Pro Tip: Jerkbait Modifications!

Use these simple tips to modify your jerkbait easily on the water.
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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 roughly a half million in tournament winnings at the professional level.

[@aarongreenlee7867]

Great video Matt. I really like the tip about wrapping the hook with wire. Keep up the good work.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! 👍

[@fishingthesouthwest4179]

Suspend-dots work if you use clear nail polish over them.

[@MattStefanFishing]

great idea

[@williamcowperthwaite5775]

If you put extra split rings on front hook try taking hook off and putting rings down on shank. Also gives a ticking sound. Great tips and info! Can’t wait for your next video keep them coming!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the info

[@tomleman6485]

If you like using adhesive backed lead almost all golfing retailers offer lead tape. It works very well and you can cut it to any size you like. Like Matt said make sure the bait is dry and you press it on the bait firmly. Works great. Good fishing!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great idea

[@jholl7339]

Good idea on the lead wire/solder. In a pinch, you can also tie on a small loop of fluoro to the front hook, and crimp on a split shot.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That’s a good idea

[@tommiks5649]

Hi Matt great tips. I read the comments to see if lead tape for golf clubs was mentioned and it was. I wrote a thread back in the early 2000's about it. I still have baits I used it on and their still on the baits. You get 4 1 foot strips of tape for about $4.00. $2.00 on sale. I score it in 1 inch lengths then I split the strip lengthwise. Lots of strips fold over in thirds and drop it in your box with your baits. Put a strip on and trim it by rolling a sharp knife across it to trim small slivers off to tune the bait. I know I ramble on. 😄 have a good one and keep up all the great video's. 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great info and Ill be buying some!

[@DavidMccallister65]

Fish: "Wait a second.... He's got 2 number 6 hooks and a number 4! Nah... I'm not biting that..." 😅

[@MattStefanFishing]

you never know haha

[@roberts.2413]

Good video Matt and I love the channel, in my opinion you have the best free channel out there. The videos are also concise and to the point which I also appreciate. I also play a lot with the weight on , jerkbaits , hard swimbaits and glide baits. Just a heads up to my fellow fisherman lead golf tape is another invaluable tool in the arsenal, I use this a lot when fishing unweighted beast hooks for soft swimbaits . Also, just to add to the tips suggested in the video I would in some cases change to a heavier wire hook like a 2x as a another method to weight your lures.

[@MattStefanFishing]

All good tips! Thanks for sharing!

[@depalebe]

Zappu makes stick on weights in two colors. They also make a stick on float board. If your bait is sinking you can cut a piece, stick it on and get some bouyancy. One other thing VMC sells the out barb hooks. Size for size they are made of a heavier wire than the Megabass spec hooks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@roberts.2413]

good tip

[@markclaerhout8844]

Great tips Matt. On another tip/ suggestion topic, how often should a hook get discarded from being used? How many fish catches is a hook good for? Or how often do you discard hooks, crankbait treble hooks, texas rigged hooks, drop shot hooks after fishing with them?

[@MattStefanFishing]

If its not sharp i sharpen or replace.

[@juleswinnfield826]

Yep, everything he said. In the winter i like to tank test these options.... mainly to get through winter...serenity now, serenity now!!!! I use one of my wifes big glass kitchen bowls, small fish tank would be better. It helps me create a notebook of how baits respond to different modifications, making on the water changes more efficiently. Love jerkbaits, probably fish them more than i should. Good info as always, thanks for the vid.

[@MattStefanFishing]

great advice!

[@jimlayton8642]

Very cool idea, so simple.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you!

[@kevinhargett7421]

Super glue suspend strips in place. That works for longevity.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good tip!

[@johnrayner5599]

I also use the lead wire and it works great, the suspend dots do come off occasionally especially if you stack them. Thanks for the tips Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yeah stack them leads to them falling off faster

[@johnlantz7278]

The dots leave glue on the bait,an wire can have many uses,other than just weighting lures.Matt I build rods have you a vid on the water guide repair . Thanks 😊 for sharing

[@MattStefanFishing]

No but it’s on my list of videos

[@chundle09]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@mjk86100]

A dab of super glue will hold the suspend dots on permanently. Then you can use a small knife to scrape off small pieces of the dot in order to get it to suspend better. Often times 1 full dot makes it sink. I also think when the jerkbait is sitting tail down in the water it kills its side to side darting action, so I also like it to sit flat or slightly nose down.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@edgarmelton8091]

Jerk bait juice I love this educational video

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! All easy tips but useful!

[@wolverinex4243]

These are cool. There are more mods like trailers....etc. Some mods people don't know about such as using T-shirt paint. That's crazy. I do crazy things to my jerks like making my own lips and other things like to make them super shiny.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Very cool!

[@ata1421]

I just had chance to find this channel, Cool stuff. keep do what you doing please. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Will do! Thanks for watching!

[@carlc8284]

Great mods. Will definitely try here in NH but have to check the lead rules.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@tommybounds3220]

Thank you for the video

[@MattStefanFishing]

You're welcome

[@ronaldclark1023]

Paint over the lead with nail polish, chartreuse, clear

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching!

