Tweaking Your Jerkbait Retrieve to Catch More Bass

The jerkbait is a bass magnet that dances and darts, tempting even the laziest lunkers. But simply casting and cranking isn't enough to unlock its full potential. 

The secret lies in the cadence, the rhythm of your retrieve making all the difference between a skunk or livewell full of feisty bass.

Go Beyond the Twitch-Twitch-Pause!

Many anglers fall into the "twitch-twitch-pause" trap and while it works sometimes, it's not the only retrieve option. 

Here are some ways to "shake" things up when fishing a jerkbait:

1. Mix Up Your Cadence:

Staccato: Short, sharp jabs with minimal pauses mimic fleeing baitfish, ideal for aggressive bass.

Slow and Steady: Longer, drawn-out pulls with extended pauses imitate injured prey, perfect for lethargic fish.

Erratic: Throw in some random pauses and changes in intensity for a confused, irresistible action.

2. Play with the Pauses:

Short Pause: Creates a quick flash of movement, perfect for active fish in clear water.

Long Pause: Lets the bait hang, mimicking a dying minnow, tempting wary bass.

Variable Pauses: Mix short and long pauses to keep the fish guessing and trigger their predatory instincts.

3. Don't Forget to Work the Rod:

Rod Tip: Jerking the rod tip up or down during pauses creates a subtle darting action, adding life and a change of depth to the bait.

Rod Bends: Varying the rod bend during jerks influences the intensity of the bait's movement.

4. Consider the Conditions:

Water Clarity: In clear water, use subtler retrieves and longer pauses. In murky water, crank up the aggression.

Water Temperature: In colder water, slow down your retrieve; in warmer water, speed it up.

Structure/Cover: Pause longer around cover, giving bass time to react.

Bass pro Dustin Connell relies heavily on using a jerkbait to put bass into the boat adding a number of tournament wins to his fishing resume. 

Take a moment and watch as DC provides an on the water clinic on how to use cadence and catch more bass on a jerkbait...

Remember to Experiment! 

The best retrieve cadence is the one that gets the fish biting. Observe what works on a particular day and adapt your retrieve accordingly.