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
