The Jitterbug - an epiphany 2025
BrianSnat reply :
I've been bass fishing for 40 some years and always loved topwater plugs in the evening when the water is calm, but had a love hate relationship with the Jitterbug. When I could retrieve it without it tangling it worked great, but it would come back tangled in its own hooks over half the time. Very frustrating. It got so I barely used them anymore.
The other evening I tied one on for the first time in a long time. True to form it came back tangled 4 of my first 5 casts. I was about to give up, but I took another cast and it came back OK, another caught a bass and the next came back fine.
I used it the rest of the night without a single tangle. What was different? After 40 years, I changed the way I worked it. Previously I would give it a good jerk, kind of like I do with a popper. I'm guessing that is where the tangling occurred.
This time I gave it only very light twitches, enough to make a little splash. It made all the difference in the world. Too bad it only took me 40 years to figure it out. Oh, and I nailed 5 bass with it.
Blue Streak reply :
Don't feel too bad about that. I have been at it for about 60 years and some days I forget to unhook the boat before I put the trailer in the water. :-[
Love those Jitterbugs and I just give them a straight retrieve.
oprcsr reply :
I love the jitterbug at night, I'm a bit ashamed of myself because my newer plugs are always used instead of it (new toys I guess). The way I've always used it was throw it, let it sink, and then slowly reel it back in with no twitches or anything.
tyrius. reply :
I've always used a fairly steady retrieve with the jitterbug. I've never fished it with sharp twitches (like a popper).
Haven't used it much in the past few years. No real reason why. I should probably dig it back out.
EdKras reply :
Steady retrieve. Start with your rod tip high and gradually lower it as it comes back.
Grey Wolf reply :
QuoteI love the jitterbug at night, I'm a bit ashamed of myself because my newer plugs are always used instead of it (new toys I guess). The way I've always used it was throw it, let it sink, and then slowly reel it back in with no twitches or anything.
It sinks ?
oprcsr reply :
oh no, not sink, sit. I let it sit for a few seconds before starting to reel it in. my mistake:)
slonezp reply :
I can't catch a bass for the life of me on a Jitterbug, but the muskies won't leave them alone. Problem is they destroy the lure.
BrianSnat reply :
QuoteI've always used a fairly steady retrieve with the jitterbug. I've never fished it with sharp twitches (like a popper).Haven't used it much in the past few years. No real reason why. I should probably dig it back out.
I generally twitch then let it sit about 3 or 4 times, then use a steady retrieve the rest of the way
bassin is addicting reply :
Don't feel too bad about that. I have been at it for about 60 years and some days I forget to unhook the boat before I put the trailer in the water. ;D
jitterbug has been one of my favorites for years. i still get made fun of from my boater when he sees i have one tied on for the first morning run in a tourney...but they soon find out IT FLAT OUT CATCHES FISH!! i think one reason it still works is that anglers are too busy using "the new, hottest" lures.
cast...let it sit. then slow steady retrieve. and don't try to set the hook too soon...
it is addicting...
DRhodes reply :
I'm fairly young, but I have several lures older then I. The Jitterbug is one of those. I really love the quality of the old Lures which were made here in the USA. Recently I purchased several new Jitterbugs and was shocked at the low quality of lures which comes out of China. I actually gave them away because I refuse to fish with something like that. I guess thats why I use
Ardent XS1000
St Croix Legend
Power Pro Line
and USA made lures and plastics
because the quality of other lures is simply lacking. I know you have the exceptions with Rapala, but in general when these companies (Rebel, Arborgast Pfluger) shipped overseas they lost alot.
Eh thats my rant for the day haha. Good luck fishing them, and I hope some of you have the chance to fish the old Jitterbugs because they truly were a much better lure.
Derek
Catt reply :
Back in the early 60s my favorite 2 lures were the Jitterbug & Hula Popper 
The Jitterbug rhythm is what I listen for, once I catch a bass I repeat the rhythm.
