Double Your Jerkbait Bites With These Juicy Tips!

Jerkbaits are one of the most complicated baits to use but this quick breakdown will double the number of fish you catch with it!
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I was born and raised in Chicago, but after working 12 years in the financial Industry regulating the futures and options markets at the CME/CBOT I decided to pursue my passion fishing professional tournaments and left my full time corporate job. At that point, I moved to Junction City, WI with my wife Sara and two boys Hank and Duke. I've been fishing professionally since 2011 and full-time since 2015. I've qualified for seven MLF Championships and won over a half million in tournament winnings at the professional level.

[@stevepodrebarac2303]

I constantly tell my friends when fishing with me changes your jerks/cadence and they always laugh. I usually out fish them. Great tips

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff

[@user-cz7ql5jb8j]

Jerkbaits are an all year bait for me. Cadence is absolutely important. Great video

[@MattStefanFishing]

You got that right!

[@ericc8790]

The darting action of the stunna was what most impressed me. I’ve never seen a jerk bait move so impressively. It was jaw dropping when I first saw it’s action in the water.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I love them!

[@davethomas7515]

Great video Matt, I love the spinning rod for a jerk bait can’t imagine using anything else and I’m a big bait casting guy. Please do more videos on jerk bait I know you’ve got a lot more to offer and thank you

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on!

[@caseysaunders2137]

The right rod makes a huge difference too.

[@DanielBoone337]

I tend to only throw the really small jerkbaits and the Smithwick Rouge on spinning gear everything else definitely prefer baitcasters... I would also add cloudy vs sunny conditions as well when figuring out what colors to use. I like throwing more solid colors with clouds or rainy conditions regardless if the water is clear and clear colors when you have blue bird days even if the water has a little stain to it. I'm not the biggest fan of jerkbaits I use to only throw them during the winter and spring but since livescope I have one tied on year around. I was kind of blown away at how often you can throw a deep diving jerkbait over some really deep brush piles and fish will come a long way to eat them and if they don't a little lead wire around the hook to make it sink and it's something those fish don't see as often and you can crush them. Great video and tips as always keepem coming brother!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrishampton8842]

Great video Matt, these kind of videos are what sets your channel apart from the mass

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@RickyCarter-ro8fr]

Amen to your comment Chris!!!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks Matt….The November/December Bassmaster magazine pages 48-51 talk about hover strolling🤠. No mention of the Core Tackle “Hover rig”.

[@MattStefanFishing]

No surprise bassmaster won’t mention MLF anglers

[@bryandavismoviefan]

All great tips. I personally test every jerkbait that goes into my tackle box in a pitcher of water with ice cubes to get it close to springtime fishing temps when I use them. I attach snap I'd use and see how it suspends. Every one of them is different. I add lead tape to get them to suspend and then add clear nail polish on edges to glue it to bait and keep it from flying off. I have had SO much more success with a true suspend jerkbait in water temps below 55 degrees.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff!

[@stephenknight7601]

You sir are a very very very patient man just watched live with TC. He double talks and all over the place like a rat in a room full of cheese. Watched this vid to calm my nerves down 😂😂😂😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@MichaelBrown-um3mv]

Excellent advice as always . Matt . Very much appreciated. So much information for all us anglers to experiment with . Looking forward to trying different techniques. Many thanks again. Keep it up with your great videos. Love them .

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help!

[@nawinchester]

Matt, we are in the minority on spinning rods for jerkbaits together. I have ALWAYS thrown jerkbaits on spinning gear. Longer casts, better drags and I think rods that have better actions to keep from pulling hooks out. I am with you 110% on this one.

[@MattStefanFishing]

couldnt agree more!

[@chundle09]

That Stunna color is awesome too! I luckily have a power plant lake near my house so even dead winter and it’s above 60 degrees.

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s a good one

[@erichildreth7562]

I grew up using spinning combos and they are still one of my favorite setups to use even for other crankbaits too! Great video and thanks for sharing this with us Matt!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@blackhillsbassing6167]

Great tips Matt, thank you.

