The 7 Best Jerkbaits for Bass Fishing (2021 Reviews)

Types of Jerkbaits 

Jerkbaits come in two main varieties, hard jerkbaits, and soft-plastic jerkbaits. However, several additional subsets of hard plastic jerkbaits are also available.

Hard Jerkbaits

Hard jerkbaits are constructed from wood or synthetic materials such as plastic. Lures of this type typically feature 2-3 treble hooks, to increase the odds of a successful hookset. Hard jerkbaits are known for their innate durability, and tendency to be easily cast at length. These lures also tend to display a boisterous, yet uniform action, due to their long, slender profile.

Floating Jerkbaits

One of the most popular types of hard jerkbait is that of the floating variety. These jerkbaits sit atop the water’s surface until an angler places their rod into motion. As a rod tip is swept, a floating jerkbait will begin to dive below the water. However, as rod motion ceases, a floating crankbait returns to the surface.

Sinking Jerkbaits

Sinking jerkbaits fall through the water column until acted upon via an angler’s rod movement. Jerkbaits of this variety sink at a specified rate, which is most often notated on such a lure’s packaging. This figure is known as the lure’s sink rate and is cited in the form of feet per second. An angler can fish a sinking jerkbait at a particular depth, by simply counting as the lure sinks, and multiply each second by its listed sink rate figure.

Suspended Jerkbaits

A suspended jerkbait is designed to fall a short distance below the water’s surface, where it will remain in a state of neutral buoyancy. An angler can then sweep their rod tip at a low angle, in order to force their lure to a deeper point within the water column. Suspended jerkbaits are a favorite of those who attempt to pick off suspended bass, as they stage at various depths.

Soft Plastic Jerkbaits

The second primary type of jerkbait is that which is constructed of a rubbery, soft plastic composition. Jerkbaits of this type can be rigged and waited however an angler sees fit, to achieve a desired diving depth and presentation. Many anglers rig soft plastic jerkbaits in a weedless fashion, in order to prevent hang-ups. Another key characteristic of soft plastic jerkbaits is their lively action. Due to such a lure’s pliable construction, a notable amount of tail flutter can be observed, when a soft plastic jerkbait is retrieved.

Guide to Jerkbait Fishing

Jerkbaits are designed to mimic the actions of baitfish. However, just as bait fish swim at different speeds and dive to various depths, bass jerkbaits can also be presented in many different ways. In essence, there is no true way to incorrectly fish a jerkbait, although certain tactics do tend to produce better results than others.

The most popular jerkbait presentation is that which relates to the jerk/sweep and reel method. When fishing a jerkbait in this manner, an angler simply sweeps their rod tip away from their lure’s rotation and then reels up excess line slack when moving their rod back to its prior location. This process is then repeated until all lines are retrieved, or a strike is detected.

The speed of this presentation ultimately determines the likelihood and frequency of strikes. However, the perfect retrieve speed varies from season to season and day to day. As a general rule, a slower retrieve is favored when water temperatures begin to fall, or when a cold front has just passed. On the other hand, a fast retrieve typically coaxes a higher number of strikes when water temperatures are on the rise.

The Right Gear For The Job

Most anglers utilize a rod of short to medium length when jerkbait fishing, most often within the 6’-7’ foot range. Both spinning reels and baitcasting reels are acceptable for use when jerkbait fishing. However, baitcaster reels tend to be a crowd favorite when fishing longer, full-size jerkbaits, while spinning reels are typically reserved for use when fishing jerkbaits of a smaller size.

Both fluorocarbon and monofilament lines are used with regularity when fishing a jerkbait, though one should base their selection of line upon the type of jerkbait that is to be fished. Monofilament is a wonderful choice when fishing a floating jerkbait as lines of this nature are naturally buoyant.

However, fluorocarbon’s tendency to sink is especially attractive to those bass fishing with a sinking or suspended jerkbait.

Picking The Perfect Lure

Selecting the perfect jerkbait to catch bass is a matter of understanding the depth and location of resident bass on the given body of water that is being fished. At particular times of the year, they can be found suspended just above the lake bed, staging at various depths in the water column, or chasing shad right beneath the water’s surface. It is an angler’s job to select the best jerk baits for bass that can be fished at the exact depth where they are to be found.

When bass are following shad migrations, the use of a floating jerkbait can pay dividends. However, a suspended or sinking jerkbait tends to be most effective when bass are holding at differing depths within the water column. When this is the case, a sinking jerkbait can be counted down to a certain depth, in order to reach any bass that is staging at that point. When one has little idea of how the bass of a given lake are relating to structure and depth, a suspending jerkbait makes an excellent choice.