Spring jerkbait fishing for bass reaches its peak as water temperatures hover in the mid-50s. Brandon Coulter takes us through the essentials of targeting prespawn bass with a jerkbait, emphasizing the strategic use of areas where bass typically stand before coming to the spawning banks.
USED TACKLE (retail links)
OPTIMIZING JERKBAIT FISHING TECHNIQUES
Coulter investigates the art of fishing jerkbaits near channel swings and creeks, where shad and bass converge in the spring. Emphasizing 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 essential for effective targeting of fish in forward sonar and fishing staging areas.
HARNESSING FORWARD-FACING SONAR WITH JERKBAITS
The integration of forward-facing sonar technology allows the Coulter to fish almost like hitting the bank but with a technological edge. Identifying and targeting bass staging on banks becomes a more efficient process. Sure, he enjoys blind casting and pulling fish up unseen on the screen, but he always keeps an eye on the obvious target. Put a jerkbait in their face, then bite.
THE ROLE OF STRUCTURE AND FEAR
Coulter emphasizes the importance of brush piles and varying light conditions in influencing fish behavior. Woody cover tends to hold more bass under high skies and calm conditions, while they tend to wander more in the morning and windy conditions, which affects how and where to fish jerkbaits for for optimal results.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROD SETUP
Coulter’s insights extend to choosing 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 use your rod tip on downstrokes without hitting the water. Choice of rod length, reel type, and line weight can significantly affect the effectiveness of jerkbait fishing, especially in spring conditions.
JERKBAIT FISHING OVER THE 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
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