Bass Digest/January, 2014
For every angler there is a specific lure that gives him the edge and the confidence to get the job done even when in a tight spot. For me, that lure and pattern is undoubtedly a jerkbait. Instead of trying to entice a reluctant bass into biting, this lure has the ability to override the instinct of any self- respecting bass by making it rush headlong into a reaction strike.
With jerkbaits, there is one major rule I live by; “Match the hatch”. The most important aspect of jerkbait fishing is to match what the fish are eating, and not what you want to be catching!! In our waters, more often than not, the main food source is baitfish. Matching the size of the baitfish is probably the most important factor for me. If fish are keyed into a specific prey, it is sometimes very difficult to get them zoned
in on eating
something
else.
Thus doing a proper imitation will increase your chances of getting a hook-up.
Most jerkbait ranges boast a spread of different lengths in the same lure. One of the reasons I prefer the Xrap is the fact that I can imitate anything from a 4cm baitfish all the way to a 10cm or 12cm baitfish. Over the years I’ve been surprised at the size of fish you can catch on the smallest jerkbait just by matching what they are zoned in on. To find out what fish zone in on though is not always that easy and requires you to pay attention or even do some homework beforehand. Often the bass are not feeding on the obvious species. You can observe schooling baitfish in the shallows, or get a clue from a bass caught that regurgitates a baitfish. By paying attention to this, and playing with different lure colour and sizes, you may be able to add a lot more strikes to your day.
Water colour also plays an important role as it has an z effect on the colour of baitfish. I tend o to lean towards a whiter colour in m murky water but as the water g gets clearer, I like the r greener, more natural
c colours.
There is, however, a common denominator and that is flash. Flash is key for me even in the dirtiest of water. As a rule of thumb, the cleaner the water, the faster my retrieve, but this can differ from day to day. Apart from water colour, weather conditions can also influence the colour you choose. I often find myself with a pink jerkbait in overcast conditions. Pink might sound a little farfetched but it
REVELATION
JERKBAIT