Favorite early season jerkbaits? 2025

NorthwestBasser reply :

My first tournament this year is coming up on March 18 here in eastern Washington state. We're hoping for open water by then but it may still be fairly cold to down right chilly! So I'm thinking jerkbaits and swim jigs will be the weapons of the day. So what's everyone's favorite cold water, prespawn jerkbaits to tie on?!

Bluebasser86 reply :

I'm a fan of the Lucky Craft Pointer 78 and Luck E Strike RC STX. When it's early on and really cold I'll add a Lucky Craft Staysee 90 into the mix to reach fish still holding in deeper water.

TheGreatOne reply :

Lucky craft pointer 100.... That's all you need as far as jerkbait ... I've tried them all and the LC pointer out produces any jb ever made.... Remember the JB is best in clearer water

Oregon Native reply :

I finding I like the Jackell 95 a lot....colors.....up to you....but these are great baits. Don't forget to fish em slow.

smalljaw67 reply :

On 2/7/2017 at 3:55 PM, TheGreatOne said:

Lucky craft pointer 100.... That's all you need as far as jerkbait ... I've tried them all and the LC pointer out produces any jb ever made.... Remember the JB is best in clearer water

The Pointer 78 and Luck-E-Strike RC STX in the small version. Those two work incredible in the upper 30s and low 40s, past 45 degrees I go up in size to the 100 models. I'd also include the Shadow Rap and Smithwick Rogue elite 8 for the mid 40s and up. I wouldn't go as far as to say the LC Pointer out produces any JB ever made, they all have different triggering qualities that have a time and place. As a matter of fact, I have used a regular Rapala X-Rap and out fished 2 friends who were both using Pointers, and it has happened more than once, and I happen to be a fan of the Pointer, specifically the 78 and the 100. They all have a time and place and I've witnessed cheap baits crush fish while high end models didn't get as much as a sniff and vise-versa, so having a variety they run the proper depth is a must.

Crestliner2008 reply :

I'm a smallmouth bass nut, so my choice can be no other than the X-Rap in Hot Head color. This audacious lure has accounted for more big early season smallies than I can count.

Advantage reply :

I've been a fan of LCs since the 1st time I started throwing them. Also like the RCs and the SK KVDs as well as what I've seen so far of the Megabass. Just got my 1st Ima Flit and like the suspension and action of it too. Did have a problem with it wanting to roll left at faster movements but returned it yesterday for a new one and will reserve my judgement on them as a fluke lemon until I get a chance to see what the new one does.

jbw252 reply :

There are lots of opinions for a favorite jerkbait, but the important tactics for early season fishing with jerkbaits are deep with painfully long pauses on your retrieve. Good luck in the tourney.

A-Jay reply :

There's a few ~

LC Pointer 100 & 100DD,

LC Pointer 78 & 78DD,

Staysee 90,

SK KVD 300 and 300 Deep

A-Jay

Yeajray231 reply :

X-rap. Most jerkbaits dont suspend 100% perfect . Water temp, and the line you're using also have a role in this....

I fill an old tote up with cold water and tweak em with suspenstrips. Til they suspend perfectly . With the nose just slightly pointed down.

I've hooked bass up to 23" on an x-rap. And i know a smallmouth guide who swears by them. If you shop around they can be had for 5-7 bucks.

tander reply :

I really like the Smithwick Rattling Rogue in silver with black back, white belly. They are also one of the cheapest.

Burntorangefan reply :

I've done best on the West side of the mountains, as well as Potholes and Banks using Vision 110s. The two colors that are undeniably the best in the circles I run in are Pro Blue and French Pearl. Orange bellies on either is optional.

Ghostshad reply :

I'm a pointer fan to but a few years ago me & my brother fished all day without a bite & he tied on a X Rap , black & silver & went to catching fish like crazy & i was throwing a pointer 100 but not black & silver & not a bite. Then he lost it & not another bite. I bought a couple & i fished it all spring without changing baits , again X Rap , black & silver . I might of changed baits & colors but i was catching enough fish i wasn't going to. It might not ever happen again , but i got 3 of them , but i probably have 2 & 1/2 boxes of LuckyCrafts , 1 box of Pointers 100 . GodBless

RoLo reply :

In the lakes we fish, a key pattern right now is hydrilla beds in 3 to 5 ft of water, which is a hostile environment

for treble hooks. The most useful jerkbait right now is a T-rigged 'Yum 6¼" Swurm'...really!

Roger

IndianaFinesse reply :

Megabass vision 110 or the lucky craft pointers, depending on whether the bass want it bumping bottom or not, or sometimes the fish simply prefer the action of the pointers.

NorthwestBasser reply :

Thanks for all the replies! Good info here all around. I picked up a rapala shadow rap shad deep in yellow perch to add to what I have, I want a couple vision 110's but I also don't want to lose a 26 dollar lure, haha... I hear one of the Rick clunn's is very comparable at about 7 bucks. Again, thanks for the replies!

Nscheele reply :

My PB smallmouth came on the 08 size rusty craw X-rap. It was early spring here in northwest Colorado and pretty chilly water temperature, mid 40s and chocolate milk water. Just small twitches, about a 15 second pause between each set of two. The x-rap is one of my favorites.

WIGuide reply :

I like the Rapala Shadow Rap and Shadow Rap Deep.

Attila reply :

I'd go with the original slow sinking Shadow Rap and Shadow Rap Deep...good luck on your tourny.

iceintheveins reply :

LC pointer deep, Rapala Shadow Rap Deep, and the Staysee.

thebillsman reply :

I like jerkbaits with cupped bills, much more erratic action and the swim better.

Baker JLD

Megabass Trick Darter

Jackall Squad Minnow

Robert Riley reply :

I've had some good luck this season with the longer shadow raps, and late last fall the Spro McStick in darker colors.

ww2farmer reply :

SK KVD's..................I usually go with the 200, it has consistently produced more and bigger fish for me than the 300.

Hot Rod Johnson reply :

Lucky Craft Staysees 90 ver.2 in Nishiki, T-Rock, and Ghost Baby Bluegill colors.

webertime reply :

I'll pile on...

X-Raps

Pointer 100 and 78

Clunn

Rogue

all already mentioned.

40-50 degrees for me I would add.

LC Slender Pointer 97 KILLS smallies in cold water up here.

LC Flash Minnow for working those areas that are 5' or so deep with rocks (they are shallow baits and don't snag much).

Hot Rod Johnson reply :

On 2/10/2017 at 2:14 AM, Hot Rod Johnson said:

Lucky Craft Staysees 90 ver.2 in Nishiki, T-Rock, and Ghost Baby Bluegill colors.

RoLo reply :

It seems that Lucky Craft Pointer heads the list.

Offering no help for the opposition, my favorite hard jerkbait is the 'LC Pointer 78'

Roger

CTBassin860 reply :

1st bait tied on this year was the LC Pointer 78.

8878

Favorite early season jerkbaits? 2025

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