Crankbaits & Hardbaits

Jerkbait

All lures

Suspends in the strike zone for cold-water fish.

Technique

Jerk-jerk-pause

Depth

3-10 ft

Water Clarity

Clear

Best Conditions

Cold water, clear lakes

Spring Fall

About This Lure

A minnow-shaped hardbait that darts and pauses, suspending at rest to tempt lethargic fish.

How To Fish It

The jerkbait is designed to mimic an injured or dying baitfish through aggressive rod twitches followed by static pauses. By manipulating the rod tip, you impart a sharp, darting action that triggers reaction strikes from predators suspended in the water column. Varying the length of your pause is the key to identifying the fish's aggression level on any given day.

Retrieve Cadence

Snap-snap-pause, followed by a three to five-second wait, then repeat.

Best Colors

Pro Blue— Clear water with bright sunshine

Clown— Stained water or overcast skies

Chrome/Black Back— High visibility conditions with lots of shad present

Ghost Minnow— Ultra-clear water where fish are pressured

Sizes & When To Use

80mmTargeting lethargic fish in cold water or pressured conditions

110mmStandard size for active Smallmouth and Largemouth in mid-range depths

130mmSelecting for trophy-sized fish and covering more water

Commonly Rigged On

direct tieloop knot

Recommended Gear

6'6" to 7'0" medium-power, extra-fast action spinning or baitcasting rod, 6.2:1 gear ratio reel, 8-12lb fluorocarbon line.

Pro Tips

Always use a loop knot to allow the lure maximum side-to-side action.
If fish are swiping but not hooking, extend your pause duration significantly.
Use fluorocarbon line to ensure the bait sinks slightly during the pause instead of floating back up.
Keep your rod tip pointed down toward the water surface to maintain consistent depth and control.

Species This Lure Catches