Are Jitterbugs still great? 2024
Blue Streak reply :
I was cleaning out an old tackle box and found six of them. Used to catch many, many bass at night on them. Had a friend that used to fish them all day. Is anyone still using those or have they been replaced by buzzbaits and such? I bet you could still kill the bass on them.
SMfisher reply :
use them all the time at night. caught a lot of fish on them this past year, some nice ones mostly smallmouth. catch a lot of redeyes too. its a lot of fun!
NEKvt reply :
I have a kid that is always in my boat that throws these things non-stop. It is weird because that bubbling sound is just the background noise on the boat now. If that stops it takes a few minutes to notice but then you have to turn around and see if he fell out of the boat or something cause something must be wrong if he isn't throwing the jitterbug. He catches some fish
retiredbosn reply :
I don't think they ever were great, they still work. Depending on when you fish them a buzz is more efffective during the day and a black chatterbait is more effective at night IMHO
CWB reply :
You bet your arse they are. Although they have lost some of their luster anyone who has ever used one will testify it's one of the greatest baits ever made! They might not be one of the "in" baits, but they do still work. I wonder why you don't see any pros sponsored by Arbogast? Do their baits sell because they work and don't need to be hawked on every other fishing show by Bill or Roland? 
Muddy reply :
One of my biggest producers. 5/8 Black at night or low light situation or Perch Jitter stick or Musky Jitterbug in the day.
They have always been a great bait and I love seeing posts that they are not, the fish see less of them that way :
The trick is to get that steady Bloop, bloop , bloop thing going on.
Some times you have to bend the bills slightly inwards to get the right sound on a steady cadence
also It pays to cut ( do not unscrew the hook holders) off the stock trebles and add some split rings and hang a better treble on them
Good Luck and have fun, great old dependable lure!
Marc David reply :
Yes! They are still great. Went to a lake on vacation last summer to do some night fishing. It was the only bait I was catching bass on. They catch the lunkers too. It is the simplest topwater, just reel it straight in. My go to bait for night fishing.
ptomacbass reply :
Yes, Jitterbugs are one of the best night fishing lures ever. I like the black jitterbugs the most for night fishing.
Micro reply :
I can't argue they aren't great baits. They must be. But I don't think I've ever caught anything, ever, in my entire life, on a jitterbug.
basser89 reply :
Jitterbugs produced for me last year on several occassions when nothing else would. I will throw this bit of caution out there. They seem to be having a problem with the quality of the newer jointed ones (like Muddy, I'm using the 5/8oz size). The tail unscrews itself from the main body. I've lost a couple tails off 2 of my newer ones that I've bought in the last two years. LBH gave me a simple solution to resolve this. If you see one starting to come off, take the tail section off and add a drop or two of super glue to it and put it back together. After doing this, I haven't had any problems with those baits.
fathom reply :
have had some of my best heart attacks fishing a jitterbug at night.
Big-O reply :
I think they are and always will be good baits...Fished all sizes of them for years before buzzbaits were introduced. The key to Jbuggin is matching the bait and equipment to get best sound and action results. Also choosing the time and the place and working correct cadence depending on wind and light conditions. Fabulous night time bait.....
Back in the day, I fished Florida lakes at night with Muskie Jitterbugs and Jigger poles.....Many multi 10 lb fish nights so I'm kinda partial to the Jbugs
Big O
www.ragetail.com
SMfisher reply :
i agree with fathom about the heart attack there's nothing like it, in the still of the night your jitterbug is slowly comming toward you and you hear a sucking sound behind your jitterbug-you stop for a second then SPLASH you see the water explode in the moon light you know its a big fish you can tell by the sound of the splash, your clutch is singing and your mind going wild, the fight is on hold your pole high and enjoy the moment. just hope its not a muskie you might not get it in if you're not using steel leaders. i wade fish at night 2 to 3 times a week. my favorite ones are black or the chartuse ones but i'll try other colors if i'm not getting any hits.
fishfordollars reply :
July 16, 2005 night tournament on Lake Nacogdoches. Black jitterbug produced five that weighed 24.89.
Marty reply :
Jitterbug has been my favorite topwater for 10+ years. I don't fish at night, but I catch fish on it in sunlight and low light conditions. I don't know what I'd do without them.
fisher of bass reply :
QuoteOne of my biggest producers. 5/8 Black at night or low light situation or Perch Jitter stick or Musky Jitterbug in the day.They have always been a great bait and I love seeing posts that they are not, the fish see less of them that way :
The trick is to get that steady Bloop, bloop , bloop thing going on.
Some times you have to bend the bills slightly inwards to get the right sound on a steady cadence
also It pays to cut ( do not unscrew the hook holders) off the stock trebles and add some split rings and hang a better treble on them
Good Luck and have fun, great old dependable lure!
muddy, i have a bunch of old jointed jitterbugs,[coachdog color,black] 5/8oz with the original rusted hooks, what size split rings and treble hooks should i replace them with ? tia
=Matt 5.0= reply :
Black Jitterbug in the rain.... cha ching.
Dan: reply :
I don't know why I don't use Jitterbugs more often. Everytime I have used them I have done well but for some reason I tie on other topwaters first.
Muddy reply :
VMC's #1 >>>I do not know what size the split rings are, I bought them with a bunch of stuff at a yard sale and they were in an unmarked medicine vial, sorry
eyedabassman reply :
I guide at night and the Jitterbug is my top, topwater bait! But I fish the BIG black Jitterbug. But I change all the hooks and I use VMC 5/0 hooks. When smallmouth come up and slap at it, they get hooked because the VMC's one if not the best hooks for this bait!
Muddy reply :
the 5/8 come stock with #1's the Musky with 1/0 or 2/0. On the 5/8 I like ther action and hook up ratio with the #1's, Marty is more knowledgable on this as I have only switched out o for this year and Marty gave me my first pointers
If you can find some of the old JITTER STICKS, not too expensive on ebay They Slay Smallies
dave reply :
A friend who is a guide also guides at night. He uses a musky size jointed jitterbug. Long cast on a long, stout rod.
Muddy reply :
Hey Dave: Do you have a link for the jointed Musky Jitterbug, all I can find is the straight and all they list in the current catalog is straight I would love to try a Jointed model, I didnt know they even made one
Thanks!
BassFishingMachine reply :
QuoteYes, Jitterbugs are one of the best night fishing lures ever. I like the black jitterbugs the most for night fishing.
Agree 100%, the black jitterbug has to be one of the best, if not the best topwater night lures. Also works great in overcast conditions.
For day I like the bluegill pattern (particularly around spawn), I've caught some real quality fish on that lure. I kill em every season with the bluegill pattern jitterbug just before the spawn when the bass are really aggressive, they really go crazy on it then. I do pretty well with the jointed frog pattern jitterbug too, I like that color in more of a padded/weeded enviorment.
Only thing I have against them, is the hooks are garbage, but other then that its a truly great bait if you ask me.
eyedabassman reply :
QuoteA friend who is a guide also guides at night. He uses a musky size jointed jitterbug. Long cast on a long, stout rod.
Yes, that is the size that I use too! Gander carrys them too. Try fishing them at night in the post spawn, and hold on to the rod. I was guiding last summer on a night trip and the guy did not have a good hold of the rod and I lost rod and reel! :'( it was worth about $ 200. But what the hey it happens. He did offer to pay for the rig. I told him to just forget it, he was alot of fun to fish with!
Muddy reply :
Hey Fellas; I believe you are all fishing the 5/8 ounce Jointed Jitterbug. I just checked several Muskie Tackle Sites and then the Lurenet site( Lure net makes Arbogsat now) and they all only list a straight bodied Musky Jitterbug.
Big Tom reply :
I would classify them as great. There is nothing fancy about a jitterbug and there is no special technique required to use them. Just cast them out and reel them back in nice and slow and steady. I hadn't used one until last season and I caught fish the very first time I threw it. If that doesn't give you confidence in something then I don't know what will. I would suggest adding one to your topwater arsenal again because they still work and I think they are probably so old many fisherman ignore them for more fancy offerings.
CWB reply :
Muddy is 100% correct. The musky jitterbug is not jointed and has 3 hooks, one on each side in the middle and one in the back.Outstanding night bait for monsters.
http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/26/page/1/id/85/name/ArbogastMuskyJitterbug
Catt reply :
If you ever want to check your heart out throw one at night during the new moon
P.S.: nothing will ever replace Jitterbugs
Blue Streak reply :
Buzzbaits are great, but I like the Jitterbug because you can bring it into cover and stop it and the bass will blow up on them.
Muddy reply :
Hey Blue Streak: Something not mentioned here yet. Especially in and around cove. If you get a blow up but miss a Jitterbug strike, always have another rod with a worm 9 I like to use a trigged/weightless rig. Throw it a little beyond where you got the missed hit and slowly work it, you know there is an aggressive fish there and frequently the worm will do the trick.
moby bass reply :
Quotehave had some of my best heart attacks fishing a jitterbug at night.
X2 The warm serene summer night, crickets chirping, soft glug glug from the glass smooth pond or lake, and then...the water explodes when you're least expecting it.
Raul reply :
Are Jitterbugs still great?
It 's not easy for a lure to stand after 50 years in the market.
dave reply :
QuoteHey Dave: Do you have a link for the jointed Musky Jitterbug, all I can find is the straight and all they list in the current catalog is straight I would love to try a Jointed model, I didnt know they even made oneThanks!
He is a flea market junky. He goes to every fishing flea market in the area during the late winter.
wavewalker reply :
jitterbugs . but they get to many small fish to you get into the bigger lures. like muskie size lures .
Muddy reply :
I live in Eastern PA, and I get more than my share of chunks with a 5/8 ounce size.
eyedabassman reply :
Quotejitterbugs . but they get to many small fish to you get into the bigger lures. like muskie size lures .
OH, NOT TRUE!
Stasher1 reply :
I picked up a black one about a year ago and the cup/bill is screwed on crooked. I tried using it a couple times, but it just pulls too hard to the side for me. It's now sitting in my collection of cranks that'll never make it back out to the water. Maybe I ought to email Arbogast about a replacement.
Marc David reply :
Well Blue Streak, I think the answer is obvious, jitterbugs are still great. After 3 pages of posts, I can't find really any negative feedback. The jitterbug is a lure that will never get old and go out of style. They have a 4.8 rating out of 5 on Bass Pro, and that's with 70+ reviews there. Everyone reading this topic that doesn't own, go out and buy one. It will be your best investment in bass fishing.
eyedabassman reply :
QuoteWell Blue Streak, I think the answer is obvious, jitterbugs are still great. After 3 pages of posts, I can't find really any negative feedback. The jitterbug is a lure that will never get old and go out of style. They have a 4.8 rating out of 5 on Bass Pro, and that's with 70+ reviews there. Everyone reading this topic that doesn't own, go out and buy one. It will be your best investment in bass fishing.
X 100, well said! 
SkilletSizeBass. reply :
The old Jitterbug will always be in my box, although I rarely fish it like I use to, I'm not sure why...... because I use to do fairly good on it and man was it fun watching em hit it ;D
I guess part of it is I don't do much night fishing anymore.
Run that Jitterbug parallel and close to the bank at night time and hang on
Muddy reply :
Actually they are way more effective over submerged weed beds at night, bigger fish!
=Matt 5.0= reply :
QuoteI picked up a black one about a year ago and the cup/bill is screwed on crooked.
Bend it back with your thumb and index finger.... I have to tweak mine all the time. I carry 6 of them in my box, and sometimes they need to adjusted.
A-Jay reply :
QuoteAre Jitterbugs still great?It 's not easy for a lure to stand after 50 years in the market.
No question - My Dad gave me his "favorite topwater bait" some where around 1970ish
(I'll let you do the math - I'm in denial
The cool thing is, it Glows in the dark - a few minutes in front of my headlamp and I have some crazy exciting night bass action. I am also a big fan of the black model as well, and I think the black one is the more consistant producer, but there is something seriously wild about watching that eary green glow crawl it's way along. On those very calm dark nights you can see it for most of the entire retrieve. It just kills me with anticipation all the way back to the boat. Every bass on this vintage bait always reminds be of my Dad. He started it all. Thanks Dad.
A-Jay
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
QuoteI picked up a black one about a year ago and the cup/bill is screwed on crooked.
They are offset for a reason not by much
Muddy reply :
QuoteQuoteI picked up a black one about a year ago and the cup/bill is screwed on crooked.They are offset for a reason not by much
Geez,That's news to me. I am sitting in front of quite a few right now, been using them for a while and the lip is one piece, and not off set.
Your problem may be caused by a bent lip, use your fingers the lips are very pliable and easy to manipulate , bend it until it runs true.
Stasher1 reply :
It's not as simple as bending the lip, unfortunately. The cup was mounted to the body crooked. If I remove the forward screw and rotate the cup to make it line up, it's off by roughly the diameter of the screw hole. I'm going to have to elongate the hole in the cup so it'll line up. Simple solution, and cheaper than the postage to ship it back.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
one screw is up and one down its a visual trick actaully lay it flat on a table yall will see what i mean. Measure the lip from one side to the other from the middle its slightly smaller
Muddy reply :
QuoteIt's not as simple as bending the lip, unfortunately. The cup was mounted to the body crooked. If I remove the forward screw and rotate the cup to make it line up, it's off by roughly the diameter of the screw hole. I'm going to have to elongate the hole in the cup so it'll line up. Simple solution, and cheaper than the postage to ship it back.
Hey Dawg I have a few extras, PM me with your addy and they are on their way
=Matt 5.0= reply :
QuoteIt's not as simple as bending the lip, unfortunately. The cup was mounted to the body crooked. If I remove the forward screw and rotate the cup to make it line up, it's off by roughly the diameter of the screw hole. I'm going to have to elongate the hole in the cup so it'll line up. Simple solution, and cheaper than the postage to ship it back.
Oh bummer...
=Matt 5.0= reply :
QuoteHey Dawg I have a few extras, PM me with your addy and they are on their way
There ya go!
Stasher1 reply :
Quoteone screw is up and one down its a visual trick actaully lay it flat on a table yall will see what i mean. Measure the lip from one side to the other from the middle its slightly smaller
No visual trick here...
QuoteHey Dawg I have a few extras, PM me with your addy and they are on their way
Man, that's extremely nice of you, and I really do appreciate it, but I've already fixed mine. I took the cup off, centered it on the body, redrilled the 5/64" holes in the cup and 1/16" pilot holes in the body, and remounted the cup with a dab of superglue under each screw for good measure. Problem solved.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Stasher1 im sorry i just looked at all of my bugs and all of them are like yours even my 20 yr old ones man i musta missed that long time ago i never noticed but i sure caught a lot of fish >maybe you should contact arbogast ?? that slight offset sure made them bugs gurgle though imma miss that if they make um straightQuoteQuoteone screw is up and one down its a visual trick actaully lay it flat on a table yall will see what i mean. Measure the lip from one side to the other from the middle its slightly smallerNo visual trick here...
QuoteHey Dawg I have a few extras, PM me with your addy and they are on their way
Man, that's extremely nice of you, and I really do appreciate it, but I've already fixed mine. I took the cup off, centered it on the body, redrilled the 5/64" holes in the cup and 1/16" pilot holes in the body, and remounted the cup with a dab of superglue under each screw for good measure. Problem solved.
Blue Streak reply :
The other day Bill Dance talked about buying his first Jitterbug in 1948 for 85 cents and catching his first bass on it. Sixty years of success is very outstanding.
Marc David reply :
QuoteThe other day Bill Dance talked about buying his first Jitterbug in 1948 for 85 cents and catching his first bass on it. Sixty years of success is very outstanding.
I saw that show too. Now those things are $5.69, but worth it.
BassNub reply :
My only problem with them is that they're so light.
Muddy reply :
Youre Kidding , RIGHT???????
the 5/8 ounce casts like a rocket
and the Musky Jitterbug is 1 and 1/4 ounces
neither of these are light :-?
jman reply :
the musky one cast extremely far as do the 5/8, the smaller ones are alil on the light side but they still cast good on my older procaster s rod
LCpointerKILLA reply :
I am looking forward to your responses to my position, because I think jitterbugs have a great action, but other topwaters I use are way more productive, so the only time I will use a jitterbug is on a heavily pressured body of water.
Also, if the buzzbait was as old as the jitterbug, we would still be using it more consistently than the jitterbug because it is a better lure.
Muddy reply :
Jitterbugs work great at bringing in big bass : ON PRESSURED LAKES, UNPRESSURED LAKES, AT NIGHT, IN THE DAY,ON STILL WATER AND CHOPPY WATER. I guess that article you read about pressured water is not really on the money!!!
Truth is you will not find a more effective or versatile top water bait, including those 19 dollar Sammy's and you can't argue with 50 plus years of great success.
Catt reply :
FYI
By the late 1800s most of the major tackle stores carried several spinners that could be successfully buzzed, if the angler so desired. The bass spinners shown to the left have blades that are quite similar to some of the lures being manufactured today. These spinners were advertised in the 1890 Abbey & Imbrie catalog .
1934: Fred Arbogast carves his first Jitterbug.
Muddy reply :
Hey Catt, wasn't the first Lure made out of bone, or was it a spoon. I figured you are old enough to remember
Blue Streak reply :
I had no idea that it has been on the market for that long. I wonder if any other lure has been offered for sale for that many years?
Raul reply :
QuoteI figured you are old enough to remember
Yeah, right, look who 's talkin '. :
bladeslinger reply :
bloop-blop-bloop-blop-bloop-blop-bloop-blop-bloop-blop-BLAM !!!!
I love this at night. Had them blast it a foot away from my rod tip. Hooks do suck, I always replace with triple grips. A lot of these fish come right on the bank.
Big Tom reply :
What I really love about the Jitterbug is that it lets you know when you are working it right. When you get it going at that slow pace and it starts making that midrangish blub blub blub sound, you know its just a matter of time before it gets annihilated.
baboosicbass08 reply :
I was introduced to jitterbugs last year my uncle gave me some of his old tackle and I tried the jitterbug that night and absolutely loved it. Now its my #1 producing bait at night, always have one tied at night, like others have said if you're fishing in a quiet area it definately keeps you awake blub..blub..blub..BAM
Bankbeater reply :
I started using the black 5/8 size last year in the fall after reading what everyone on the site was saying about them.
Muddy
Thanks for the tip with the split rings.
Muddy reply :
I got that from Marty , so thank him, just passing it on 8-)
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