How to Fish With Plastic Jerk Baits

Soft plastic jerk baits, such as the Flapp'n Shad made by the Gambler lure company, have a seductive action when retrieved through the water. Anglers can retrieve soft jerk baits in a variety of ways, but nearly all will result in strikes, depending on the mood of the fish. An aggressive retrieve works well when fish are feeding actively, for example, while a slower retrieve is better when the water is cold. Soft jerk baits are especially productive when fished in shallow water.

Things You'll Need

  • 4/0 fishing hook
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spool 8-pound-test fishing line on a 6- to 7-foot fishing rod.

    • 2

      Tie a size-4/0 hook to the end of the 8-pound fishing line.

    • 3

      Push the point of the hook into the middle of the front of the plastic jerk bait. Push it in about a quarter of an inch, and then push it out through the bottom of the bait.

    • 4

      Thread the soft plastic jerk bait up the shank of the hook, and then turn the hook 180 degrees so it faces the bait. Push the hook point into and through the bait, stopping when the point emerges from the other side.

    • 5

      Cast the plastic jerk bait around weed beds, boat docks and trees or bushes that hang over the shoreline. If you see fish feeding on the surface – look for fish jumping, or dimples on top of the water – that is a good place to use jerk baits, too.

    • 6

      Allow the jerk bait to sink for several seconds. Jerk the tip of the fishing rod, which will cause the bait to dart in the water. Then reel in the slack line, allow the bait to sink and jerk it again. Repeat this retrieve all the way back to the boat or shore, experimenting with how long you allow the bait to sink and how aggressively you jerk the rod tip.

    • 7

      Sweep the rod tip to set the hook when a fish bites. Bites often feel like extra weight on the end of the line.