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@joeyhelton7114]

Always great information.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnrayner5599]

Berkely Stunna, great bait I love it, great break down of this technic and this is one of my favorites to use, Thanks Matt!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@joepworther2284]

Great vid , Matt !!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@dennisederer3594]

Excellent presentation on a lure that eludes me so far. Will continue to learn how to use it. As far as weather, come on out to AZ. At 4 pm, temperature is 88 degrees. Lake temperatures in excess of 70 degrees by mid morning. Shorts and T Shirts after 10 am.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TURBOINTEGRATYPER]

Love your videos.! Thank you

[@MattStefanFishing]

You are so welcome!

[@rodcashman4793]

Matt Great explanation on the jerk bait. I haven't been able to catch bass on them. However the way we explained this I'll have to try it on Friday. Thanks so much for this information 😊

[@MattStefanFishing]

Give it a try!

[@nelsonchiro]

I love my jerkbait spinning rod setup! But, I also love my Expride baitcaster jerkbait setup! I can cast that thing a mile and get great action. I've caught some monsters on that setup! Jerkbait fishing is my favorite, so I like have 2 different setups ready to go. Thanks for the tips!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on!

[@mikeeller557]

Thanks Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@richshackelford5793]

Thanks for the tips

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@stevesmith7164]

Good tips Matt 👍 👍I can use them on the lakes I fish

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on!

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

Happy fishing Tuesday 🎣👍🏼

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! You too!

[@carsonpark14]

I like the way I can work the bait on spinning but casting causes way less fatigue. Threw the new bill lewis jerkbait, caught nothing. Went back through with a megabass and caught 10 in an hour. Megabass and stunnas are the only baits I trust.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@normanwiggins1320]

Went out last Saturday for my last trip of the year. Threw a colored stunna and a strike king because it was cloudy. Caught 10 to 12 smallies on them. Wanted to throw a translucent but was on the understanding that that was a sunny day bait. Wrong again the water was clear. Now after watching this video I have a better understanding on color choice. I did feel that my cadence was good. Caught fish the whole time that I spent fishing. Best smallie was a 3.80

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome!

[@mikek3638]

Great tips, Matt! I Love jerkbait fishing.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@GopherHayes]

Good tips thanks for. Sharing Lake Geneva’s jerkbait bite will be good for month or so.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Definitely!

[@haroldrogers6566]

He gave you some great advice there boys. Especially cadence!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@dasimcoes]

I like using a spinning rig for jerkbaits. Heck I haven’t tried a casting rig, not sure why. Lol. I had good results using Luck craft pointer minnows this fall, but I’m going to pick up a few stunnas for next year.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff

[@adrianthayer4591]

I'm a bank angler. In my coastal Oregon lakes it's gotta be weedless. We will never ice over and the temp may get down to 45. Are there any tricks for flukes or Fat Albert grubs? I've thought about trying a floating Rapala with a long leader on a Carolina rig.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You can do all of those things

[@roddybieber7031]

I agree with you. Prefer spinning gear and braid to leader. Easier casting and doesn’t wear me out as much.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@freddyj5845]

What’s the largest/heaviest jerkbait you’d throw on a medium spinning rod with 6lb line?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I throw the standard size Stunna and vision 110

[@douglasspickler4925]

All great information. Thanks for sharing. My wife says any bait I fish is a jerkbait because there's a jerk holding the rod. 😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@joffrechampagne7908]

Curious on your thoughts about braid split rings. I'm thinking about uprising the hook by 1 and offset the weight by using braid split rings

[@MattStefanFishing]

i like braid split rings. Ive done videos on them before!

