Choosing The Right Jerkbaitand Methods To Use Them

[Al Agnew]

When it comes to jerkbaits, I'm in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp. The Pointer 78 and 78 DD work for me, and I seldom throw anything else. I own one Pointer 65 DD, and have yet to put it on a rod. I bought a cheaper version the other day...a Strike King I think it was, about the size and shape of the Pointer 78, and had to put a little weight on it to make it suspend. Haven't thrown it yet, either. Bought a new one today, don't remember what it is and it's in the tackle box now. We'll see if I actually throw it. I might use one of the X-Raps that I carry around if the water is a little warmer and I think the bass want it more aggressively fished, but I probably won't throw it any more this year.

I know how the Pointers suspend, how deep they go, and what they do with various kinds of rod movement, so I can fish them with confidence. I've always got a DD and a regular one tied on different rods, fishing the regular one in water that's no more than 6 or 7 feet, the deeper version in water deeper than that. I usually use a more translucent color in clear water and a more opaque one in water with some color. And that's about the extent of variety of jerkbaits for me...except that I repaint a lot of mine, either to lighten the color on the back so I can see it better in clear water, or to cut down a bit on the chrome and bright yellow on the clown color, or to lessen the transparency of the really clear colors. The chartreuse shad color is about the only color I use straight out of the box.

[Mitch f]

Hey Al, are you talking about that new KVD jerk bait? They look pretty nice. I know Kevin Van Dam designed them to twitch very hard starting with a slack line. I've got one but haven't used it yet

[LittleRedFisherman]

Mitch, let us know how you like those Vision 95's, might be good to have one with a different action in the Arsenal!

[Al Agnew]

Hey Al, are you talking about that new KVD jerk bait? They look pretty nice. I know Kevin Van Dam designed them to twitch very hard starting with a slack line. I've got one but haven't used it yet

Yeah, that's the one. Nice looking bait, looking forward to trying it in the water.

[Gavin]

Tried a few KVD's last year and lost them in short order...they run deeper, or get there quicker than most of the minnow baits I toss. Might try a few more...The action looked good, and the hooks were OK.

[Mitch f]

Tried a few KVD's last year and lost them in short order...they run deeper, or get there quicker than most of the minnow baits I toss. Might try a few more...The action looked good, and the hooks were OK.

Got to admit I'm pretty impressed with all the KVD products made by Strike King. All well thought out and work well. A little extra depth is nice actually!

Little Red- will do, I've always liked a rolling/ flashing action.

[Guest]

I take a stock Smithwick rattling rogue, repaint it.

Then add a layer of clearcoat (epoxy).

This adds a little bit of weight, making it easier to cast in the wind.

It dives slightly deeper, keeps its original action.

Doesnt break the pocketbook.

[Guest]

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[bfishn]

I don't always use jerkbaits...

...but when I do, I jerk a super rogue. Six 'eyes over 10lb agree.

[Guest]

I think you can use full size jerkbaits on these creek bass, as long as there are big chubs, shiners, or gizzard shad in the area.

I saw hundreds of gizzard shad on the elk last weekend. That's what got me to thinking about the jerkbait.