Throwing a jerkbait most of the day

[jbadrian]

I really tried to commit to throwing jerk baits most of the day today. I don't get to come down and fish very often so I have a hard time trying something different. I must say I have a few thoughts after a day of doing it. 

1. my wrist is tired.

2. how can a fish hit a lure with 9 hooks on it and not get hooked?

3. Just down from the Acacia club boat ramp I had one hit it, I set the hook, immediately the drag screamed for about 2 seconds then pop the line snapped. I assume that poor trout will be stuck wearing my jerkbait forever?

4. I cought more "small fish" than I expected on such a big bait. 

5. I did catch good sized fish. I ended the day with 5 over 18"

6. Phil was coming home from one cast and told me I was getting closer to a hotspot for throwing the jerk baits. As he was throttling up I set the hook on my first brown I have ever caught on Taneycomo. He wasn't a monster but at 15.5" he sure made me happy.

What pound test line do you guys typically use for throwing the jerk baits? Do you prefer Mono or flouro for it?

 

I had a heck of a lot of fun today. I sure wish I made it down here more than once every other year.

 

[Travis Swift]

I use 6 pound on spinning rods and 8 pound on casting rods.  I use Pline CXX.  I prefer to throw them with 2 units running or more usually but i'll throw it anytime.  Late and early in the day (low light) are by far the best times to throw them in my opinion.  Back in the 90's when very few of us were throwing them I thought the fishing was substantially better on them than it is now with them.  Seems like now about every 3rd boat you see is throwing them, especially on the bank.  I will say this though, the fish you catch on them now are way way better than they were in the 90's.  The fish are as healthy as I've ever seen in that lake in 35+years of fishing it.  One other observation is back in the 90's we almost never caught a rainbow on a jerkbait, it was almost unheard of but now the Rainbows really slam them.  Sounds like you had an awesome day!  The one you broke off there is a chance you had it in the back too, I caught several a couple of weeks ago in the back because they were just swiping at it to kill it and man when you hook them all heck broke lose for a few seconds.  Congrats on a great day and your first Brownie, it's a beautiful fish!! 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Yeah your wrist is gonna hurt.  Sounds like you had a good day.  I agree with @Travis Swift, lots of people throw them now.  Used to get funny looks years ago throwing them...

[trythisonemv]

I'm still wanting to take the long rod a try the big flies like this. . . If only I had time and a boat '! Great report good questions and glad you had a good learning trip!

[JestersHK]

7 hours ago, trythisonemv said:

I'm still wanting to take the long rod a try the big flies like this. . . If only I had time and a boat '! Great report good questions and glad you had a good learning trip!

I threw some of Billetheads clousers that he uses for white bass last time I was down and had pretty good luck.  I think big articulated streamers stripped aggressive and fast would work. 

Congrats on the successful trip.  You really do have to mentally stick with it.  It's tough, but you're not fishing for numbers just waiting for that big bite. 

Im still trying to figure out as well how they can hit so hard and avoid getting hooked. I've had them hit hard enough to rip my hand off the reel handle... those hurt when you don't the hook up as it takes a big one to do that usually...