 With
so many lures available on the market today, it is often
a daunting task to decide what is good for a particular
situation, time of day, water clarity and temperature.
The jerkbait is a lure that can produce quality fish for
almost all situations, in both still and moving water.
What is more, the adaptability of this bait makes it a
"go to" when crankbaits or spinnerbaits are
not producing.
Jerkbaits (sometimes referred to as stickbaits) average
6 to 8 inches in length and are shaped like a slim cigar,
sometimes straight, sometimes slightly curved or you may
find them with a jointed mid-section. Not to be confused
with top water lures, jerkbaits have a small lip, which
assists in the diving process.
With the use of adhesive lead dots or strip weights and
water fillable apertures, these lures can be adjusted
to any depth, giving an "in your face" presentation,
something a bass cannot resist. Several types are available
on the market, however few of them offer versatility or
"out of the pack" performance with (in my opinion)
the exception of Norman Lures and Rapala the use of which
I will detail after I have explained the tackle and types
of retrieve.
Lure retrieval is dependent upon location. In deep water,
I prefer to cast with a 6 and a half to 7 foot medium-heavy
action pole as far as I possibly can, then immediately
crank the reel to make the lure dive. Remember, the more
you crank, the deeper the bait will travel. It is important
to note that the deeper you crank, the less time you will
have to keep the lure at the optimum depth, as you are
not only diving the lure, but bringing it back towards
you. This will shorten the life of the presentation, so
accuracy is critical and long casts are vital. Light line
will aid you in the speed at which the lure dives. I prefer
12 to 15 pound test for this application. Reel ratio is
not so important as mentioned in previous articles, however
for my own use, I personally prefer a lower 4.5 to 1 ratio.
I like to leave the lure motionless for at least 10 seconds
before I twitch the lure and retrieve two or three turns
of line onto the reel. This should be repeated until the
lure is back at the boat. Watch for fish to follow the
lure also. I have caught bass right under the boat when
they strike the lure as it moves upwards to the surface.
If this method does not produce strikes (usually on the
pause) I like to drag the lure with a sweeping motion
and return the rod tip towards the lure retrieving line
as I do so, thereby keeping in constant contact with the
lure. Again, strikes will usually occur on the pause or
as you begin the retrieve.
For shallow water, a shorter 6-foot to 6 and a half foot
pole, is best with a medium heavy action. Heavier line
will keep the lure higher in the water and will help minimize
snagging the tops of weedbeds or submerged bushes. The
retrieves remain the same, however I speed up the presentation,
as the bass tend to get a better look at the lure in shallow
water than they do in the darker depths.
As mentioned, the two lures I would use for this application,
as are follows:
Norman's RIP-N-RIC are water fillable, using a small syringe
supplied with the lures. Injecting small amounts of water
gives neutral buoyancy to the lure when cranked to the
desired depth. I will occasionally add lead adhesive weights
to these lures if I need a rapid fall, especially in moving
water, where the strike zone is only accessible for a
limited time.
Rapala lures require little or no adjustment as they suspend
when you stop turning the reel or pause on a sweeping
rod movement, they do rise very, very slowly when you
stop reeling. I occasionally like to add even amounts
of lead to the head and tail usually around the hook mounting,
to ensure stability and balance. The only major change
I will ever make to any store purchased lure, is to remove
the hooks and replace them with higher graded hooks such
as Gamakatsu if they are not already equipped.
So next time the fishing
slows down, try a jerkbait. I have on occasion caught
two fish at once on these long lures which I can only
describe as awesome
Tight Lines!
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