Jerkbait Beginner: Need Tips

[GBpackerfan]

Hi all!

I've seen a lot of info out there regarding jerkbait fishing being one of the best coldwater and/or pre-spawn fishing techniques. Problem is, I find it very difficult to detect bites.

• I use a Bass Pro Crankin Stick with an Abu Garcia Revo S and 12lb 100% fluorocarbon line
  
• I know the key is to jerk, jerk, then pause (and pause for 20-30sec) or, be erratic with the jerks. Either way, key is long pauses.
  
• With this technique, it is written in many tips that sometimes the bass slowly swallows the bait and just sits there, or slowly swims away
  

Will I ever feel that "tunk, tunk", or do I just have to get used to this?

[FishinCricket]

Watch your line... And yeah, get used to it.

[exiledguide]

Wait wait wait wait wait...........etc. Once you start catching fish waiting on a jerkbait it becomes easier to wait. my suggestion, if you want to learn to fish a jerkbait is to fish with someone who likes to fish one and only bring jerkbaits so you are forced touse them. If you maintain youre sanity, and actualy start catching fish with them you can catch a lot of fish with them but probably no one will want to fish with you anymore...... also not all jerkbait bites are soft I've had some bass hit it as hard as a Northern.

[Guest]

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[cullinby9]

If you want to get the best action out of your bait downsize your line first I throw 8 when its cold will go up to ten the closer to the spawn it gets. The cadence will vary day to day at Tablerock I fish it much faster than I do at lake of the ozarks. I know the water clarity being better the more flash the farther those fish will come to eat. I fish the shallow baits like pointer 100 or vision110 on six foot pistol grip medium bps crankin stick for the staysse's and deep diving pointers I use a 7 ft medium heavy crankin stick. Alot of the times at lake O your fishing around chunky points and isolated brush this lends itself to much longer pauses. For me I will soak the bait up to a min. if I know I'm right on top of a pile or a boulder. Some days its just the fish tightning up the line other time they try to pull the rod out of your hand. when the weather is crappy go throw that thing all day might not get alot of bites but there's is not much need for a measruing board. I know I'm ready today would be perfect down here on Tablerock for it.

[Gavin]

Helps if you learn to use one in clear water so you can see what the bait does. Pay attention to how it the bait sits in the water,...slow float, slow sink, nose up, tail down, level....You may have to add a bit of weight to the nose or tail get it to do what you want...Then pay attention to how it reacts to different rod actions, jerks, sweeps, pulls, twitches, and how it works on a steady retrieve. I usually play around with a new bait in my swimming pool before I fish it.

Jerk it down and pause, The fish will let you know how long...sometimes they want it fast, sometimes painfully slow.... Make sure you feed a little slack back after your jerk, sweep, or twitch the bait...and watch your line like Cricket said. Have fun!

[tjulianc]

I don't know if there is a right and wrong way, whatever works for you keep doing it. But for me I prefer the lighter weight and more sensitive graphite rods with a fast action tip for jerkbaits. And since I prefer my rod tip pointed down, I like a shorter rod, so something 6'6" or shorter. I think the type reel is just a matter of preference, but I like to fish it with a baitcaster, unless it is very windy or I'm fishing one of the smaller jerkbaits.

[Al Agnew]

First of all, keep the hooks on a jerkbait as sharp as possible. You won't detect every strike right away, but if the hooks are sticky-sharp, the fish has a harder time expelling the bait while you're sitting there wondering if anything has it. I've fished jerkbaits quite a bit and I still end up hooking some fish when I do the next jerk and discover the fish is on it.

As a general rule, the warmer the water the quicker and more aggressive you can jerk it. I'm an impatient jerkbait angler, and unless the water is really cold, like the low 40s or below, I seldom let the lure sit for more than 5 seconds between jerks. But I've done enough fishing in cold, clear winter rivers where I can see the bait and see the fish to know that sometimes they just stare at it for a long time before mouthing it.

[DChance]

My suggestions would be to start with setup. I am not sure a cranking stick is your best option. I would opt for a 6'6"med action rod. This will also be easier on your wrist. I would go to even smaller line like 10 lb. then before you even start fishing est your bait in the water to be sure it suspends. I like a little nose down and very slow sink in cold of winter. Then you can cast. Jerk jerk pause and like said earlier experiment with cadence. Rule of thumb though is the shorter the pause the smaller the fish. WATCH YOUR LINE

[FishinCricket]

"As a general rule, the warmer the water the quicker and more aggressive you can jerk it."

Thanks Al!! Classic quote.. lol