Best Jerkbaits for Bass Fishing: 2021 Buying Guide

The Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait should make the perfect choice for any angler who is in search of classic bass lures that have a tendency to produce bites in almost any situation. It is a suspending jerkbait with a rated running depth of 3-8 feet.

The Strike King KVD Jerkbait should be ideal for any angler who is in search of a lure that performs as well as it looks. This lure features 3-D eyes and is coated in chip-free paint for maximum appeal and durability. 

If you are currently searching for a proven, true running jerkbait, at an exceptional price, then you will likely find favor in the Rapala Husky Jerk. This lure presents a notably sharp darting action, when worked, and features an integrated rattle for additional appeal.

The Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait should be the ideal choice for anglers who regularly fish in reservoirs where stained or muddy water conditions often present themselves. This lure features a 3D Internal Prism holographic exterior shell that provides significant flash, and Wave-Motion Vibration, which promotes additional attraction.

If you are seeking a jerkbait that is more than capable of diving deep to persuade even the most reluctant of bass, then the Smithwick Perfect 10 Rogue should be exactly what you have been after. This lure dives to depths of 10+ feet and presents an erratic darting action when worked.

The Rapala RipStop should be the perfect jerkbait for mid-summer use when a fast-moving lure will coax bite after bite. This lure features a snappy action, and darts erratically with even the slightest of input on behalf of an angler. This should be a look that few basses can ignore.

If you are looking for a shallow running jerkbait, that is sure to stand the test of time, then the Calissa Offshore Tackle Jerkbait should be worthy of your consideration. This lure is constructed of corrosion-resistant materials and is designed to run at depths of 1-2 feet.

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. They 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, 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. Thus, 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.

Suspending Jerkbaits

A suspending 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 to force their lure to a more profound point within the water column. Suspending 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. In addition, many anglers rig soft plastic jerkbaits in a weedless fashion to prevent hang-ups. Another critical 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 baitfish 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 specific 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 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. Generally, a slower retrieve is favored when water temperatures fall, or a cold front has just passed. On the other hand, a fast retrieve typically coaxes more 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 regularly 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 desirable to those bass fishing with a sinking or suspending 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. 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 at particular times of the year. It is an angler’s job to select the best jerk baits for bass to fish at the exact depth where they are to be found.

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