[@joffrechampagne7908]

@@MattStefanFishingI'll try to find it, thanks

[@locodragon28]

I as well prefer a spinning combo for jerkbaits ! With a 6'6 medium rod or smaller

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome

[@RickyCarter-ro8fr]

I would like your opinion. I am 65 years old. I am still taking different kids fishing some with no experience some with some experience. And I always tell them fish with what they are. Most confident with and most comfortable with the sign goes for the Bates.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Aweaome

[@ohyousooners]

hey Matt, I too like to throw a jerk bait on a spinning rod. However, I have trouble with braid wind knots since the jerk motion of the rod seems to created slack under tight lines. Any thoughts on correcting this. I've had to cut braid a couple times and it gets expensive.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Bummer

[@Triple87]

I am terrified to use light line when I’m fishing big lakes in the fall. You just never know what’s going to be there. I lost a bunch of jerkbaits to salmon in October, but on the bright side I did catch a bunch of them. Lol. I’m out here looking for smallies and I’m catching 15lbs+ kings on a 7ft medium/fast, with 10lbs fluoro. Meanwhile, the salmon guys weren’t getting anything at all. 🤣

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds like fun!

[@PistolPete3322]

I fish jerks year round river fishing. Cranks and jerks! Stroke em!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff

[@crowe1974]

I do suck using the jerk bait. I watch videos and can't get it. I catch them hear and there. I'm not giving up tho. I'll keep watching and keep practicing. Thanks for any tips u do

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@robertbrost7777]

Matt, would I be better off using a mono leader instead of fluorocarbon due to my lake having only 6' of water and, me fishing from the bank only?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I don’t think so

[@ps7462]

I purchased a 6 inch lucky craft inadvertently. I thought I was buying a shorter lure. On a snowy April morning at sunrise, I cast it out. As soon as it hit the water, I caught a 24 inch smallmouth. My biggest. So quite often I just let it sit when I first cast it!

[@manofthehour9938]

Thats a massive largemouth nevermind a smallie😂 . Ive fished jerkbaits up here in NY, mostly Rapalas, my whole life and usually get my best hits when it first hits the water and i let it sit

[@ps7462]

@@manofthehour9938Raystown Lake!

[@manofthehour9938]

@@ps7462 PA?

[@MattStefanFishing]

That is awesome!

[@fredericksalyer3304]

Try a soft jerbait like a Caffeine Shad or Super Fluke, been working for me all fall for smallmouth. I think because it slow sinks to the bottom.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Will do

[@ph00z00]

I like x-raps, which are pretty close to neutral buoyancy, but they tend to go too deep (not being up on a boat, but casting from close to water level.) I'm either standing from the shore or sitting down in a kayak.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@AnthonySmith-oi3fl]

Come down to cave run lake I’ve been a guide for Muskies for years. U got a place to stay and I got all the equipment as well. No charge at all.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds like fun!

[@andybales7318]

Hey, Matt, any experience using a treble with a willow leaf blade on a jerkbait? Thought about trying it for less clear waters...Anyone else that's tried it, let me know your experience...Also, KastKing Tripolymer line.. any experiences? Seems like quality mono/fluoro mix

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ve had some good luck with the blade in dirtier water

[@caseysaunders2137]

Whew. Wisconsin. I could not imagine having to wait on the lake to thaw every spring. That's brutal. Where I live It's liquid 365. FOR SALE sign at Home Depot $15. ha

[@MattStefanFishing]

I would love to move south

[@andrewszot3094]

Any suggestions for a smaller jerkbait? Something I can throw on smaller river or creeks with a max depth of 6’? I like to fish a smaller river on foot that’s near my house in the off season. I often use a light spin setup.

[@codybertram6122]

The husky jerks are cheap in a lot of places and they come in tons of colors and sizes. Fleet farm runs sale sometimes buy 4 get one free. I like the berkley cutter 90 for action and price but they discontinued them.

[@bass4996]

Lucky Craft dd65 or 65, or 78mm.

[@codybertram6122]

@@bass4996 if you wanna pay 15$ plus a bait. I think it’s a joke that people will pay that much for a piece of plastic with hooks. I hate paying even half of that and many jerkbaits used to be under 10$. I don’t know what happened but after megabass gets away with asking 25$ on average I can’t believe people buy the crap.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i like the trick darter

[@andrewszot3094]

@@MattStefanFishing I’ll check it out. Thanks!