[@ronaldclark1023]

@@MattStefanFishing you are one of favorite channels, watched almost all of your videos, great content most of the time, you have definitely helped my fishing skills

[@tommywalker741]

Thanks Matt I appreciate your advice learn a lot what ever decision you make in your fishing career good luck and God bless but please keep the videos coming 🙏

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@cheesemaster1993]

Great advice Matt. I have had some real good days lately on Table Rock with the jerkbait. 👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

One of the best jerkbait lakes!

[@stoneysdead689]

If you feel comfortable permanently altering your bait I guess you could always put a dot of super glue under the suspend strip. But, then if you ever want to take it off- you would have to sand it off or scrape it away and it might damage the bait.

[@MattStefanFishing]

not a bad idea if you get it weighted exactly how you want it!

[@jimk4267]

Always have solder in the boat. Back when I lived where they had real weeds (coontail, milfoil) I wrapped the hooks on a squarebill in the very late fall. Shallow flats 2-4 ft. when the weed is turning black on top but you still have clumps of green below. The fish would gather around those green clumps and the fastest way I found was to slowly crawl a squarebill. You would jerk the bait to clear the weeds and it would stay there. Good reaction strikes

[@MattStefanFishing]

Ive seen that same patern work great!

[@roberts.2413]

I will have to try that , I have a lake that has a shitload of coontail where that would work well.

[@shawn_r_schultzfishing4883]

Tons of cool tips! I'm going to rig up some different hooks for adding depth to my favorite shallow runners, and experiment with what depths I get.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@richardporter1455]

Gotta tell ya. I hate fishing hard plastic jerkbaits. I realize that's dumb and need to throw it more. Thanks for the tips.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Stick with what you have confidence in, but in my opinion it’s worth using a hard jerkbait in the coldest water periods. Good luck!

[@coreydempski5119]

Great tips as always! With frost on the ground this morning feels like jerkbait weather. It would be interesting to get your thoughts on water temps/conditions for ideal crankbait and jerkbait applications. 5 things to know about 60/50 degree water temps or falling temps...

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great idea!

[@rodcashman4793]

Great advice thank you.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Thanks for the tips, Matt. Still nothing biting in Alabama

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@CA-sl2xw]

Best channel intro ever! Likable channel, you should have more subs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@stephanelavoie2258]

Great informations Matt . Thought of you on Wednesday, we finally got some rain and colder temperatures and the water level went up by at least two feets without getting to dirty . Took my vision 110 bleue/ clear / chartreuse and , twitch twicth twitch pause and Wah- Bam 💥, 7 beautiful waleyes around 17/19 inch ….. made some nice filets 😋🤤😋🤤😋

[@MattStefanFishing]

When’s dinner!

[@rorimarston3385]

Interesting! I’d like to better understand the techniques and when to use them for jerk baits. Also what does a jerk bait bite feel like and what power and length rods to you recommend. Thx Rori

[@MattStefanFishing]

I do not recommend mono for jerkbaits. I prefer fluorocarbon for jerkbaits since the line is more sensitive and sinks allowing maximum diving depth.

[@live2fishofficial]

Got this info just a little late as I’m already geared up and heading out - next time for sure!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Never to late to make a quick change!

[@live2fishofficial]

@@MattStefanFishing it’s only 38 degrees out here on Lake St Clair and my old fingers don’t work like they used to!😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@live2fishofficial 28 this morning in wisconsin

[@live2fishofficial]

Yikes!

[@davidtoelle3532]

For spending dots go to a golf store they sell lead tape. 3 to 4 feet x 3/8 wide for around $10.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome idea!

[@CA-sl2xw]

Yep! You can also cut fine strips with it and wrap that around your hook shanks if you prefer.

[@crobarrm8695]

I picked up a couple Castaic jerkbaits to try out. Both are essentially garbage right from the packaging...they sink, tail down. They have the weight transfer system, so either the weight is stuck or the balance is complete trash... Not to be outsmarted by a couple cheap lures, I had an idea. I'll be heading to Idaho next spring for some first time pike fishing. I decided to see what would happen when I attached a heavier wire leader to the front of them...they still sink, but on a more even keel now.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thats a bummer

[@blackhillsbassing6167]

Lead golf tape works great, cut your own shape and size, and it's cheap

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great tip!

[@edgarmelton8091]

Matt Frank Scalish was just on Bass talk live he has an episode every Thursday on there live with Uncle Frank I believe any how he goes over suspended strips on crank baits and says the best spot to pu them is right in front of the front hook so it doesn’t mess with the baits wobble, which happens from where the front hook is so he has the suspended strip between the bill and front hook or right on the very front of the belly check that out and see how it performs I’m sorry I’m sure you already know all of this but just in case you haven’t tried to put one there yet give it a whirl and check that video out lots of cool stuff on crank baits even going into sanding a front bill down on one too an exact Match of another one so it runs completely different

[@jigsawalwayswins8636]

If it's a triple treble, I always remove the mid treble. That's just too much "Trouble"

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@wolverinex4243]

The different hook size changes is one of the best secret, but first hook has to be single for no line grab. Eh, who am I?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@wolverinex4243]

Volume kinda bad.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sorry