Wired2fish’s Kyle Peterson lists the jerkbait as his favorite all-around artificial lure category for catching predator fish. He guides through an extended discussion of why jerkbaits should be a cornerstone in your tackle arsenal if you’re a serious multi-species angler and bridging fresh and saltwater fishing. You’ll see abundant underwater video and fish catches to support his claims along the way. *Product links at the bottom.
JERKBAITS: A TIMELESS CLASSIC
Jerkbaits have consistently captured the imagination of fishing enthusiasts. With an irresistible minnow profile, these lures attract many species – from smallmouth and largemouth bass to northern pike and walleye. Peterson explores an impressive array of jerkbaits, emphasizing their never-fading allure in triggering bass, crappies, and even marine species like blackfin tuna and barracuda.
TYPES AND TACTICS
Choosing the right jerkbait can often spell the difference between success and fishless outings. There are three main categories: floating, suspending, and sinking jerkbaits. Peterson sheds light on the nuances of each and when to use based on fish behavior and habitat. Factors such as bait size and noise also come into play as Peterson recounts personal experiences to highlight their significance.
GEARING UP
Jerkbait fishing rods can be as diverse as the lures themselves. Peterson delves into choosing the ideal rod length, selecting between spinning rods and more traditional casting setups, and the impact of lure size on fish attraction. With fish becoming increasingly discerning due to fishing pressures, experimenting with different sizes and colors becomes crucial (and fun!).
ON-THE-WATER ACTION
This video merges studio insights with on-the-water action. Specifically, Peterson addresses the influential role of forward-facing sonar in jerkbait fishing. The lure and fish finder become one system for targeting and triggering fish. With a fish as your target, your jerkbait becomes a precision-guided lure with the right cast. With your bait on-target, the jerkbait is a free-style lure meaning you can impart wide-ranging action and adjust to the fish’s mood with forward-facing sonar. That’s the power few other lures can deliver.
JERKBAITS (in order as shown in video)
- ARK J110SP Suspending Jerkbait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Berkley Stunna Jerkbait 112: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- Duo Realis Jerkbait 130SP: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Rapala PXR Mavrik: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Rapala X-Rap 06: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- Megabass Kanata: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Rapala X-Rap 10: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- Rapala Original Floater: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- Lunkerhunt Sushi 110S Jerkbait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Hardcore Minnow “Flat” 95SP: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Rapala Countdown Elite 75: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- Rapala Shadow Rap Shad Deep: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- Bill Lewis Scope-Stik: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- Hardcore Shad SR 60: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Strike King KVD Deep Jerkbait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- 13 Fishing Whipper Snapper: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Megabass Ito Shiner: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Megabass Vision Oneten: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- 13 Fishing Loco Special: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Rapala Shadow Rap: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- Megabass X-Nanahan +1 Jerkbait (X-75 +1): Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Duo Realis Jerkbait 120SP: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- SPRO Mike McClelland McStick 110 Jerkbait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Megabass Vision Oneten +2: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- Megabass Vision Oneten Silent: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
KYLE’S ROD SETUP (during in-boat hosting)
- ROD – 13 Fishing Envy Black III Casting Rod, 7’3″ Medium: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – ARK Gravity 3 Casting Reel, 7.1:1: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE – Sufix Advance Flurocarbon, 10-pound: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
FORWARD-FACING SONAR AS SHOWN
KYLE’S SETUP
- FISH FINDER – Garmin ECHOMAP™ Ultra 126sv: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FORWARD-FACING SONAR – Panoptix LiveScope™ Plus System w/ GLS10 & LVS34 Transducer: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
OTT DEFOE’S SETUP
- FISH FINDER – Humminbird HELIX 12 MEGA SI+ GPS G4N: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LIVE SONAR – Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging: Buy at Tackle Warehouse, Buy at Bass Pro Shops
KYLE’S BOAT SETUP
- BOAT – Lund 1875 Pro-V Bass XS Bass Boat: Check out at Lund Boats
- MOTOR – Mercury Pro XS Outboard, 200hp: Check out at Mercury Marine
- TROLLING MOTOR – Garmin Force Trolling Motor: Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse
