Jerkbaits are one of my favorite lures to use in the pre-spawn through spawn time of year. My preferred baits are the Smithwick Suspending Rattlin Rogues and the Rapala X-Rap jerkbaits. These lures are particularly deadly in clear water lakes with little or no wind with water temperatures below 60 degrees. 

The jerkbait is designed to hone in on a basses sense of sight. This is really a true sight bait, however both the Smithwick and the Rapala have built in rattles hidden inside an inner chambers. You would probably "not" want to use this bait in stained or murky water conditions.

Presentation is a key factor with this bait. The idea is to reel the lure down to the baits maximum depth then ‘kill it” (stop reeling). Let the bait suspend motionless in the water column for up to a minute, possibly longer. Bass will strike it when it is dead still. When jerking it, start with slack in the line and end with slack in the line. Pros will tell you to keep your rod tip pointed down towards the water. I like to do this, as well as pointing the rod tip out to the sides and down or parallel to the water. Be as erratic as possible when jerking the bait and don’t be afraid to change it up now and then. It may take a while to figure out the right cadence, let the bass tell you and take note.

Read my article on pre-spawn bass and the location of bass in pre-spawn, cold water situations. These are going to be the ideal places to look for bass using a jerkbait.

In tournaments some of the modifications I make to the bait is to add a rear treble hook with red feathers. The Rapala X-Rap comes standard with a rear treble hook with feathers, the Smithwick does not. This just adds to the motion and appeals even more to the bass’s sense of sight. I'll also use a light shad scent on the bait rubbing the scent on the body and keeping it off the feathers.

When bass strike it is often very subtle. More often than not you will just feel weight on the end of your line right after or right before you jerk the bait. Pay attention at all times. I've tried both short 5 1/2 foot rods up to 6 1/2 foot rods and like the 6 1/2 better. Simply because of the hook setting capability with a longer rod, especially if I get a strike while the bait is far out there.

JD's Rig:
Rod: 6 1/2 Sensitive, Graphite and Titanium IM7 or IM8
Reel: Shimano Curado
Line: 14 - 17 lb Stren Magnaflex
Baits: Smithwick Suspending Rattlin Rogue or Rapala X-Rap

By: JD
Lunker USA
http://www.lunkerusa.com

Links for items mentioned in article:
Rapala X-Rap
Smithwick Rattlin Rogue
All Star Rods
Shimano Curado
Stren Magnaflex 

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