22 Feb 2 - 16 , 2018

VOL . 37 • ISS . 04

you need to pause 10 , 20 , 30 , or even 50 seconds between jerk-strokes . It ’ s painful to fish that way — and I hate it — but sometimes that ’ s the only way you ’ re going to get bit in cold water . Other times , fish may want the bait fished more aggressively .

Lesson # 5 : Apples and oranges - The best way to fish a jerkbait can also depend on target species . In this particular tournament we were targeting largemouths , and I mention that because smallmouths and largemouths seem to react differently to how jerkbaits are fished . In some cases it can really be apples and oranges . My experience is smallmouths typically want the bait fished with more aggressive strokes , while largies prefer jerkbaits fished slow . Still , on most days , you ’ ll need to let the fish tell you what you what they want .

Lesson # 6 : Rod Length - I ’ m 6 ’ 2 ” and I fish out of a Ranger 620FS , so I ’ m a little higher off the water when I ’ m fishing off the deck . So , depending on your height and your boat , the key is to look for a rod that is long enough that you can fish the bait with a downstroke without the rod tip getting wet . My go-to rod ( an Abu Villain ) measures 7 feet and features a soft tip . I like a long rod ; I can pick up line faster , and it gives me a little more control of the fish during the fight .

Lesson # 7 : Rod power / action - For larger jerkbaits , I prefer a medium-power baitcasting rod , which is 90 % of the time .

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But for finesse situations in clear , heavilypressured waters , I will step down in bait size and use a spinning rod . But no matter which you choose , the rod should have enough backbone to move the jerkbait . I like a 7 ’ medium-action rod with a softer tip , which allows slower bait movement at the start of each rip ( doesn ’ t seem to spook as many fish ). A softer tip is more forgiving with hooked fish ; you ’ ll land more fish .

Lesson # 8 : Line choice - I ’ m usually throwing jerkbaits on 8- , 10- or 12-lb . Berkley Trilene 100 % Fluorocarbon . First , it ’ s a little stiffer than mono to prevent the bait from hooking itself on your line . Secondly , because fluorocarbon sinks , that little extra weight can help keep baits down . Lastly , the near-invisibility of fluorocarbon puts the odds in your favor on clear waters . Fish that move 10 , 20 , 30 feet or more to hit a bait can be line shy .

The exception to the rule comes when fishing long pauses . There may be times when heavier fluoro can cause certain baits to nose-dip . In those cases , I may switch to neutrally-buoyant monofilament to keep baits horizontal .

Lesson # 9 : Examine how fish are hooked - Which jerkbait hook you catch the fish on can tell you a lot . If you ’ re catching bass barely hooked via the rear jerkbait hook , chances are fish aren ’ t in love with what you ’ re doing . So , you may want to look at your presentation . Are you fishing with the right color ? Am I fishing it too fast ? Not fast enough ? The best bites are those when the front or front and rear hooks end up in the bass ’ mouth . I ’ ll start by trying different colors if I get several fish on the back hook .

Lesson # 10 : Colors - In clear water , I like more natural patterns , those translucent finish options in silver or natural forage patterns . But there are times when it seems smallmouths react better to bright baits with chartreuse and oranges . So , start with more natural patterns and see what the fish prefer .

Lesson # 11 : Bait choice - There are a lot of great jerkbaits on the market , but I ’ m most excited about Berkley ’ s new Cutter Series , designed by David Fritts , and fished by pros like Justin Lucas , Josh Bertrand , Gary Klein and Scott Suggs .

Unlike most jerkbaits , the three baits in the Cutter Series feature a coffin-style bill — a complete departure from traditional jerkbait design — for an action all their own . It ’ s almost like an underwater walk-the-dog with a slight side-to-side roll . And bass crush ‘ em .

The Cutter 110 + is a beefy , standardsize jerkbait ; the Skinny Cutter 110 + has a similar length but thinner profile ; and the Cutter 90 + has only two treble hooks -- the perfect jerkbait for finesse situations . Each

This beautiful smallmouth jumped all over a suspending minnow plug . Photo courtesy of BERKLEY FISHING .

comes in 12 finishes and features Berkley ’ s new Fusion 19 hooks , which are sticky sharp .

My go-to bait is the 110 + but there are times when downsizing to the 90 + is simply the best way to get bit .

Parting Thoughts

Really , the best way to learn how to fish a jerkbait is to leave the dock with a small sample of jerkbaits – and commit to yourself to fish only those baits for the day . It ’ s even better to have two anglers in the boat : one fishing fast , the other fishing slow ; one fishing natural colors , the other bright colors ; one fishing a larger bait , one a smaller bait ; and so forth .

What will happen is you ’ ll start figuring out little patterns in the patterns .

Finally , although we ’ re focused on early-season cold water right now , keep in mind that jerkbaits are incredibly versatile . Sure , they ’ re a great spring , fall and winter bait , but can perform in warm-water situations , too !

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each hit .

Rough Water Mode -- In heavy chop , activate Rough Water Mode , which performs three Auto-Drive sequences at 10 second intervals for an even stronger hold .

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Track anchor depth at a glance , with LED lights on the unit that quickly show you how far down you ’ re deployed in one foot increments .

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