Jitterbug size and color 2024

Hop reply :

In your experience what has been the most productive size and color jitterbug?

guest reply :

3/8 ounce, Black or frog. On some evenings( Favorite time for me to fish em) the jointed seems to get more hits than the solid ones 8-)

tkite16 reply :

I agree jointed black!!!

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

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I agree jointed black!!!

ANY color

=Matt 5.0= reply :

I might step up next summer and start throwing the 5/8 oz

guest reply :

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I might step up next summer and start throwing the 5/8 oz

Hey Matt I have em, but haven't thrown them yet I got an old Arboghast Jitter Stick ( Longer version, with prop in back, discontinued) and I went to that when i wnated to go larger. Killed em this year, even though Zel kept poking fun at my use of OLD LURES 8-)

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

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I might step up next summer and start throwing the 5/8 oz

BEAT IT,...find your own patterns ;D 8-)

guest reply :

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I might step up next summer and start throwing the 5/8 oz

BEAT IT,...find your own patterns ;D 8-)

IF I COULD FIND A FEW MORE JITTER STICKS I WOULD YOU MOOK ;D

=Matt 5.0= reply :

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I might step up next summer and start throwing the 5/8 oz

BEAT IT,...find your own patterns ;D 8-)

I remember someone busting my chops for pitching a Hula Popper this year..... If I see a guy in a red boat with a Hula Pooper next summer I'm gonna be suspicious ;D

guest reply :

He probablly give it to Michelle to fish with so you can't rag him

I SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CHALLANGE NEXT YEAR LBH VS 2 MOOKS IN A BOAT :

ABC123 reply :

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In your experience what has been the most productive size and color jitterbug?

Yellow and frog, I have caught more fish on the 3/8 vs. the 5/8, but mostly becouse I have fished the 3/8 a lot more than the 5/8. Moving up to the 5/8 was new to me in the spring of '06, but I have been using the 3/8 for many, many years.

guest reply :

Wow that is incedible, Russ says color don't matter, black outfishes all others for me, and Pfluemis has most of his luck with yellow and frog, pretty amazing chasing the same fish and regioanlly different results 8-)

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

You're catching on black because that's what you are throwing.

I'm catching on whatever color was closest when it was time to tie on because that's what I'm throwing.

ABC123 reply :

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Wow that is incedible, Russ says color don't matter, black outfishes all others for me, and Pfluemis has most of his luck with yellow and frog, pretty amazing chasing the same fish and regioanlly different results 8-)

While I have no problem with the thought that color doesn't matter, I prefer to stick with white and yellow/gold becouse it is a natural color for the bottom of a lot of fish. My theory is, if a fish sees a white or yellow stripe active on the waters surface, it will think it's a fish topwater feeding and it will be easy pray as it has few choices for escape routes. Just a theory I have, becouse I don't really know what a Bass is actually thinking, I can't read it's mind.

StatosDadRI reply :

One night a few years ago the bite was on and we threw every jitterbug I owned till we had no more. That night was a 50 plus night and once the jitterbugs were gone we went to hulla poppers till they were all gone. Color & size made no differnece.

That next winter I found a EBAY auction of at least 20 of them for about $50.00 brand new. Many times anglers on my boat use jitter bugs and have never seen a big differnce in color to strike ratio.

What i will tell you is that I'm a jitterbug freak ok therapy hasnt worked. There are some wild color jitterbugs out there called STRONG version. I also own a rare glow in the dark one that you put near a light and the name explains the rest. One time I threw it out and it never landed matter of fact it just keep going and upwards. Tin2Win and I after a bit of OH S__T'S we figured a bat must of latched on to it and took it a few hundred feet. Being out on a deseted lake around midnight I do recall replacing the CALVINS once home.

LBH those jitterbugs in your pictures look just like my missing collection from a certain empty PLANO BOX in my boat.

Marty reply :

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In your experience what has been the most productive size and color jitterbug?

I can't say. For years I used the 3/8 oz. but switched mostly to 5/8 oz. a couple of years ago, but I can't say one is more productive than the other. Nor can I see a difference between regular and jointed models.

The only color I use is black. Again, I can't say if that color is any better or worse than others, but I have confidence that owning and using an assortment of colors wouldn't net me any more fish.

I truly believe if a fish is willing to respond to the Jitterbug's type of action, it won't be that fussy.

moby bass reply :

I didn't see anyone say they had any success with the white/red head Jitterbug. Anyone?

I have an old one from about the early seventies. I honestly don't know if I've ever caught

anything on it. For many years though I didn't fish. I put some red trebles on it this year

and I'll try it more next season. Black at night has been my best producer.

guest reply :

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LBH those jitterbugs in your pictures look just like my missing collection from a certain empty PLANO BOX in my boat.

