Jerkin' It

My name is PainInTheBass and I have a problem... with jerkin' it.

I first started to jerk it a few years ago, and have not been able to stop since.

It's exciting; sometimes yankin' hard on my rod; sometimes subtly pulling on the tip.  I never know when it's gonna happen - the explosion.  I never know how long it's gonna be before the payoff, but I continue to jerk in rhythm; waiting in anticipation until I feel that familiar pull at the base of my rod before giving that final tug...

In case my description didn't tip you off, this article will be about one of my favourite things to do on the boat - jerkbaiting.

Jerkbaits are generally longer, narrow, cylindrical lures which, when jerked, dart erratically - like a baitfish fleeing from a predator.  The sudden darting motion can entice fish; drawing their attention, and triggering strikes, often of the more violent type.  The fleeing action incites the predatory instinct in many fish, compelling them to follow and strike the lure.  Often, the decision to strike is one made instinctively and suddenly, which makes this technique exciting.

There are generally 2 types of jerkbaits - hard and soft. 
Hard jerkbaits are generally molded or carved; are equipped with a diving lip and treble hooks. 

These lures can be weighted to float up to the surface during pauses in the retrieve; to suspend; or to sink.  For this reason, these lures may be fished at various depths and at different speeds.  The short lip, when subject to a sharp jerk, deflects water sharply, causing the lure to dart to one side, while the body remains rigid.  Subsequent jerks tend to make the lure dart the other direction for that erratic action.

Soft jerkbaits are generally soft plastic baits that are rigged with a jighead or hook through the nose and/or body.

Most soft jerkbaits are weighted to sink at a relatively slow rate, and are often used in shallower water or when fish are attaching schooling baitfish near the surface.  Weight can be added to the hook in order to alter the weight and fish different depths.  When jerked, these lures dart from side to side based on teh hydrodynamics of water flowing across the tapered body.  Further, the soft plastic body will bend and flap like a fleeing fish, adding to the realism.

Jerkbaits are fished by a series of jerks and pauses that are performed sequentially in varying orders and cadences until that pattern which seems to draw strikes is found.  Under cooler water temperatures, often slower twitches and long pauses is preferred due to the lower metabolism of the fish.  As the water warms, increase the intensity of the jerks and decrease the lengths of the pauses to simulate more energetic prey.  When you can, it is often beneficial to 'match the hatch' by selecting a lure which matches the prey in size and colour.

So with that brief introduction to jerkin' it, go forth, rod in hand, and keep tugging on your rod erratically until ou feel that explosion on the end of yor rod.

P.S. - For those that thought, "erotic' whenever I wrote erratic; get your minds out of the gutter.  Some people's kids... Makes me sick to see what this world is coming to...