The Best Jerkbaits for Bass that Pros Swear By

The jerkbait is another one of the most common fishing lures. Whether it’s the favorite of a seasoned pro or an accidental purchase from a new guy just grabbing whatever looks good, they tend to find their way into every tackle box.

However, not all jerkbaits are equal. Whether it’s the craftsmanship behind them or the action they produce, some simply stand out above the rest and are nearly guaranteed to get a bite.

Whether you're a novice angler or an experienced pro searching for the next great lure, here are some of the best jerkbaits for bass fishing that are universally favored.

Understanding Jerkbaits

Before we get to our top list, we need to go over some of the basics to define what a jerkbait is. In many ways, they don’t look too different than some of the other top lures, and a new angler can easily get them mixed up with other options.

A jerkbait has a lot in common with many other hardbait designs. It’s usually fairly small, long, and slender and usually has a realistic fish design on it. This makes it easy to get mixed up with some more slender crankbait designs and prop baits, but 9/10 times, if it’s skinny, it’s a jerkbait.

You can also find soft-plastic jerks. These are a bit more flexible in their usage and don’t necessarily function the same. So, we’re almost exclusively focusing on traditional hard bait versions.

What Sets a Jerkbait Apart from Other Hard Baits?

A jerkbait might have a lot of similarities when compared to other hard baits, but the difference comes into play when you look at its intended retrieval method and the action it produces.

You don’t reel a jerkbait in. As the name suggests, you jerk it. Once it’s on the water, you let it sit for a minute to calm down, and then you twitch it a couple of times. This is followed up by reeling in the slack while you pause for a few seconds, and then you twitch your rod to jerk it in a little more. The jerkbait will wobble around, dive, and float back up slowly to resemble an extremely wounded bait fish.

This can throw you off if you’re not used to a slower, more methodical, presentation. However, it’s not difficult once you figure it out. We’ll provide some tips to help with that later.

The Best Jerkbaits for Bass Fishing

Now that we’ve given you a brief primer, it’s time to start going over our favorite jerkbaits. Many of these are beloved among anglers and can be found at a variety of big box stores and online shops, but we know you can find them all at Tackle Warehouse at a great price and with amazing service.

1: Megabass Ito Vision 110

This first jerkbait is the cream of the crop, and it is practically guaranteed to put bass on your line. There’s a reason it’s the bestseller on Tackle Warehouse right now.

At first glance, the Megabass Ito Vision 110 just looks like a very well-made jerkbait. It has a similar profile to standard versions and 3 hook attachment points. However, it is revolutionary in ways you can’t see at first glance.

The main feature that sets it apart is the PAT system. This is a tungsten weight inside of the lure that guides its movements when you jerk it. It creates insane amounts of action quickly to make the most of every twitch of your rod, and it makes casting it a breeze even with heavier lines.

The paint job pairs with the PAT system well because it’s designed to flash excessively with each movement.

Finally, you get 3 Katsuage hooks to put on it, and these out-barb hooks are designed to increase your hook ups and last a long time.

However, you will pay for all those fancy features. It’s a $25 jerkbait before you consider shipping. Luckily, these are best used in open water. So, losing it to tree limbs and brush is unlikely.

2: Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jr

This is practically the same lure we just talked about. So, we won’t rehash everything. You get the same features, and there are multiple color options.

The difference is that Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jr is slightly scaled down. This makes it a great choice when you’re fishing busy lakes with pressured bass, and the bass simply don’t want to bite those big lures everyone else is throwing.

As a bonus, it’s $5 cheaper. So, you can save a little cash on an awesome design.

3: Rapala Husky Jerk 08

You can’t have a top lure list without mentioning a few Rapala lures. The brand is iconic, and there’s a good reason for that.

The Husky Jerk 08 is a classic offering from Rapala that doesn’t do anything to change the standard for jerkbaits, but it exemplifies craftsmanship and quality at a great price.

This jerkbait is designed for casting or trolling, comes in a variety of colors, has 2 hooks that meet most regulation standards around the country, and only dives 4 to 6 feet making it great for most bodies of water in the US. On top of all that, it includes internal rattles that attract bass.

All of those features are hand-tested by Rapala, and the lure costs less than $7.

While the Husky Jerk 08 doesn’t break any new ground, it is a tried and true classic that any angler can afford to put in their tackle box.

4: Rapala BX Balsa Extreme Swimmer

The Balsa Extreme Swimmer from Rapala stands out from most other jerkbaits. It is still used just like your classic options, but it’s a two-part segmented jerkbait. This gives it a moving “tail” that wags back and forth to create a more realistic presentation when it’s jerked.

Like the last Rapala lure we mentioned, it is designed with quality in mind and hand-tested in a Rapala tank.

One thing that’s a little different is that it costs around $15. That’s not expensive for a bass lure, but it’s certainly not a lure you’ll be comfortable throwing into tough spots that are likely to cause snags. It’s also quite a bit heavier at ¾ ounces instead of the standard ¼ for most of the Husky line.

5: Strike King Bitsy

Sometimes, you don’t want a full-sized bass lure of any kind. Especially if the water is being pressured heavily by tons of other fishermen. Instead, you want to scale things down and use something much smaller.

