Arbogast Jitterbugs 2024

Avid Angler FL reply :

I have a Jitterbug (normal size I think 1/4 oz) and I'm going late night fishing later tonight. Would this be something I should bring with?

PondHunter reply :

On 8/19/2011 at 10:09 AM, Avid Angler FL said:

I have a Jitterbug (normal size I think 1/4 oz) and I'm going late night fishing later tonight. Would this be something I should bring with?

Absolutely. It will be even better if it's a Black one too.

MAD reply :

Most definitely, love the Jitterbug.

Mike

Packard reply :

Sure, work it slower than usual.

Avid Angler FL reply :

Mine is a white with black back, black striped sides, red belly, and yellow around the eyes. Idk how well the color would work but then again against a night sky it might not matter too much.

Midnight Splash2 reply :

Just take a black permanent marker to it.

Packard reply :

On 8/19/2011 at 10:25 AM, Avid Angler FL said:

Mine is a white with black back, black striped sides, red belly, and yellow around the eyes. Idk how well the color would work but then again against a night sky it might not matter too much.

Black supposedly gives it a better silhouette.

Avid Angler FL reply :

I get what you mean, but if it's pitch black out there I think they're more focused on sound and movement of the bait rather than what it looks like. Bass are very brave. If I was in the dark, I know I wouldn't try to eat everything I heard making a noise. Their instincts are amazing!

Packard reply :

On 8/19/2011 at 11:00 AM, Avid Angler FL said:

I get what you mean, but if it's pitch black out there I think they're more focused on sound and movement of the bait rather than what it looks like. Bass are very brave. If I was in the dark, I know I wouldn't try to eat everything I heard making a noise. Their instincts are amazing!

Your right but it could be the slight difference between a bite or not.

Avid Angler FL reply :

Yeah that's always true.

Bluebasser86 reply :

Just use a slow, steady retrieve and make sure to feel the weight before you set the hook, unless you like trying to dodge 2 sets of trebles that you can't see.

Shad_Master reply :

The way I understand it, the thing about black at night is that the bass are under the water looking up. Black makes a better silohuete against the ambient light of the sky. Now, having said that - can any of us really predict bass behaviour? Throw your lure, see what happens.

bassin is addicting reply :

great lure... change the hooks.

i've got a night tourney this weekend and it will be tied on to one of my rigs for sure.

as stated... wait for the weight... no need to "set the hook".. feel the weight and start reeling...keep tension and you should be fine...

if you are new to the jitterbug it may be hard to not overreact when you hear a blow-up....

SirSnookalot reply :

Use what ya got,, they'll hit it.

Bassin_Fin@tic reply :

Get the 3/8 oz size.

Crestliner2008 reply :

At least step it up to the 5/8 oz. size.....or better yet, the 1 1/2 oz. Musky Jitterbug. Dynomite!

midnighthrasher reply :

By far my best night lure. Large size jointed black.

Marty reply :

I'm not a night fisherman, but Jitterbugs are great in the daytime as well, sunny or cloudy both. I use black only and 5/8 oz. only. Mostly I use the regular ones but when the water gets choppy I use the jointed one. Jitterbugs have been my favorite topwater lure by far for the last 15 years. Unfortunately, it's 2011 and they're still making them like it's 1940, with obsolete hook hangers and lousy components. I change hooks and make other modifications before the lure ever gets wet.

Avid Angler FL reply :

What kind of retrieve would be effective for them? A reel reel reel, pause, or just a continuous slow retrieve for a steady wiggle?

FL_Sharpshooter reply :

On 8/22/2011 at 4:34 PM, Avid Angler FL said:

What kind of retrieve would be effective for them? A reel reel reel, pause, or just a continuous slow retrieve for a steady wiggle?

My biggest fish (6.9) came off an old yellow 3/8oz jitterbug. Caught her using a retrieve 5-8 ft then pause technique. It was right as the sun was going down. The new jitterbugs just don't have the same feel.

tholmes reply :

I'm partial to the 5/8 oz. size. I've got a real old one that started life in a frog pattern, but I spray painted it black after reading about how black works better at night. I've caught hundreds of bass over the last 25 years on that lure, both day and night. Every so often, when too much "frog" starts showing, I'll hit it with a coat of Krylon to spruce it up a bit.

Tom

Avid Angler FL reply :

On 8/22/2011 at 11:15 PM, tholmes said:

I'm partial to the 5/8 oz. size. I've got a real old one that started life in a frog pattern, but I spray painted it black after reading about how black works better at night. I've caught hundreds of bass over the last 25 years on that lure, both day and night. Every so often, when too much "frog" starts showing, I'll hit it with a coat of Krylon to spruce it up a bit.

Tom

Wow hundreds? Must be pretty durable! I personally haven't had as much experience with the Jitterbug as I've had on the Hula Popper! The Hula Popper is one of my favorites by that brand. But to me the Jitterbug kind of falls under that frog style topwater. It has a very similar action to the Stanley Ribbit frog or the Zoom Horny Toad.

Bigbarge50 reply :

Was raised by a father and grandfather who lived by the jitterbug. I have all their old ones, which is about a dozen or so. I keep hearing about how there is something "off" with the new ones....... anyone have a clue what that might be? I have no seen someone say they do not track correctly or the classic gurgle noise is gone...... so any have a specific complaint?

I had a black jitterstick..... that thing was awesome. Lost it a few years back and only place I ever can find one is on ebay, and usually way marked up. Wonder why they stopped making them, it was great.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Jitterbug is an awsome top water especially at night. I cast it and let it sit until the ripples settle. Slow steady retrieve from there. An occasional pause may help trigger bites, the fish will tell you. I get a number of strikes as soon as it hits the water, others when you start to move it and lots as it wobbles back.

Avid Angler FL reply :

Do ya'll keep it near cover, in the shallows, or in open water?

Robert Riley reply :

i fish it whenever, wherever, and how ever i like. And it works!

I have the black one that is one size under 1 oz. i think 5/8th. Its my go to lure for nightfishing.

Diggy reply :

I bought the 3 pack from dix with the hula popper, black and frog color Jitterbug for 10 bucks

Will try this weekend

kayakfisher reply :

My PB is on the jitterbug. Awesome night time lure, havnt had any real luck during day though.

shootermcbob reply :

On 8/20/2011 at 9:00 PM, midnighthrasher said:

By far my best night lure. Large size jointed black.

What he said!

Avid Angler FL reply :

On 9/1/2011 at 3:56 AM, kayakfisher said:

My PB is on the jitterbug. Awesome night time lure, havnt had any real luck during day though.

I've actually caught bass during the day with it, the trick is throwing it in pockets where it's shaded or under overhanging trees. Just cast under there and let it sit, retrieve it for about two feet or so, then pause about five to ten seconds. Bass love it!

urp reply :

I'm not sure I buy this black business at all. I've been bass fishing since the '60s. My all-time best producing night lure is a chrome U-20 flatfish that wobbles just under the surface--no rattles.

8304

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