Jerkbaits

Bobby bait, a popular jerkbait diver

Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits are a popular choice for many anglers because they take advantage of the fact that many larger gamefish prey on erratic swimming action of an injured fish. Jerkbaits imitates the behaviors by darting side-to-side or diving beneath the surface and floating up and the high frequency vibrations make it easy for gamefish to find.

There are two main types of jerkbaits, gliders and divers. Anglers works the gliders to have a side-to-side action and work the divers to dive down and float up. Jerkbaits are great for big pike, muskies and other good size gamefish. Jerkbaits have a lot of movement in the water produces vibrations in the water that are easily detectable by predator fish even in murky water and low-light conditions.

A common problem for anglers fishing with jerkbaits is keeping with the sweeping action while maintaing a tight line. Gamefish will often strike the bait with a slack line making it difficult to set the hook. Also, the fish may bite into the wood of the bait making it difficult to set the hook.

Fishing with Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits are a favorite with serious anglers for pike and muskie because the erratic action entices so many fish to strike. Jerkbaits are usually retrieved by downward sweeps with the rod. This is especially tactical with divers and the length and swiftness of the sweep varies for the lure or even the type of fish.

Jerkbaits typically run at just a few feet below surface. These plugs are very shallow lures rarely running more than 8 feet deep. Many anglers will weight their jerk baits to make them run deeper and slow down their float and action. This may be a good tactic for cooler waters or to reach fish at a lower depth.

Stiff powerful baitcasting tackle is recommended for these large gamefish. This will make it easy to cast and properly retrieve the heavy baits. Shorter rods, about 6 feet in lengh, work better than longer ones as longer ones will strike the water during your downward strokes. These plugs are prone to their hooks being snagged when in heavy cover. More powerful baitcasting gear will make retrieving these baits easier.

Jerkbait plugs can be weighted easily by wrapping solder wire around the hooks. This makes them less likely to float up and make them neutrally buoyant. This is a great technique for catching negative gamefish. For sinking these plugs, count the time it takes to reach a depth your fishing at. If you get a strike, use the same count to drop your bait to the same depth. You can also use floating jerkbaits as a surface lure by twitching it with your rod. Let it float back up to the surface and repeat the action.

Many anglers successfully use jerkbaits for trolling in shallow waters. Try cruising slowing along weedy shallows while making sweeps from side to side.

Retrieving Jerkbaits

To retrieve a jerkbait, start by sweeping the rod smoothly downward. For a glider, the downward sweep moves it from side to side. To start, point your rod at the bait and make a short sweep downward. While the lure is gliding to the side, reel up the slack. Point your rod back at the bait and make another sweep. At this point the bait will change direction and glide to the other side.

Diver jerkbaits operate similarly, but the downward stroke causes the diver to dive down. A longer sweep is needed here and with a little experimentation, you’ll find the right length and duration. While the diver is floating up, reel in the slack and make another sweep downward. These moves will mimic and injured minnow and make an effective bait.