As expected, jerkbaits were the key lure type used by the winners (and most of the 53 contestants) in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake near Tulsa Oklahoma from February 22-24, 2013. Other lures that worked included medium-diving crankbaits that didn't wobble too strongly and jigs, especially finesse jigs. Yet the jerkbait was the key lure type in the low to mid-forty degree water.
With that in mind, here's a quick run-through of many of the best jerkbaits available today. No, this doesn't cover all the jerkbaits in the world. It only covers those I believe are the best in the world and that are available at www.BassdozerStore.com for that very reason. Please enjoy.
Shallow Diving Jerkbaits
We can divide jerkbaits into two piles - shallow divers (5 feet or less) and deep divers (more than 5 feet). The pile of shallow divers is much larger because most of the jerkbaits on the market are shallow divers which typically run 2 to 5 feet deep. Indeed, a majority of anglers use shallow diving jerkbaits far more than deep ones. Comparatively few average anglers use deep diving jerkbaits - although pro anglers do. The following models are some of the best in the world. If fish are found in shallow water during the Classic at Grand Lake, which one of the following do you think will be most effective?
DUO Realis Jerkbait 120
Introduced in 2011, this is one of the newest and most advanced designs of jerkbaits on the market. It's a large size jerkbait to attract big fish and heavy enough to cast far featuring a fortified lip that won't break off. It straddles the shallow/deep fence, running right around the 5-6 foot level depending on line used and distance cast.
DUO Realis Jerkbait 120 SP ~ Suspending ~ Ayu
Ima Flit 100 & 120
The ima Flit is a relatively new jerkbait that hit the market within approximately the past five years. Starting from scratch, the Ima Flit has been increasing in popular since it's introduction. A lot of bass fall for the Flit in a relatively short time, and that's why it is growing so quickly in popularity. Once you see the action in the water, you will be a believer. The Flit ranks right up there with the world's best jerkbaits for bass. I treat the two Flit sizes (120mm and 100mm) as if the same jerkbait. Both have great action. Solidly constructed. both have the same strong hooks and can be used on the same rod and reel. There's no need to use lighter rod or line with the Flit 100 and a heavier rod or line with the Flit 120. I find that ability to retie and show fish another size of the same lure is an advantage to fishing the Ima Flit series.
Size comparison of ima Flit 120 Tennessee Shad (top) and Flit 100 American Shad (below).
Jackall Soul Shad 68
A bit of a hybrid, the versatile Soul Shad is a suspending, shad-shaped jerkbait or crankbait, depending how it's used. Many anglers still have not heard of this nifty bait. Those who have tried it have nothing but good things to say about it. Because of its versatilty, it could play a role in the 2013 Classic for any angler savvy enough to try it. The action is kind of a cross between a jerkbait and crankbait depending how you work it. Let the fish tell you which technique they want. Although the lip appears quite long, it's also slender and reaches 4-6 foot depths - right on the border between line shallow and deep jerkbaits.
Jackall Soul Shad 68 SP ~ Suspending Jerkbait/Crankbait ~ Super Shad
Jackall Squad Minnow 95
Jackall offers several jerkbait models and sizes - and all are good yet most models are unfamilair to US anglers. Make no mistake, however. It is the Squad Minnow 95 that is the best jerkbait model and size made by Jackall that's available in the USA. Jackall lures are precision made, and the Squad Minnow 95 is one of the best bass jerkbaits in the world today.
Jackall Squad Minnow 95 ~ Suspending Jerkbait ~ Ghost Minnow
Lucky Craft Pointer 100
Lucky Craft was one of if not "the" first vendor from Japan to market their products in the USA and worldwide. The Pointer 100 is the top-seller of all Lucky Craft lures sold in the USA. If that huge fact doesn't convince you that you ought to be using a Pointer 100, then I don't know what else will. The Pointer 100 is a little beefier than average jerkbait requiring a little heavier than ordinary tackle than for other jerkbaits.
Lucky Craft Pointer 100 ~ Jerkbait ~ Misty Shad
Lucky Craft Pointer 78
To me, the Pointer 78 is one of the greatest shallow diving jerkbait of those under 100mm length. No kidding. Of all Lucky Craft lures (topwater, lipless, cranks, jerks, etc) I have fished, the Pointer 78 has the most life-like action. Something in the design of the Pointer 78 gives it an occasional irregular action which is very special because it approximates the mindless dalliance of a real bait better than the mechanical metronome of most other baits. It's best used on lighter rod and line compared to the Pointer 100.
Lucky Craft Pointer 78 ~ Shallow Suspending Jerkbait ~ Pearl Threadfin Shad
Megabass Vision 110
We're running down the list in alphabetical order, but few would disagree that the Vision 110 is the most legendary jerkbait of all time, and for good reason. It's an incredible bass catcher. It's at it's very brst in cold water like the Classic contenders will encounter on Grand Lake, Oklahoma during the 2013 Classic.
