Master The Art Of Jerkbait Fishing: Your Complete Guide

Mike McClelland has honed his jerkbait fishing skills over the last three decades. In this video, he reflects broadly on how to fish jerkbaits, including key locations, timing considerations, and equipment recommendations. In addition to the knowledge needed to fish this versatile lure category effectively, McClelland shares details about his favorite jerkbait varieties for different conditions, and the best all-around jerkbait rod for working the bait and hooking fish.

TACKLE USED (retail links)
JERKBAITS USED
• SPRO McStick 110+1, color - PM Twilight: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/spro-... | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3VVzKdT
• SPRO McStick 110, color - PM Twilight: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/75g5qd | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/45khjRn
• SPRO McStick 115 (floater for shallow water) - Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3JiRZ5h
• SPRO McStick 95 (floater for shallow water) - Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/43YJm9G
• SPRO McRip 85 (Deep Diving Bait) - Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3Q5MLh7

ROD SETUP
• ROD - Falcon Expert Casting Rod, 6'8'' Medium - Moderate: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/k0d0X3 | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/43Zw38Q
• REEL - Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Baitcast Reel - Right - 6.8:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/x9A4dO
• REEL (cold water) - Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Baitcast Reel, 5.6:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/oqn62O
• LINE - Sunline Crank FC Fluorocarbon Line, 10- and 12-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/ba9oZk | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3OnTZw1

WHAT IS A JERKBAIT?
Jerkbaits are versatile minnow imitators. Their long and slender bodies mimic a wide range of forage species, making them a staple in every experienced bass angler's toolkit. Unlike standard wobbling minnow plugs, jerkbaits are designed to be fished with rod snaps, causing the bait to dart erratically to the sides, imitating a wounded fish. They also suspend at rest, keeping them in the face of chasing fish.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT JERKBAIT
As an angler, you need to choose a bait that resembles the primary forage and reaches the correct depth. McClelland, for instance, carries a range of jerkbait colors, lengths, profiles, and running depths. He shares a handful of his favorites covering most situations and recommends proven colors based on factors like water clarity, wind, and baitfish.

HOW TO FISH A JERKBAIT
Jerkbaits are equipped with a bill that imparts a consistent side-to-side action on a straight retrieve, but they really shine when you impart an erratic action with your rod. Jerkbaits are freestyle lures, meaning that angler input changes how the lure performs, like varying your rod snaps and retrieve speeds. At the most basic level, McClelland discusses the traditional jerk-jerk-pause retrieve. He also covers jerkbait fishing with forward-facing sonar technology and how to adjust your retrieve to the mood of the fish.

CHOOSING A JERKBAIT ROD
McClelland prefers a shorter rod in the 6-foot 8-inch range to work the bait with downstrokes without slapping the water. Next, a medium power rod with a softer action delivers the best hooking and holding percentages, as light-wire treble hooks are prone to tearing out with stiffer rods. While some prefer fishing jerkbaits on spinning rods, McClelland likes casting gear. He shares his preferred gear ratios for different water temperatures and his go-to line type and sizes based on the desired running depth.

FISH FINDER & MISC.
• FISH FINDER - Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 126sv Chartplotter/Fish Finder Combo: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/bagQmg
• LIVE SONAR - Garmin LiveScope Plus LVS34 - Livescope + LVS34 System: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/x905Dv
• TROLLING MOTOR - Garmin Force Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/Aoq3X7
• BOW MOUNTS - BeatDown Outdoors The Ultimate Double Stack: Check out at BD Outdoors https://bit.ly/46LmTNs
• BOAT - Ranger Z521R Commanche: Check out at Ranger https://bit.ly/3uahrGm
SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR - Power-Pole Blade 2.0 Shallow Water Anchor, 10': Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/an2Qeq
• MOTOR - Mercury 250hp Pro XS: Check out at Mercury https://bit.ly/3PeIhVk
• JACK PLATE - Black ATLAS Series Hydraulic Jack Plate: Buy at T-H Marine https://bit.ly/49giGCN
• TOW VEHICLE - Toyota Tundra: Check out at Toyota https://toyota.us/3YzkEd8

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