John Stears – Fishing Jerkbaits Miss. River Style

Here’s an article jam-packed with info on how to fish jerkbaits, when, where and the right equipment for the job. Authored by Johns Stears with contributions from Jim Johnson & Matt Nelson.

Fishing Jerkbaits – Mississippi River Style

Excellent article John!
This a time tested presentation for pre spawn bass that is terrific. I first encountered this method fishing Spring Smallmouth out of Sturgeon Bay, Wisc several years ago and it has never failed me during the conditions you mentioned.
The Rogues and Lucky Crafts are favorites as are Yosuris and Husky Jerks.
Walleyes will hammer this presentation also….oops…

Excellent job as usual John!!

Mr.Stears,a great article.You sure are a talented writer.I printed off a few copies to give to a few off my bass friends.
Ryan Hale

Guys,

Thanks but I have to credit Jim and Matt for their contribution. Either of these talented guys could have written this article, It just happen to be the guy who is on the IDA staff. Matt and Jim, thanks for your viewpoints!

The guys who follow professional bass fishing already know Mark Menendez has ended his association with Smithwick. The good news is my favorite bait that bore his signature is still available in the Rattelin Rouge series.

great article john. i look forward to seeing ya this spring on some softer water! is it spring yet???

John,

How much does current play into how you approach the use of a jerk bait? I fish them primarily in lakes and consider them an ideal bait early in the season when the water temp is 40 – 60 degrees as well. I start moving more toward ‘twitch’ baits around 57 degrees though. I noted a number of differences in how we view the jerkbait in terms of hook positions, neutral vs slight drop, the angle of the bait in the water (head down vs tail down or level). I wouldn’t mind having a more indepth discussion at some point. I think the current changes the presentation of the bait and the equipment used substantially. One other point about white belly vs orange belly… My experience has been that in areas where sunnies or yellow perch (perch have a small splash of orange) are the primary forage the orange belly out produces the white however where shad and other classes of minnows like the emerald shiner are present white bellies out produce. So in dark bottom bays fishing very shallow I’m inclined to move toward orange bellies first. In deeper water, over rock piles or deeper sand flats I’m inclined to go with white bellies first. I realize most of my experience has been lake fishing but as I related above, I’d love to have a more indepth discussion about one of my favorite baits.

Curt

Curt,

Most of my jerkbait fishing on the river is on Lake Pepin (no current) or in areas of modest current. In high current areas I think a fluke style bait is a better choice. There are a few exceptions. If I am above a wing dam or sand point I will cast so the current sweeps the bait across the target. At some point the lure will stop and I can twitch and pause the lure. Thanks for the insight on the on the bottom color. To be honest I overlooked that concept. Maybe we can share a boat someday and work over some of the issues.

John

Bump

Thanks John ,
Even I could understand that. Do you ever use soft jerk baits on the Mississippi<

Bill,

sure do! tend to use them when the water gets warmer and in cover.

John

Smelt like to hang in the water column in loose schools. When foraging they spread out some and sit motionless in the water, at a slight head up angle. Thier plan is to silhuet prey from below. Smallies often key in on smelt like this.

Also, you guys didn’t mention the X-Rap. I have had great luck with this lure for walleyes and smallmouth both in lakes and rivers.

This article was post Feb – 2005 which pre-dates the X Rap if I remember correctly.