IMA Flit Jerkbait
example, mud to gravel or red clay to rock.
Shallow fish are feeders, getting them to bite with a reaction bait is best. Heavier baits, such as a bigger jerkbait will produce bites from the bigger fish and also help get your baits down deeper. When the sun is up and shadows form on the water, go lighter and finesse. A darter head is very hard to beat for spotted bass in deep reservoirs.
JERKBAITS vs. RIPBAITS
First off, let’s start by defining a rip bait versus a jerkbait. In simplest terms, jerkbaits are usually smaller with rounder bills providing a tighter wobble. Rip baits have a bigger bill and are more erratic with wider swings. For simplicity of this article, I’m going to refer to both as a jerkbait. Be aware of the difference when you see the many types and try to choose the right one for your situation.
There are many different brands and types, each brand will give their bait a different presentation. Jerkbaits should point head slightly downward and there are tricks to getting it to do so,
WINTER 2016
if it doesn’t out of the package. Adding a bigger front hook, an extra split ring to the front hook, or even weight tape can the lure into the right position. The position of weight tape or dots will alter the action. Research where and how to them to maximize their use with your own baits.
Some important tips to remember, always jerk
on slack line, a taught line will cause the bait to
continue to move even when that is not the
intent. On a slack line, the bait will suspend
– which is often when the bite occurs.
Since the line is slack, keeping an eye on
it is very important to detect strikes.
Patience, patience, patience!
Letting the bait sit, can invoke a
strike.
To fish a jerkbait, cast out
making sure to get a good
distance. After the cast, reel
the bait down to its ideal depth
and let sit. Then on slack line,
give the bait two jerks, pause
on slack line, reel in a little
and jerk again then pause
and repeat. Play with pause
times and jerk rhythms until
you get bites to know what
the fish want that day.
With windy days and
choppy water go with
brighter, shiny color
patters. Calm, clear days
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