Tips for Soft Jerkbaits

When the Lunker City Slug Go first hit the bass fishing scene in 1989, most anglers didn't quite know what to make of it. This soft plastic creation was elongated like a worm, yet shaped somewhat like a loaf of bread; rather blunt at both ends, curved on one side, flat on the other. Unlike a worm, it lacked an action tail that writhed and wriggled. And instead of being designed for probing thick cover and deep ledges like a worm, the Slug Go was deadliest in the upper portion of the water column, where it darts and settles like an injured baitfish. In the past decade, soft jerkbaits have become standard tools in the arsenals of every bass pro, and their realistic action has been discovered by most weekend anglers, as well. Yet, the rule book is still being written on how, when and where to fish them. Following are some tips on rigging and fishing these deadly lures.

The Gold Standard: Bass are highly attracted to the slow, erratic movements of a dying baitfish. This look is easy to imitate with a soft jerkbait rigged in the traditional "Texposed" method. "Texposing" is the standard soft jerkbait rigging method used by most anglers. An offset shank worm hook, the kind most bassers use when Texas rigging a plastic worm, is inserted through the head, then out the back through the body, just as you'd Texas rig a plastic worm. But instead of the hook point being buried in the body of the lure as in plastic wormin", the point lies exposed, protected from hangups in the groove on the lure's back. Classic soft jerkin' calls for rigging the lure without a sinker and only the weight of the hook to make it sink. The biggest mistake anglers make when fishing a weightless soft jerkbait is imparting too much action to the rod tip while the lure is sinking. The lure is designed to be worked slowly and gently. Watch it as it descends horizontally through the water column, then just lift the rod tip or twitch it gently to the side to give the bait a slow, darting action. This slow, erratic movement is what calls the bass. Over fishing the lures gives it an unnatural look. When Texposing a soft jerkbait, take care that the hook is rigged dead center along the body of the worm. Many anglers new to soft jerkbaiting complain about excessive line twist. By keeping the hook on the center line of the lure and fishing it gently, line twist shouldn't be a problem. Another hassle noted by some soft jerkbaiters  using the standard rigging method is missing too many fish that strike. Plastic worm fishermen have been conditioned to rear back and hammer the bass as soon as they see the line twitch. When you see a bass take a jerkbait, your strike/hook up ratio will increase if you wait a second or two before setting the hook. Again, make sure the hook point is totally exposed on top of the lure, not buried in it's body.

Stinger Rig: A soft jerkbait can also be easily rigged with a stinger hook. This is a deadly method in highly pressured lakes and in gin clear water, when bass can be so wary that they swim up to a lure and bump it with their head or body rather than striking aggressively. This method is especially effective on smallmouth and spotted bass. The stinger rig is much like the Texposed rig, with one exception. After running the worm hook out the belly of the lure, the point is passed through the eye of a small treble hook before being reinserted. The treble stinger can be allowed to dangle freely, or you can stick one or two of the treble's prongs into the belly of the bait to keep the stinger stationary. Occasionally the stinger hook may snare a bass in the side of the head or body. Since the fish may be only lightly hooked, it is recommended to use a soft action rod with this trailer hook technique for maximum shock absorption during the battle to the boat. 

The Drop Shot Method: This method is unbelievably deadly from spring through fall in deep, rocky lakes with sloping banks, long points and offshore humps, and is arguably the best way to fish a soft jerkbait in deep water. The drop shot rig works best with a tiny soft jerk such as a 3 inch Slug Go. Tie a small hook, such as a No.4 sproat or baitholder hook, to your line with a polymer knot and nose hook the jerkbait. Leave the tag end of the line long (around 18 inches for starters), the squeeze a split shot or tie a bell sinker to the end. Cast the rig to a point or hump and retrieve it slowly with the sinker dragging bottom. In water over 25 feet deep, try vertical fishing the rig as you would a jigging spoon. The drop shot rig allows you to fish a small jerkbait in deep water without adding weight to the lure itself, making it an especially effective presentation for marginally active bass. The lure is elevated off the bottom, alternately suspending and darting like an injured shad, and providing an easy meal for a sluggish fish. 

The Twitch Rig: When bass are lurking around holes in hydrilla or milfoil, along weedlines in natural lakes, or on top of dense vegetation growing a few feet under the surface, the twitch rig, which is similar to a wacky worm rig, will draw powerhouse strikes. Turn a soft jerkbait upside down and rig a small offset worm or baitholder hook sideways through the middle. When twitched, both ends of the lure will flap and wiggle, thereby attracting the attention or weed bound bass. Let the lure settle slowly between twitches so it just touches the top of the grass.

Bait Chaser Rig: When large numbers of bass are following schools of shad in late spring or early fall, this rig is guaranteed to put a bend in your rod. Take a heavy duty swivel and tie your main line to one end. Then tie two leader lines, one 18 inches and the other 24 inches, to the opposite ring. Attach a small jerkbait like a 4 1/2 inch Slug Go to the shorter leader, and a slightly larger lure, such as a 5 inch Fin S Fish, to the longer leader. When you spot bass busting minnows on the surface, cast the bait chaser rig out, let it a foot or so, then simply reel it in slowly and steadily back to the boat, occasionally accenting the retrieve with a twitch of the rod tip. This rig mimics a small bass chasing a baitfish. Feeding predators like bass aree highly competitive, and chances are good that another bass will rush out to snatch the potential prey away from what it perceives to be another gamefish. When bass are busting baitfish on the surface, don't be surprised if you hook two fish at once on this rig.

The Weed Wacker: Soft jerkbaits are typically not thought of as weed intensive lures, but this rigging method allows the bait to be fished in the thickest grass with a minimum of hangups. When bass are heavily pressured, or lethargic following a frontal passage, this is a dynamite way to finesse a strike. The soft jerkbait or your choice is first rigged with a Texposed worm hook, then a belly sinker is pinched onto the shaft. the weight gets the bait down into the grass quickly. Present the lure much like you would a jig, by making short pitches into thick grass and shaking the rod tip to ease the bait down through the cover. If you don't get a strike, reel in and pitch it out again. Sooner or later a big bass will grab it. Dousing the lure with liquid fish attractant or cooking oil will allow it to slide through dense grass more easily. 

The rigs mentioned above are just a few of the many ways soft plastic jerkbaits can be fished. Try one on a simple jighead for deeper, cold water bass. Insert nails for weight and to make the bait sink different ways. The possibilities are endless.