[@artvandelay418]

Matt, you’re talking about the diameter of the line? Or the weight?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Both

[@chrisshaffer9572]

What mhx rod are you using on a jerkbait?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Build video coming out today MHX NEPS-78MLF

[@crowe1974]

I'm also a back angler so going to light in line won't really work for me. 10 lb is about as light as I go

[@MattStefanFishing]

Stick with what works for you

[@sp00kyd0g]

What blank are you using?

[@MattStefanFishing]

MHX NEPS-78MLF

[@sp00kyd0g]

@@MattStefanFishingthanks for the information. I might have to order one to build this winter.

[@robertbrost7777]

I love jerk bait tips Matt so, this video was right up my alley. I bank fish exclusively. I see boaters jerking downward when they jerk the bait. Is my success affected by not being able to jerk downward because I'll be slapping the water? What can I do to make the bait twitch during my retrieve? The best I can do is jerk the bait mostly horizontally. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

More videos coming that should help

[@areddfishing7473]

Top 3 JB and colors ready km

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@thebear74]

what would be the ideal conditions for using jerkbait?

[@johntix9414]

My opinion is wind and clouds. But any water temp.

[@codybertram6122]

Water clarity effects this more than anything. Unless it’s at night for walleyes then they’ll eat in chocolate milk. 3-5’ visibility and the jerkbait is one of the best.

[@richardturner7560]

Cold clear water. If the water visibility is less than 3ft throw something else.

[@Triple87]

@@richardturner7560Not necessarily. If it’s less than 3ft, throw something flashy. If the water is clear, go with something transparent.

[@MattStefanFishing]

depends on time of the year. i think a little wave action is most important

[@locodragon28]

The baitcaster way is a workout

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@everythingoutdoors-vl9bl]

I had a great jerkbait bite on Sunday in New York we had warmer weather fish were still active… caught a bunch of good ones then a monster pickerel decided he wanted my bait RIP VISION 110 😢

[@MattStefanFishing]

bummer

[@banned4life857]

No jerkbait compares to megabass. I throw a jerkbait year round in Florida and catch fish on it. Even in dead middle summer.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I respectfully disagree

[@banned4life857]

@MattStefanFishing I'll make an argument for it lol. The modern jerkbait was created by megabass. There are an unlimited amount of colors. Models and actions no other company has ever made. The vision 110, Jr, ito shiner, x-nanathan, Kanata, fx, max lbo, trick darter just off the top or my head. Standard, +1 and +2. I believe you could take 20 megabass jerkbaits and have a different, more unique arsenal than any other companies entire jerkbait catalog. None of that is to say other companies don't make good jerkbaits. The majority of those companies are simply creating a copy of the vision 110 tho if we're being honest.

[@markbryant2958]

It will not freeze this year

[@MattStefanFishing]

Ok

[@johnmango6056]

Best jerkbait tip I’ve ever gotten is buying a small digital scale so you can replace your jerkbait hooks to perfection without having to test it in the water. Which is an absolute necessity for replacing those GARBAGE megabass treble hooks.

[@davidgerdes1815]

Number 5 Gamakatsu G-Finesse is a great replacement hook

[@johnmango6056]

@@davidgerdes1815 as do gamakatsu bronze round bends #8’s.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good idea!

[@richerwin6397]

Matt, please tell me that isn't your rod and jerkbait in the photo image of this segment. I will say never ever ever hook a lure in the eye of your rod. Hook it around the foot, if needed, so you don't damage the eye insert You disappoint me, lol.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha I did it for the thumbnail photo. the jerkbait looks better when hung from the guide versus the hook hanger on the rod blank

[@kerryschallon8879]

I like your channel. But this video should have been named jerkbaiting for beginners. Didn't really throw any juice on this one.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sorry i didnt help you

[@kerryschallon8879]

@@MattStefanFishing it's all good Matt. Have a great Holiday season.

[@johnathonsnape-mclean3457]

Cast out, reel down, jerk jerk pause, jerk, pause, jerk jerk, pause, jerk jerk jerk, pause, jerk, pause…BAM!

[@MattStefanFishing]

So much fun