Alright, let’s talk about them jerk baits for bass, you know, the kind that makes them fish go crazy. I ain’t no fancy fisherman, but I’ve caught my fair share of bass using these things, and I’m gonna tell ya how it is.
First off, what the heck is a jerk bait anyway? Well, it’s a lure, see? A piece of plastic or wood, looks kinda like a little fish, with hooks sticking out. You tie it to your line and then you jerk it around in the water. That’s why they call it a jerk bait, I reckon. Makes sense, right?
Now, there’s all sorts of jerk baits out there. Some are long and skinny, some are short and fat. Some float, some sink, some kinda just hang there in the water. Don’t get yourself all worked up about it. The main thing is to find one that looks like somethin’ a bass would want to eat. And how do you know what a bass wants to eat? Well, that’s the tricky part, ain’t it?
- Look at the water. Is it clear or muddy? If it’s clear, them bass can see real good, so you might wanna use a jerk bait that looks more natural. If it’s muddy, you might need somethin’ a little brighter, somethin’ that’ll catch their eye.
- Think about what kind of little fishies are swimmin’ around in that water. Them bass, they like to eat what they’re used to. So if you see a lot of little minnows, use a jerk bait that looks like a minnow. Makes sense to me.
- Don’t be afraid to try different colors. Sometimes them bass want somethin’ flashy, sometimes they want somethin’ dull. You just gotta keep tryin’ till you find somethin’ that works.
Okay, so you got your jerk bait, now what? Well, now you gotta learn how to jerk it. And that ain’t as easy as it sounds. You can’t just go throwin’ it out there and yankin’ on it like a crazy person. Well, you can, but you probably won’t catch much.
The key is to make that jerk bait look like a real fish that’s in trouble. You want it to dart and twitch and flash, like it’s wounded or somethin’. That’s what gets them bass excited. Here’s how I do it:
I cast that lure out there, let it sink a little bit, and then I give it a good jerk. Not too hard, not too soft, just enough to make it move. Then I pause, let it sit there for a second or two, and then I jerk it again. And I keep doin’ that, jerk, pause, jerk, pause, all the way back to the boat or the shore. See? Easy peasy.
Now, how hard you jerk and how long you pause, well, that depends. Sometimes them bass want it fast and jerky, sometimes they want it slow and steady. You just gotta experiment and see what they’re in the mood for. And don’t be afraid to change things up. If one way ain’t workin’, try somethin’ different.
And one more thing, don’t forget about the water temperature. When the water’s cold, them bass are kinda sluggish, so you gotta fish slower. When the water’s warm, they’re more active, so you can fish faster. Just remember that and you’ll be alright.
Water clarity is important too, real important. If the water’s all muddy and you can’t see your hand in front of your face, them bass ain’t gonna see your jerk bait neither. So you gotta find some clearer water or use a bigger, brighter jerk bait. Or maybe just go home and try again another day. Ain’t no shame in that.
So there you have it, that’s my take on jerk baits for bass. It ain’t rocket science, but it ain’t exactly child’s play neither. It takes practice and patience, and a little bit of luck. But if you stick with it, you’ll start catchin’ them bass, and that’s a mighty fine feelin’, let me tell ya.
But don’t get me wrong I ain’t no professional, I just fish when I can. If it works it works if it don’t it don’t. It really isn’t rocket science when it comes to fishin’. I have seen city folks make a big deal about things, but you just gotta be patient. Most people do not have the patience needed for fishin’ I tell you that.
Anyhow you can use these tips I gave you and go on your merry way to fish. I hope it helps you on your next fishing trip. Remember patience is key!
Tags: [jerk baits, bass fishing, fishing lures, fishing tips, bass, lure fishing, fishing techniques, water clarity, seasonal fishing, baitfish]