BUSTED

BassFishingMachine reply :

I use 3/8 and 5/8, and they both work pretty well. The 5/8 seems to shine most during prespawn. As for colors I really haven't noticed a increase/decrease in hits by the color of the jitterbug, I use black, Frog, white with black spots, and bluegill and they all get bit. Although I have rules I follow to determine what color im going to throw, if this makes a difference I couldn't say, but its a confidence thing. I use the frog pattern during daylight in seasons where the temperature is warm, and frogs are about. I use bluegill anytime around spawn during the daylight. Just because bass seem to feed alot on bluegills during this time due to the fact that they eat their eggs, Ive caught many bass during spawn with bluegills half way down their throat, so I feel most confident with this color anytime around/during spawn. Once it gets dark I'll use black, only because I believe black is the most visible at night. I'll throw the white during early fall because I believe the fish are feeding more on baitfish so can't go wrong with white if your trying to imitiate baitfish. I'll also throw frog patterns during early fall too. But like I said I don't really notice a increase of hits or anything due to color, the rule I follow is all confidence related, but confidence is one of the most important things in fishing so im going to stick with my color selection rule .

By the way, you guys saying you mainly use black jitterbugs, do you mean you fish it even during daylight? I always thought black was a unnatural color so I mainly stay away from it for hard lures during daylight. (disregarding muddy water conditions with softbaits), I fish it at night only because I feel everything is going to look black anyhow, so might as well use a solid black for the best shiluette effect.

grimlin reply :

I'm inexperience to at least say on topwater lures...how do you guys work the jitterbug? A slow steady retrieve?

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Absolutely black during the day. They are hitting the action/sound, track-ability, vulnerability, etc. They don't care if it's black, purple or tie dyed lol plenty of food in their world is black, even the colored things when light is low.

I just feel color is over thought 85% of the time.

basser89 reply :

Black is the only one I've ever thrown but only in low-light conditions or at night. I've used jointed (which I prefer) and the solid bodied ones in the 3/8oz size, the jointed seem to work better for me.

HOWEVER, am I the only one that has had bad experiences with them lately?????? The last couple I've bought (5/8oz jointed) haven't even lasted an outing! No, they weren't taken by a bass (or any other fish for that matter), I've lost the back ends of them. The quality of them over the past couple of years is no where near what it once was (IMO)!!!! Unfortunately, they're off my list of baits to buy and not even the Bait Monkey can talk me into that purchase. :'(

Triton9 reply :

i use the black jitterbug in the medium size, or the huge one if i'm goin fer a hawg

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Basser, are you "tuning" the clicker? If it doesn't work right, it's usually because it HAS worked right and the clicker in the front can get bent from a Hawg chompin' down on it. You can also tweak them by shutting them in a box that just isn't deep enough. Bend the cup in or out till it gets the right sound again.

basser89 reply :

Sorry LBH! Should have been a little clearer. I bought two a while back and on an outing, I tied one on (first time with the clicker style). Made several casts with it (with no luck which was NBD), made another cast and realized it wasn't running right. When I pulled it in, the back half of the bait was missing. I thought it was a fluke so I tied the other one and the same thing happened. With the success I had in the past, I bought a new standard jointed one to regain some confidence in them. After every cast I would inspect the bait. After a period of time (in that outing), I noticed the back half was "unscrewing" itself from the front half. I had never tried to tune it before hand. When I tried to resecure it to the front half, it just made it worse. Sadly, I haven't used one since. :'(

=Matt 5.0= reply :

Basser, I can't comment as mine are all old school 'bugs. Will have to try some new ones in '08.

=Matt 5.0= reply :

PS.....you forgot this one....

ABC123 reply :

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I'm inexperience to at least say on topwater lures...how do you guys work the jitterbug? A slow steady retrieve?

How ever you want. A steady retreive will work, but it works best to play with them. Jerk, pause, jerk, jerk, pause, jerk, pause, or any combo of that. Sometimes a slight pull, like 6 inches, then a pause. Kind of like grandma standing on the porch ringing the dinner bell. Make some noise and they'll come running (swimming) for dinner.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

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Sorry LBH! Should have been a little clearer. I bought two a while back and on an outing, I tied one on (first time with the clicker style). Made several casts with it (with no luck which was NBD), made another cast and realized it wasn't running right. When I pulled it in, the back half of the bait was missing. I thought it was a fluke so I tied the other one and the same thing happened. With the success I had in the past, I bought a new standard jointed one to regain some confidence in them. After every cast I would inspect the bait. After a period of time (in that outing), I noticed the back half was "unscrewing" itself from the front half. I had never tried to tune it before hand. When I tried to resecure it to the front half, it just made it worse. Sadly, I haven't used one since. :'(

Crazy glue to the rescue I noticed my one and only jointed JB was doing this and i put Crazy glue in the hole and its like fort knox now

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

I've never had a jointed one come unscrewed but the super glue trick should solve that.

As for retrieve, there is a ceertain speed (which seems very slow) that makes the bait give off a specific gurggle sound. For me,...that's the sweet spot. Pauses are good but hard jerks like a jerk bait, are not. It's the cadence that drives them nuts IMO. That steady gurgle is very trackable and sometimes, with a pause thrown in there, they just can't put the breaks on and that is the trigger. 90% of the time though, for me, it's a slow, steady retrieve.