Megabass Vision 110 ~ Slow Floating Jerkbait ~ M TNG
Megabass Vision 110 FX Flap Bill
The ONETEN FX is the new suspending, tournament-spec model of the immensely popular and incredibly successful VISION ONETEN.
Top: Original Vision 110. Below: Vision 110 FX Flap Bill
Featuring a Megabass original Variable Resistance Flap Bill, the lip tucks into the body during casts, and opens when the lure hits the water. This revolutionary feature makes the 110 FX cast farther, more accurately, and move more erratically than the original Vision 110.
Casting position: Lip moves up to minimize air resistance to cast longer distance. Swimming position: Lip flaps back and forth which creates darting actions.
Megabass Vision 110 Magnum
Weighing 3/4 oz with bigger hooks, give the Megabass Vision 110 Magnum a try for bigger bass or on breezy days when it's difficult to use standard size jerkbaits. Another difference is the Magnum is a super-slow sinker, roughly 1 inch every second (depending on water temp and fishing line). A steady retrieve will get the Magnum down to 4 feet on 10 lb test, but the Magnum really starts to prove itself when you start targeting suspended fish at different depths. Say you want to get down 7-1/2 feet - simply count off until your Magnum reaches the targeted depth and then start working the lure. With barely noticeable movements of the rod tip, you can get the Magnum to move subtly like a weakened baitfish in the water. With strong pulls or rips of your rod, you can get the Magnum to snap back and forth with the large darting action you've come to expect from the original Vision 110 SF. The beauty of this setup lies in the fact that once you reach your target depth, you can work the lure any way you want - fast or slow -and it will stay at the target depth.
Size comparison of original Vision 110 (top) and Vision 110 Magnum (bottom).
Megabass Vision 110 Silent Riser (Neon Core)
The Vision 110 Silent Riser provides exactly that - a silent Vision 110 to which you may optionally add SuspenDots or SuspenStrips if desired to make one suspend. In that regard, it's like an "old school" (non-suspending) jerkbait; prior to the influx of suspending jerkbaits form Japan, anglers had to add weight to make jerkbaits of the time suspend or sink slowly. Being able to add weight still has one advantage - you can dial into precisely what's needed at any given moment, even changing during the day.
SuspenDots or SuspenStrips have typically been affixed to the belly of a bait to change it's buoyancy. Don't be afraid to think outside the box here, men. Adding weight to the lip, tail, head, sides or even the top of a bait will also change its action, almost always deadening the action - and that's ideal to mimic dying, sinking shad that succumb to cold water calamities.
Another unique feature of the Silent Riser is the Neon Core which is a reflective plate that emit flashes from within the body.
The original and legendary Megabass Vision 110 (top) and new Vision 110 Silent Riser (bottom) share the same outward appearance. Internally, the original 110 has a moving balance system and light rattles whereas the Silent Riser has fixed balance weights and no rattles. The Silent Riser also has a reflective plate inside.
Megabass Vision 110 Silent Riser ~ Neon Core Jerkbait ~ NC Pro Blue
Megabass Vision 110 Square Bill
This is the square lip model of the immensely successful Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait series. The Square Bill is designed for shallow applications. By targeting the 4 foot range, and changing the original oval bill to a reinforced square lip, the lure 'bites' into the water more effectively, making the darting motions from power jerking sharper. The strong vibrations emitted by this movement are great at reaching wandering bass and turning finicky fish into reaction feeders.
Megabass X-80 Trick Darter
Scarcity, unfamiliarity and therefore uncertainty surrounds many Megabass lures including Megabass jerkbait models such as the X-80 Trick Darter. If you like the Vision 110 and you want to try a slightly smaller, shad-shaped model jerkbait from Megabass, the X-80 Trick Darter is the one to try with confidence.
Megabass X-80 Trick Darter ~ Suspending Jerkbait ~ GG Flashing Wakasagi
SEBILE Koolie Minnow 90 SL
The Koolie Minnow 90 SL (Small Lip) only dives a couple feet deep at most, but it has a most lifelike action. There's something about this particular size and model that causes bass to go for it in a big way.
Sebile Koolie Minnow 90 SL ~ Suspending Shallow Diver ~ Silver Liner
SEBILE Stick Shadd 90 SU & SK
Patrick Sebile prides himself on making unique lures, not following the traditional body shapes, lips and colors that are established in the industry. This makes for some striking lures but also causes unfamiliarity and uncertainty among anglers with some of SEBILE's unique, relatively new and unknown models. That's the case with SEBILE's Stick Shadd 90 SU (Suspending) and SK (sinking) lipless jerkbait models. The fact there is no lip lets it come through the top of thick, shallow cover with less hang-ups than any other lipped jerkbait. Simply rip it hard for powerful jerks and darts in any direction, including up and down. Once you witness the fish-pulling power of this jerkbait, you will never go fishing without one in your box. However, since it is such an unfamilar tool today, I would be shocked if any Classic contenders have one on their boat on Grand Lake. Don't make their mistake. Try one.