Blue Streak reply :
That is exactly right Catt, it's the rhythm that makes that bait work, I can't explain it, but you will know it when it happens.
bear7625 reply :
I always had problems with tangled hooks on Jitterbugs. What I did was cut off original hooks and replaced with split ring and smaller treble. Solved problem.
moby bass reply :
QuoteI can't catch a bass for the life of me on a Jitterbug, but the muskies won't leave them alone. Problem is they destroy the lure.
So? ;D
Dave P reply :
I used to use them exclusively! And then they invented Rapalas...
snuffy33 reply :
QuoteI used to use them exclusively! And then they invented Rapalas...
True.
Dan: reply :
Wait, why would you pop a steady retrieve bait if it made the hooks tangle?
slonezp reply :
QuoteQuoteI can't catch a bass for the life of me on a Jitterbug, but the muskies won't leave them alone. Problem is they destroy the lure.So? ;D
Mo' money Mo'money
bass or bass ? reply :
I've used Jitterbugs and Hula Poppers all my life. Love 'em!
moby bass reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteI can't catch a bass for the life of me on a Jitterbug, but the muskies won't leave them alone. Problem is they destroy the lure.So? ;D
Mo' money Mo'money
Man what I wouldn't give to have some Musky destroy a Jitterbug. I'd release the Musky and mount the lure on the wall. ;D
Marty reply :
Jitterbug is my favorite lure. I'll fish it anytime, including hot, sunny afternoons. I just use a steady retrieve.
Unfortunately, they have lousy components and from out-of-the-box to my tackle bag requires some modifications, some of which have been mentioned previously.
Lipped M reply :
Agreed,I too "listen" to this bait.Have good results with the black unjointed type.
shootermcbob reply :
I have a black jointed jitterbug that is beat-up. the "bill" has been bent and straightened a bunch. It catches fish...like mad. I fish it early and late. I had a couple boaters "infringe" on my fishing area and one actually asked me " you aren't throwing a jitterbug, are you?" (By infringed, I mean they trolled right threw the area I was fishing from the back....did not go around, just cruised thru.)
I said yes I am fishing with a jitterbug. He and his partner mumbled back and forth and giggled between themselves. I then caught not one but two bass along the rip rap they had just cruised threw.
I did not say a word, but felt like the jitterbug had said enough.
SuskyDude reply :
Slow steady retrieve- bloop,bloop,bloop,bloop- I love that sound!
I replace the crappy hooks with Owner's, as well as add a split ring to each hook hanger. More hook ups and less tangled hooks.
Diablos reply :
For the guys targeting large bass here is the Jitterbug you want
5" 3oz
lips
PondHunter reply :
I have had alot of success with the Jitterbug in the Forg pattern, and Black at night is just awesome. I haven't used it much lately since I finally got somewhat proficient with the Texas rigged worm Fliippin' and Pitchin', but the jitterbug definitely works. Even Bluegill will try to eat one! The factory hooks need replaced though, and with a split ring attached as well.
snuffy33 reply :
Where do you get those lips ?
Ojurb reply :
what i like about the jitterbug is that it can be used in a few ways.
in warm shallow and calm water i use it like a delicate popper, a few soft pops and then a lil twich of the linelet it sit and repeat.
in deeper water i preffer the annoy method, just kepp throwing it in the same area , let it sit until the water is still again, the start a steady retrieve, do this a couple of times to get he fish angry at this thing that keep jumoung in and swiming away, then ill throw it and start retreaving slow, then stop it and twitch it then let it sit for a few second, and start a slow retrive they will normally hit it as soon as it starts moving
bear7625 reply :
QuoteFor the guys targeting large bass here is the Jitterbug you want5" 3oz
lips
They're also making a smaller size.
http://lemiresplugworks.com
BrianSnat reply :
QuoteWait, why would you pop a steady retrieve bait if it made the hooks tangle?
I was always under the impression that it was both a popping and steady retrieve bait. However if I knew it was the popping action that caused the hooks to tangle I would have stopped doing it 40 years ago.
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