This is where the Strike King Bitsy comes in.

The Strike King Bitsy is only 2.5 inches long and has two size #10 treble hooks. This makes it perfect for when you need to scale down your lures and use lighter equipment, but it’s still substantial enough to catch a bass.

With that being said, it’s also a great multi-species lure because of that. Somedays, you want to catch a nice bass, but your options are to keep bass fishing and get skunked or take what you can get and have a good time. 

The Bitsy can easily hook up with bluegill, crappie, and other small fish that are abundant without being too little to catch any bass in the area. It’s also good for smaller creeks and similar areas where large lures don’t work well.

The Bitsy comes in a wide variety of colors, includes two KVD treble hooks, and costs less than $6.

6: Duo Realis Suspending 120SP

The Duo Realis 120SP is a little different than the other options we listed. It’s a suspending jerkbait.

This means that it will hold its depth during the pause. You jerk it, it reaches its optimal depth, and then it hovers for a bit instead of slowly ascending like traditional baits.

The Duo Realis is 4.75 inches long. So, it is a bigger jerkbait, and it weighs 5/8 ounces. This includes a fixed weight inside of the lure, but it’s not quite as complex as the PAT system that Megabass uses in the Ito Vision line.

One feature that sets this lure apart from similar suspending baits is its rattle system.

Inside the lure, there are four rattle balls. Two are made of steel to produce a high-pitched sound, and two are made of tungsten to make a low thud. This dual sound system gives you a higher chance of finding what the fish like, and it’s a bit fancier than your traditional steel ball setup.

However, it is an $18 lure. So, it’s not one we’d recommend to brand-new anglers who are likely to cast it into the bushes.

7: Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series

If you want a flashy lure that is easy to use in any situation, this Yo-Zuri 3DR-X is the right choice for you.

Its primary features are fairly basic. It’s designed to dart around extremely erratically and dive down to 3 feet. It is a good thing that it’s a shallow diver, though. Many of the lakes, ponds, and creeks that anglers fish the most are fairly shallow.

Not only that, but you can use a shallow-diving lure in deep water, but you can’t use a deep-diving lure in shallow water effectively. Experienced anglers will have plenty of options, but this is more functional for beginners with a limited selection.

However, while the action and quality of the lure are amazing, its standout feature is its visual design. It uses a highly reflective paint scheme and a geometric pattern to ensure light bounces off it like crazy. This makes it effective against both lethargic and active bass.

You’ll also be happy to know that it only costs $8 to add this one to your lure collection. So, while it’s well-made and unique, it won’t break the bank.

8: Jackall Rerange 110mm

Now, we’re going to finish this list with another high-end, innovative lure. The Jackall Rerange 110mm is brand new, and it stands out considerably for a couple of reasons.

First, the design of the lure is hyper-realistic in comparison to most hard baits. The majority of hard baits loosely resemble real bait fish, but the Jackall might trick your own eyes when it’s in the water.

That’s not where it stands out the most, though. It also features a sliding tungsten weight that boosts its casting range and twitch action considerably. The weight is coated in resin and slides back and forth inside of the lure as you cast it or twitch it around. 

It’s similar to the PAT system, but it produces slightly different effects.

The Jackall is also $19. So, it’s a slightly cheaper alternative to the Megabass if you want to save a few bucks, and it is extremely similar.

Tips for Using These Top Jerkbaits

We’ve listed our favorite jerkbaits, and most experienced anglers will be excited to get out and use their favorite techniques with them, but here are some tips for anglers who haven’t set up a jerkbait on their rig before. 

Some of these are expensive, and you want to use them properly. Even if you go with cheaper options, you won’t catch bass if your presentation is off.

1: Open Water Usage

First, jerkbaits are usually used in open water. This is a good thing for beginners. You don’t have to worry about trees and brush for the most part, and your biggest concern with snags is keeping your jerkbait from diving deep enough to hit underwater hazards.

2: Follow the Package Instructions

You’re always welcome to get creative with your retrieval method. If the fish aren’t biting, trying something slightly different usually helps.

However, most of these lures have retrieval instructions with them, and it’s always best to follow those. They’re tested by the pros.

3: Buy Smart

Most hard jerkbaits are measured in metric sizes (usually 90 to 130 mm).  Buying 10 lures that are $25 each is out of most anglers’ budgets, and experienced anglers usually collect them over time. If you’re new, start with a regular suspending jerkbait in a 110 size in a natural shad color.   If you fish clear water, go with a natural shad color.  If you fish stained water, go with a bone color.  

Buy some of our less expensive suggestions in multiple patterns first. Then, you know what to look for when buying your first premium lure.  

When you are fishing, try to capture some local bait fish and notice the size and coloration.  If they are small, try smaller 90mm jerkbaits. And if they are large, buy larger 130mm jerkbaits. 

Have Fun with Jerkbaits

The best jerkbaits for bass offer versatility and effectiveness year-round, providing numerous options for anglers in various fishing environments. We recommend every angler put a few in their tackle box and try them out.

If you want more fishing tips and guides, check out the BassForecast fishing app.