Edited by: Kenneth Reaves
Reviewed by: Michael DarmontLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall: Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait XR10
“If you’re looking for a lure that’s irresistible to the bass, the Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait XR10 is definitely worth checking out. It’s a good lure, durable, and catches fish.”
Best High End: Calissa Offshore Tackle
“The Calissa Offshore Tackle 110mm is highly recommended if you’re looking for a quality lure while saving a few bucks.”
Best Finish: Strike King KVD Jerkbait
“Going for increased castability? Look no further because the Strike King KVD Jerkbait 2 Hook has the perfect combination of roll, wiggle, and flash designed especially for Spring Bass Fishing.”
Today, the avid bass fisherman has a vast array of lures at their disposal. Each particular type of lure plays its own role of significance when attempting to catch bass with a high degree of consistency.
However, few lures have gained as much notoriety for their universal value, as the jerkbait.
Jerkbaits are extremely popular, largely because of the fact that they can be fished in a multitude of ways.
Jerkbait fishing is a rather free form in nature, as anglers can retrieve such lures in any manner that they see fit, most experiencing success along the way.
There are also several varieties of jerkbaits currently available, which allows anglers to select a particular lure that best fits their style of fishing.
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Table of Contents
The 7 Best Jerkbaits for Bass Fishing (2021 Reviews)
1. Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait XR10
Best Overall:A classic lure that is extremely effective under a wide range of conditions
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KEY FEATURES
- Suspended design for consistent performance
- Streamlined profile for enhanced castability
- 10 different colors for superior versatility
The Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait should make the perfect choice for any angler who is in search of a classic lure, that has a tendency to produce bites in almost any situation. This lure is of the suspending variety, with a rated running depth of 3-8 feet.
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This lure features an integrated rattle for additional attraction and is known for its excellent castability. The Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait also comes in 10 different colors, to meet the specific needs of every angler.
2. Calissa Offshore Tackle 110mm
Best High End: Durable enough to last a lifetime
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KEY FEATURES
- Shallow running design for topwater versatility
- Corrosion-resistant composition for enhanced durability
- 12-month warranty for increased confidence
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.
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The Calissa Offshore Tackle Jerkbait comes backed by a 12-month money-back guarantee. If you are unhappy with the lure or are simply not experiencing success as expected, Calissa will refund your money, no questions asked.
3. Strike King KVD Jerkbait 2 Hook
Best Finish: A productive lure that looks as good as it performs
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KEY FEATURES
- 3D eyes for maximum appeal
- Chip-free paint for enhanced durability
- Sharp side-to-side wobble to entice reactionary strikes
The Strike King KVD Jerkbait 2 should be ideal for any angler who is in search of a lure that performs as good as it looks. This lure features 3-D eyes and is coated in chip-free paint for maximum appeal and durability.
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Many anglers are also likely to find favor in the KVD Jerkbait’s wide side-to-side travel. This erratic action should be just what is needed to entice numerous strikes during any given day on the water.
4. Rapala Husky Jerk 10
Best Budget Lure: An excellent lure, at an even better price
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KEY FEATURES
- Darting action for improved attraction
- Streamlined design for superior castability
- Integrated rattle for secondary appeal
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 10. This lure presents a notably sharp darting action, when worked, and features an integrated rattle for additional appeal.
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Like many of Rapala’s offerings, the Husky Jerk 10 is quite well known for its stellar castability. This lure should be perfect for working distant points, or for use when trolling.
5. Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait
Best For Stained Water Conditions: All the appeal you need to post your best day on the water
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KEY FEATURES
- Wave Motion Vibration technology for increased attraction
- 3D Internal Prism design for enhanced visual appeal
- Suspending action for increased strike opportunity
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.
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Many anglers should also find value in the Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait’s suspending action, which keeps the lure situated in the strike zone, thereby increasing one’s chance at success.
6. Smithwick Lures Perfect 10 Rogue
Best Deep Running Jerkbait: A deep running jerkbait that will take your angling endeavors to the next level
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KEY FEATURES
- 10+ foot diving depth for maximum versatility
- 18 different colors for multi-faceted appeal
- Erratic darting action for enhanced fish 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 Lures 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.
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The Smithwick Lures Perfect 10 Rogue also comes in a total of 18 different colors. This should provide enough variety to suit most any situation that one can encounter while on the water.
7. Rapala Ripstop 9
Best Action: An action that few bass can ignore
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KEY FEATURES
- Erratic, darting action for maximum appeal
- VMC fine wire hooks for enhanced hook-up rate
- Hardened two-piece plastic shell for maximum durability
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 bass can ignore.
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Many anglers are also likely to find favor in the Rapala Ripstop’s VMC black nickel fine wire hooks. These hooks come sharpened to a fine point and are ready to take hold of your next trophy largemouth.
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, 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 fishing a sinking or suspended jerkbait.
Picking The Perfect Lure
Selecting the perfect jerkbait for the task at hand 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, bass 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 a jerkbait that can be fished at the exact depth that bass 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.