There are "Two" basic types or styles of Jerkbaits
that are sold on the bassin' market today, and they would fall in the
categories 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 today's 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 an area where you would find thick floating vegetation in about
1 to 6 foot 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 an 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,
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 foot 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 water's 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 an 8 foot depth, cast it out, start your retrieve to get it
down to the desired depth, then start jerking or twitching it a few
times, then 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 it 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 covered 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 bas s 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"
Please visit my sites at:
www.capital.net/~rlbrown
www.fishing-boating.com/basscoach
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