Choosing The Right Jerkbait For Bass Fishing

Jerkbaits are a great way to chase after bass. Their design makes them ideal for getting below the surface of the water and imitating baitfish. However, with so many different options out there, it can be hard to choose the right one to cast. Below are some of the things you’ll want to consider when choosing a jerkbait for bass. 

There are a number of factors that you need to consider when picking the right jerkbait for bass fishing, with the first being colors. Just like any lure, jerkbaits have a ton of color options. One good thing to consider is what baitfish are in the body of water you’re fishing. Once you know that, you can pick a color that matches them well. 

Water clarity also plays a huge role in picking the right colors. If you’re in clear water, it’s especially important to closely mimic baitfish. If instead you’re fishing in dirty water, opt for some of the brighter colors that can catch the attention of bass more easily.

Size is another important factor to consider with your jerkbaits. If you’re fishing in an area that has some smaller bass or the bass are less aggressive, you may want to opt for some of the smaller jerkbaits out there. If you are chasing after big fish, or you know the fish are especially aggressive, you can opt for larger jerkbaits.

Once you have the right jerkbait picked out, there are some other gear and technique considerations you’ll have to make. 

For your rod, it’s best to use a medium to medium-heavy power with fast action. These give you the best precision and responsiveness when working a jerkbait. Anything with those specs in the 6.5 to 7-foot range will work well to help you make long casts and still have control over the jerkbait.

It’s also important to pick the right line to use. 10-12-pound fluorocarbon provides low visibility while maintaining sensitivity, making it a solid option. Monofilament can also work well, especially if you want the added benefit of some extra buoyancy provided by the line.

There are a few different ways to work a jerkbait through the water to trigger strikes from bass. While you can just do a straight retrieve, these lures are designed to have some extra action added in. Cast out the jerkbait, and twitch your rod a few times, pause, reel in the slack, and repeat that process. You can mix up the speed of your twitches and the length of your pauses to see what works best for the bass in your area.