I spend quite a bit of time with a suspending jerkbait tied to the end of my line from late autumn through early spring for the simple reason that these lures produce very well when the water is cool to cold. Jerkbaits effectively imitate winter-chilled baitfish, and presentations can be slowed way down, but with the lure kept in the strike zone.
In truth a good jerkbait has year-round appeal. Anglers fishing with forward facing sonar who can watch how fish react to different lures and presentations have increasingly realized the versatility of this style of bait. I use them mostly during the cool months, though.
Part of a jerkbait’s high value to me is the broad appeal to different species and in various situations. I mostly fish them for bass in waters around home, but that could be largemouth bass, spotted bass, shoal bass or something else, and I could be on a pond bank, out on a major reservoir or wading a rocky river. The BOOYAH Flash Point Jr, my current favorite suspending jerkbait, is at home on any of those situations.
Beyond bass around here, a jerkbait is tough to top for winter brown trout in waters where browns grow large, and there’s nothing I enjoy throwing more than a jerkbait in inshore saltwater areas for speckled trout and redfish. It’s also great pick for stripers, walleyes and more.
Jerkbait Presentations
Through the cooler months, a jerkbait’s suspending pause in the key to its productivity. With jerks or twitches of the rod tip the lure darts, dances and dives to its running depth. Paused, it doesn’t pop back up. Instead, it hangs in place enticingly or drifts suspended in the current.
This looks natural to predator fish, which are used to seeing baitfish that are moving slowly or holding in place. It also keeps the lure close to interested fish, which don’t want to waste calories chasing would-be meals.
The basic presentation is to snap the rod tip to engage the action, often with two or three consecutive snaps, and then to pause and let the lure suspend. The key to maximizing success is figuring out the right sharpness and length of tugs, the winning cadence and the best length of pause, which can be painfully long this time of year. It’s critical to experiment and pay attention to what prompts the fish to respond.
No comments:
Post a Comment