Picked This Up Last Night

[Curt]

I grabbed this lure at Wal-Mart last night.



I'm hoping to do more jerkbait fishing this Spring than I have done in the past. So I figured I'd better start buying a few jerkbaits 

I know this isn't a Pointer or any other kind of Lucky Craft, but I've heard a lot of good things about Yo-Zuri jerkbaits too, so I figured I'd give this one a shot.

[Eric Low]

Favorite way to fish in the spring. Try slender pointer 112 in ghost minnow. The pause is key
.

[Curt]

Favorite way to fish in the spring. Try slender pointer 112 in ghost minnow. The pause is key
.

Thanks @Eric Low I know you catch a ton of fish on jerkbaits in the spring! I've been hearing you talk about it for many years 

I have never gained confidence in them, despite catching a few fish here and there on them. I just need to spend more time with them to figure them out a bit more.

And I'm sure that the pause is something that will need to vary from trip to trip, depending on conditions, the mood of the bass, etc., right?

[JackJ]

I'm really liking the Shadow Raps... 

[Curt]

@JackJ Which seasons and under what conditions have you had success with that bait?

Here in the Northeast, when the water is cold (50 degrees and under), the jerkbaits we use typically suspend. They don't sink or float upward when paused. Which, from the way I understand it, is the key to catching cold water bass in late fall, winter and very early spring.

The Shadow Rap definitely looks like it would work in more than just the cold water season.

[JackJ]

Well our waters really dont get below 50° very often, but it is usually this time of year I do best with them.   50-60°.    They actually float down (slowly) and is supposed to mimic what a shad actually does.
The Shadow Rap Shad is one I use also.  A little different shape.

[Curt]

@JackJ I've used the Shallow Shad Rap here for over 15 years now. It's a great spring bait around shallow cover.

Now that you mentioned that bait, it reminds me that I haven't thrown it in a few years or more. Maybe I need to start again 

[JackJ]

These Shadow raps of course can be used the same as the older shad raps.   I just like them because it seems they have a little more wobble and flash.

[Curt]

I just need to spend a more time throwing crankbaits and similar baits.