Spring jerkbait fishing for bass reaches its pinnacle as water temperatures hover in the mid-50s. Brandon Coulter takes us through the essentials of targeting prespawn bass using a jerkbait, emphasizing the strategic use of areas where bass commonly stage before heading to the spawning banks.
TACKLE USED (retail links)
- JERKBAIT – Berkley Stunna Jerkbait 112: Buy at Pure Fishing | Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- ROD – Abu Garcia Zenon Casting Rod – 7′ – Medium: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- REEL – Abu Garcia Zenon MG-X Baitcast Reel, 8.3:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LINE – Berkley Trilene® 100% Fluorocarbon, 12-pound: Buy at Pure Fishing | Buy at Bass Pro Shops
OPTIMIZING JERKBAIT FISHING TECHNIQUES
Coulter delves into the art of fishing jerkbaits near channel swings and creeks, where shad and bass converge in the spring. Highlighting the importance of bait selection, he prefers the Berkley Stunner for its ability to reach depths twice as deep as others on similar retrieves (slow sinking). This feature is crucial for effectively targeting fish on forward-facing sonar and fishing staging areas.
HARNESSING FORWARD-FACING SONAR WITH JERKBAITS
The integration of forward-facing sonar technology allows Coulter to fish almost like bank beating but with a technological edge. Identifying and targeting bass staging along banks becomes a more efficient process. Sure, he enjoys blind casting and pulling fish up that aren’t visible on the screen, but he always keeps an eye out for the obvious target. Put a jerkbait in their face, then get bit.
THE ROLE OF STRUCTURE AND COVER
Coulter emphasizes the significance of brush piles and varying light conditions in influencing fish behavior. Woody cover tends to hold more bass under high skies and calm conditions, whereas they tend to roam more in the mornings and windy conditions, which affects how and where to fish jerkbaits for optimal results.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROD SETUP
Coulter’s insights extend to selecting the proper rod setup for jerkbait fishing. He recommends a lightweight setup for comfortable all-day fishing that balances casting distance and the ability to work your rod tip with downstrokes without hitting the water. The choice of rod length, reel type, and line weight can significantly impact the effectiveness of jerkbait fishing, especially in spring conditions.
JERKBAIT FISHING BEYOND SPRING
While spring offers prime conditions for jerkbait fishing, Coulter highlights its year-round potential. The versatility of jerkbaits makes them invaluable regardless of the season or if you have electronics.
FISH FINDER AND BOAT CONTROL
- FISH FINDER – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 126sv Chartplotter/Fish Finder Combo: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/bagQmg
- LIVE SONAR – Garmin LiveScope Plus LVS34 – Livescope + LVS34 System: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/x905Dv
- TROLLING MOTOR – Garmin Force Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/Aoq3X7
