Tuning A Jerkbait

[drs7558]

OK, I haven't been much of a jerkbait fisherman in the past. I have several jerkbaits, I just don't use them very much. Just bought a MagaBass, and thought, for as much money as they cost, it shouldn't need much tuning. Wrong. I filled up the slop sink (I've never done this before) with cold water, held it under water, so it would suspend. It went straight to bottom , nose first. Tried several of the other baits, the only one that would actually suspend was a Rapala.

I thought that if you held these baits under water they should suspend, not sink or rise. Am I right? If so, what is the best way to tune the bait, so you can be reasonable sure its suspending after you make your long cast, crank it down 7 or 8 feet(?) and let it sit for awhile, instead of thinking that the bait is sinking to the trees or rising to the surface. Thanks for your help.

[Jerry Rapp]

in another jerkbait post below someone mentioned that a jerk bait suspends much differently when tied to the line. I agree 100%. Take them to the lake, a pond, or such with semi clear water and watch how they perform in action. Even sinking flouro line will provide some resistence to sinking. It seems like the Table Rock gurus like them to sink slow. The Lake of the Ozarks gurus always wanted them to stay motionless. I would guess it is all in ones mind. I have seen dieing shad flip on top, sink, or suspend.

[Jacob W]

Jerkbaits really suspend better when the water is at least 44 degrees. Through it on mono line and it will catch a fish.

[RSBreth]

Water density changes with temperature so it's hard to get a lure to suspend perfectly without adding weight. I'm one that likes a lure to sit perfeclty suspended so if a lure sinks in very cold water I send it back. Storm suspend dots or strips are great for tuning lures but I like lead wire (for flytying) wrapped around a hook better.

[Gavin]

Tossing em in the sink does not tell you much....basic lure balance mostly...how it compares to other proven fish catchers of the same make and model....its a start...gotta get them wet to see what they do....and adjust if necessary...We had a good discussion in the Beaver Lake forum this week..

Buy some dots, strips, and some lead wire..adjust as needed....check out RSBreth's blog too...some good insight there.

[Martin]

IMHO, You have to crank it down to it's diving depth, and watch it.....A sink isn't deep enough to tell anything.....

[gitnby]

I always wondered why nobody invented a jerkbait with a small water chamber that ran the length between the 2 trebles? Put a removable stopper or cap over the hole and fill it with lake water as needed to get the right weight? Wouldn't even need the BB's, as the sloshing water inside the lure would give you a sound attractant.

Years ago, I had a small crack in a mega wiggle wart that I was using at LOZ. It would fill with water after a few casts and would suspend perfectly. Caught a bunch with that lure until a stump ate it.

[Hughesy]

I always wondered why nobody invented a jerkbait with a small water chamber that ran the length between the 2 trebles? Put a removable stopper or cap over the hole and fill it with lake water as needed to get the right weight? Wouldn't even need the BB's, as the sloshing water inside the lure would give you a sound attractant.

Years ago, I had a small crack in a mega wiggle wart that I was using at LOZ. It would fill with water after a few casts and would suspend perfectly. Caught a bunch with that lure until a stump ate it.

Rick Clunn designed a jerkbait years ago that you fill with water. Check it out http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221185200264&item=221185200264&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466

[riverfish]

some of the ol timers on table rock used to play that little water trick with the old rogues it does work, little more time consuming that lead wire but it works

[gitnby]

Rick Clunn designed a jerkbait years ago that you fill with water. Check it out http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221185200264&item=221185200264&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466

Darn! And I was going to make millions with that idea!

I guess I'll have to focus on my 3 wire parallel FB jig (A-rig style)

I actually have played around with this. I take a 3 wire A-rig and shave off most of the weighted head.

I put 2 FB jigs & trailers side by side and bend up the 3rd wire to run up above with either a weightless floating worm or fluke.

The weight of the FB jigs keeps the rig upright and it looks pretty awesome in the water.

Caught a few last Fall with it.

I guess I'll call it an M-rig? (Mizzurah)