Spring 2020
page 54
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making use for jerkbaits as comfortable as possible. A smooth drag is also important to complement the parabolic rod bend in defeating the largest of bass. Set the drag light enough to give line upon the hook strike.
OH SNAP
Probably the most overlooked and under- utilized secret to catching more and bigger jerkbait bass is the rod snap (or jerk) imparted to the lure. Most know that a sharp wrist snap imparts the appeal of a jerkbait, but they think of the jerk as a singular action. I contend that the jerk works better when imparted as a two-part action.
First, the sharp downward wrist snap that allows the rod to bend and the jerkbait to jump forward, followed by a quick but deliberate move of the rod tip back to the lure.
This quick snap of the wrist back to the lure throws just enough slack in the line to make the jerkbait suddenly stop and turn sideways. This is when the big bass inhale the jerkbait and crush it!
If you have any doubt, look at the video embedded in this article. This late fall Lake Casitas bass fully inhaled my Pointer 78 just after throwing the rod tip back to the lure after a jerk, illustrating the results you can achieve when integrating all your tackle to the intended purpose.
Don’t worry nearly as much over your rhythm when working the lure. Try different cadences and
speed, as some days one method works better than others, but if you focus on immediately pushing your rod tip back to the lure after each snap, you will catch bass regardless of the rhythm you choose.
Typically, you cannot go wrong with a rhythm that includes a jerk, then a double jerk, and then repeated.
Always keep turning your reel handles to keep pace with the forward movement of the lure, removing the slack created by the jerk, but don’t forget to immediately push that rod tip back to the lure after each jerk.
SNAPS OR RINGS
Another helpful tip is the use of a stainless-steel snap in place of the included split ring at the nose of the lure. I prefer a snap because it provides multiple subtle, but important, advantages.
Split rings are a double wire that contacts the single
wire of the lure’s attachment eye.
A single wire snap contacting the single wire
eye provides more lure freedom of movement
due to less friction. It also allows for a safer knot
connection as there is no sharp wire edge like
there is on a split ring
to cut the knot.
A snap also
makes changing the
lure easy and quick,
which is a good
practice to dial-in
what color or style
works best for the
conditions.
These tips will
make you deadly with
a jerkbait.
Optimizing your tackle will help save your wrists from tiring when working the lure. Instead, they will be tired from hauling in big bass!
Ciao, Marc Marcantonio. •