JERKBAITS
by "The Bass Coach" (Roger Lee Brown)
There are "Two" basic types or styles of
Jerkbaits that are sold on the bassin' market today, and they would fall
in the catgories of "Hard-Jerkbaits" and "Soft-Jerkbaits." The "Soft-Jerkbaits" type
or style would cover the soft-plastic baits such as; Bass Assassins,
Squids,
Slug-O's,
Dartin' Shads, Skuirmin' Jerks, Flukes, Flappin' Shads, Etc...... And the "Hard-Jerkbaits" type
or style would cover the hard plastic or even wood types such as; Rapala's
Husky Jerk, Jointed-Minnows, Floating Minnows, Smithwick's Rogues, Bomber's
Long-A's, Rebel's Minnows, Bagley's Ratlin' Twitcher, etc...... and there
many, many, more of these same type of baits made from different manufacturers
that would fall under this category.
Jerkbaits, without question would definitely fall in
the "Top-10" category
of all artificial baits used by Tournament Anglers in today's bass fishing mostly
because these types of baits have proven themselves over and over to not
only catch bass in numbers, but they catch quality bass as well. One of
the primary reasons that these baits are used by so many anglers is because
Jerkbaits are considered to be one of the more versatile types of baits
on todays market and can literally be fished just about anywhere at any
time. There are many different techniques and presentations you can use
when fishing with a Jerkbait, I'll explain a few of the more popular presentations
in hopes to help you increase your success rate when it comes to catching
bass.
First of all, I'll cover some of the more popular techniques
for "Top
Water Fishing" while using these Jerkbaits. Let's say that you pull
up into a area where you would find thick floating vegetation in about
1 to 6' depth of water, and this vegetation is covering the surface with
very little exposed open water pockets, a "Soft-Jerkbait" would
be the preferred Jerkbait to use in a situation like this simply because
of the "Weedless Rigging" it allows you to use to keep from getting
caught on the vegetation. In a area such as this, you would rig the "Soft-Jerkbait" without
any added weight at all and rig it as a "Texas-Rig" using a wide
gap hook. Now you're ready for business!..... Cast the bait into the midst
of the vegetation and make short twitches periodically letting the bait
lay still on top of the vegetation, then keep repeating this technique
all the way back to the boat. If you don't have any vegetation on your
body of water, then cast the bait over submerged structure areas.
Now, let's say that you are into an area that has scattered
vegetation with pockets of open water at the same depth, you can use
either a Soft or a Hard Jerkbait!, but keep in mind that a Hard-Jerkbait" has
exposed hooks already fastened to the bait (which means it is easy for
the bait
to get caught-up on this vegetation). With either bait, cast it into these
open pockets of water, make a couple of small sharp twitches, then let
it lay
still for a moment. Usually after the bait lays still, usually the first
twitch after this still period is mostly the time when a bass will strike!,
so
be ready.
Or in this same area (using a Soft-Jerkbait), add a little weight to the
bait to where the bait will slowly drop to the bottom. Again, let it lay
there
for a moment, then make a couple of small sharp twitches lifting the bait
back up to the surface and let it drop again. You will find that this technique can
be very rewarding if you give it a try. This technique will work around
structure, rip-rap, docks, fall-downs, bank edges, trees, stump areas,
and just about any areas fishable.
Now, let's move out into deeper water areas to where
you may have 6 to 10' depths. These same techniques already mentioned
for surface and sub-surface patterns will work just as well in this deeper
water (especially around and on top of submerged structure and vegetation),
but now let's fish a little deeper with these baits. In the case of the "Hard-Jerkbait",
select one that suspends and or has a diving-bill on the front of it to
get it down under the waters surface. Most of these "Hard-Jerkbaits" will
be made for the depth of water you choose to fish (the bigger the front
bill, the deeper it will go). Now, choose one for a 8' depth, cast it out,
start your retrieve to get it down to the desired depth, then start jerking
or
twitching
it a few times than let it lay motionless for a moment. Keep repeating
this technique all the way back to the boat, however, when the bass are
more active, you can just twitch and jerk the bait all the way back to
the boat without any pause. One factor to always remember when bass fishing
is: Always let the bass dictate how they want the presentation!" Now,
let's use a "Soft-Jerkbait" in this same area. To get the "Soft-Jerkbait" down
in deeper depths you can rig it actually three different ways. 1. A Texas-rig
with a front weight. 2. A Straight-rig with a pencil weight, or nail weight inserted
into the bait itself. 3. A Carolina-rig with the bait free floating attached
to the leader line of this weighted rig. Either three of these riggings
will allow you to work these "Soft-Jerkbaits at deeper depths.
Although I've cover some of the basic presentations
with these Jerkbaits, there are many more! I would be happy to answer
any questions that you may have concerning bass fishing in general. I
teach many students at my 3-Day "On-Water" Bass
Fishing School all phases of recreational as well as tournament fishing
techniques with a focus on "Individual Personalized
Instruction." If you want to be much more successful about bass fishing,
contact me for information about this 3-Day "On-Water" Bass
Fishing School........ Until Next Time!
Take Care & God Bless!....."The Bass Coach"
www.capital.net/~rlbrown and www.fishing-boating.com/basscoach
(518) 597-4240