My personal favorites are the 5/8's, either jointed or not, doesn't matter. No luck with the big one this yr though. It acts like a different bait in that size, even with the 2 side hooks removed. I just couldn't seem to tune that one to something I was comfortable with. Different sound, different action, I'll stick with the 5/8 for now

Another old Arborghast lure that took some nice fish this yr was the Hula Popper. Talk about "old school",lol. Matt's partner Rick caught a few monsters on that one this yr. It's a funny lure to hear from across the lake,...that tell tale bubble sound, no mistaking it.

Dean reply :

Never even heard of a jitterstick until Muddy brought it up. This lure looks pretty sweet...

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

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Never even heard of a jitterstick until Muddy brought it up. This lure looks pretty sweet...

This one was always a contradictory bait for me. It has a prop which likes a hard yank to get it's attention but has the subtle cup up front which wants a slow, steady retrieve. Just not for me.

If I want a prop bait, I use the Heddon Dying Flutter (a sturdier version of the smithwich devil's horse) or a woodchopper if I want louder props.

shootermcbob reply :

Hey LBH, i just showed my 7 year old daughter (my fishing buddy) the pictures of the fish you caught on the jitterbug. She asked who that guy in the pictures was, and I said he was a fisherman who also helped with this site, and she then replied "Wow, he must be famous". There you have it, you are now famous.

Bassin_Fin@tic reply :

What size or color?? None this is another one of those lures that I couldnt catch a cold with.Just not my thing I guess.I do own a few of them though since they look and sound sooo cool.

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

BassFin@ddict-Slow it down. Creep it till it goes just slow enough to start making a very seductive sound. And then HOLD ON!!

ShooterMC-That's very funny, I'm flattered

guest reply :

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Never even heard of a jitterstick until Muddy brought it up. This lure looks pretty sweet...

This one was always a contradictory bait for me. It has a prop which likes a hard yank to get it's attention but has the subtle cup up front which wants a slow, steady retrieve. Just not for me.

If I want a prop bait, I use the Heddon Dying Flutter (a sturdier version of the smithwich devil's horse) or a woodchopper if I want louder props.

Stop......go....pull.......stop...go......pull>>>>>>HOLD ON!!!!!!!!!

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

Another good idea is to put split rings on all hook hangers and what i do is take each screw out even on the lip and crazy glue it BTW i use VMC barbarians as replacements

ABC123 reply :

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I've never had a jointed one come unscrewed but the super glue trick should solve that.
As for retrieve, there is a ceertain speed (which seems very slow) that makes the bait give off a specific gurggle sound. For me,...that's the sweet spot. Pauses are good but hard jerks like a jerk bait, are not. It's the cadence that drives them nuts IMO. That steady gurgle is very trackable and sometimes, with a pause thrown in there, they just can't put the breaks on and that is the trigger. 90% of the time though, for me, it's a slow, steady retrieve.

My personal favorites are the 5/8's, either jointed or not, doesn't matter. No luck with the big one this yr though. It acts like a different bait in that size, even with the 2 side hooks removed. I just couldn't seem to tune that one to something I was comfortable with. Different sound, different action, I'll stick with the 5/8 for now

Another old Arborghast lure that took some nice fish this yr was the Hula Popper. Talk about "old school",lol. Matt's partner Rick caught a few monsters on that one this yr. It's a funny lure to hear from across the lake,...that tell tale bubble sound, no mistaking it.

Maybe I should have used pull or something instead of jerk it. I guess I should try steady more, but I've alway's had good luck "working" the lure.

Marty reply :

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HOWEVER, am I the only one that has had bad experiences with them lately?????? The last couple I've bought (5/8oz jointed) haven't even lasted an outing! No, they weren't taken by a bass (or any other fish for that matter), I've lost the back ends of them. The quality of them over the past couple of years is no where near what it once was (IMO)!!!! Unfortunately, they're off my list of baits to buy and not even the Bait Monkey can talk me into that purchase.

Like others have mentioned, I remove the screws and put a drop of super glue in the holes which has prevented lots of problems.

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By the way, you guys saying you mainly use black jitterbugs, do you mean you fish it even during daylight?

I use them during the day and have done well at times.

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Cool link, Arbogast history pictoral

LINK

guest reply :

Thanks LBH WAY COOL 8-)

StatosDadRI reply :

One night we were trying to duplicate a previous banner night, mid summer near full moon 10-12 pm and we couldnt catch a thing on a jitterbug till we started throwing them out an just leaving them, I mean for minutes 3-10. We would never hear that wonderfull top water hit. We would just reel in and many, many times we would have a good to great fish on the line.

moby bass reply :

Wow, there are a couple of real nice looking colors that used to be made in the Jitterbug that look like they would work real well. For instance the brown with black stripes. If that doesn't look like a giant Junebug on the water, I don't know what does. The Arbo-Gasters look like the Hot n Tots or Wiggle Warts.

T-rig reply :

This is my favorite:

6749

Jitterbug size and color 2024

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