Sebile Stick Shadd 90 SU ~ Suspending Lipless Jerkbait ~ Natural Perch
Smithwick Rogues
Smithwick is one of the more familiar brands due to longevity on the US market, and customers especially in the Heartland of the USA still show a strong favoritism toward Smithwick Rogues. It wasn't that long ago (2005) when Kevin VanDam won the Bassmaster Classic in Pittsbugh, Pennsylvania with the Smithwick Rogue.
The specific sizes and models of Rogues that I have found to be the very best of the Rogue family are:
1) 4-1/2" Floating Rattlin' Rogue (KVD won the 2005 Classic with this)
2) 4-1/2" Suspending Limited Rogue
3) 4-1/2" Suspending Rattlin' Rogue
4) 5-1/2" Suspending Rattlin' Rogue
Smithwick 4-1/2" Suspending Limited Rattling Rogue ~ Sour Grape
Deep Diving JerkbaitsDeep divers are nowhere near as popular as are shallow divers with the average angler. Most pros do use deep divers as they are among the deadliest weapons off points, ledges and anywhere the depthtransitions from shallow to deep. Most shallow divers reach 2 to 5 feet deep whereas most deep diving jerkbaits run 6 to at most 10 feet deep. Keep in mind, it is not usually possible for a deep diving jerkbait to reach the same depths as a deep diving crankbait. Depths beyond10 to almost 20 feet may easily be reached with big-lipped crankbaits. That isn't the case with deep-diving jerkbaits which run from 6 to 10 feet deep at most. As I say, most guys use shallow diving jerkbaits most of the time. Don't make their mistake. If you fish where depths of 5 to 10+ feet of water exist, then make sure to use some of the following deep-diving jerkbaits. You will not regret it. Lucky Craft StayseeOf all Lucky Craft lures I have used for 12+ years, be they crankbaits, lipless, jerkbaits or topwaters, the Staysee 90 V2 has one of the most life-like actions. Within the last few years, there is now a V3 version. I have always liked V2 and have always switched to larger hooks which brings V2 close to what the new V3 is anyway. So if you want the Staysee with larger hooks out of the package, go V3. If you were planning to switch out the hooks yourself (or to use the smaller stock hooks), opt for V2.
Lucky Craft Pointer 100 DD and 78 DDSimply put, there are four necessary models of Lucky Craft Pointer jerkbaits that every angler ought to have: Pointer 78 and Pointer 78 DD - These fall on the light tackle side - 8, max 10 or even 6 lb test. The 78 is a shallow-diving version. The 78 DD deep diver, depending what diameter line you use and the distance cast, the 78 DD can hit the 5 to 7 foot range. Both models suspend. Pointer 100 and Pointer 100 DD - On the heavier side, and can be used with 10, 12, 14 lb test or heavier, depending on how gnarly the cover and big the bass. The 100 is a shallow-diving version, and is the most popular and productive of all Lucky Craft lure models. The 100 DD is a deep diving model and depending on line used, achieves a maximum depth about 7 to 9 feet deep. Both models suspend.
Lucky Craft Pointer 78 XDThe XD stands for Extra Deep diver. Relatively new and unknown, you probably have not heard of this Pointer XD. I do know of one top pro tournament won with this lure, and it really is flying under the radar screen of recognition. You ought to try one. The Pointer 78 XD suspends at depths down to10 feet deep, depending on line used, rod tip position, retrieve used, distance cast, and other conditions.
Megabass RevengeNeed a deep suspending jerkbait? Then getting Revenge should be your first choice. The Revenge reaches depths that are unattainable with Megabass' other jerkbait models. With 8 lb. test line, the Revenge will hit a depth of nearly 10 feet, and about 6-8 feet with 12 to 16 lb. test fluorocarbon line.
Megabass Vision 110 +1The Vision 110 +1 is a deep-diving jerkbait designed to reach depths of 5 to 9 feet, a few feet deeper than the original, legendary Vision 110 shallow diver.
Megabass X-80 +1With its longer bill, the X-80 +1 is designed to probe greater depths, diving 2-3 feet deeper than the original X-80. By increasing the lip area and optimizing the body balance, the X-80 +1 produces dynamic flash, sharp turns, and fast darting movement with even moderate rod action. It's even effective with a straight retrieve, it swims with dynamic body roll, displaying side flash as it wobbles along its meandering track. It can generate irregular actions without jerking by simply applying a stop & go technique while reeling without imparting any rod tip action.
SEBILE Koolie Minnow LL Long LipIt's highly unlikely any 2013 Classic contender will be using the Koolie Minnow Long Lip, a deep-diving minnow with wiggling, rolling action. They're relatively unknown and unused by bass anglers. The design of the strong, bridge-reinforced lip allows a steep dive and an easy retrieve in comparison to other baits of its kind. They may be swam steadily or jerked responsively and they rise free of snags whenever paused. In fact, several aspects of their construction are designed to let Koolies dive deep into snaggy areas without getting stuck. With a full size range, there is truly a Koolie Minnow LL size suited to catch any deep-dwelling bass at any depth. In the larger sizes, they reach depths comparable to deep-diving crankbaits.
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