6 Jerk baits that Bass Fish Can’t Resist 

Jerkbaits are a popular and effective lure for bass fishing. Finding the right one can significantly improve your chances of success. We’ve researched some of the top jerkbaits available to help anglers make informed choices.

Water temperature plays a key role in how jerkbaits perform. Cold water calls for balanced lures that suspend. This allows for effective slow retrieves. Warmer water allows for faster retrieves, making precise balance less crucial.

Several factors influence a jerkbait’s effectiveness. These include size, color, and action. Lure size often matches the local baitfish. Color choice can depend on water clarity and light. A lure’s action, or how it moves, attracts fish.

Some jerkbaits have unique features. Internal weighting improves balance. Special finishes increase flash. These features enhance a lure’s ability to draw Bass. Here are our top picks for 2025.

Rapala X-Rap

The Rapala X-Rap is a popular jerkbait among anglers. It’s designed with a hard-cutting, darting action. This action is meant to mimic a fleeing baitfish. The Rapala X-Rap also features an integrated long-casting system. This system helps anglers cast the lure further. An internal rattle adds noise to further attract fish.

The Rapala X-Rap’s design includes a suspending action. This means the lure pauses in the water column during retrieves. This pause can trigger strikes from following fish. This JerkBait is versatile, suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. It targets various game fish, including bass.

The Rapala X-Rap is approximately 4 inches long (10 cm) and has a suggested diving depth of 4 to 6 feet. Some users have reported the finish can chip with heavy use, especially after impacts with rocks or other hard objects. This JerkBait’s durability has varied among users, with some reporting longer lifespans than others.

The Rapala X-Rap is a floating jerkbait which means it will float back up after being jerked and paused. This JerkBait is designed to be fished with a jerk-pause retrieve. This retrieve is intended to imitate an injured or fleeing baitfish.

The Rapala X-Rap is often recommended for both beginner and experienced anglers. Its ease of use and effectiveness make it a popular choice. It is available at many retail stores and online.

Googan Squad Scout

The Googan Squad Scout is a jerkbait designed to attract fish with its action and appearance. It aims to imitate baitfish, a common food source for predatory fish like bass. The Googan Squad Scout comes in various colors, including a popular “Silver Flash” designed to mimic shad.

The Googan Squad Scout is intended for a jerk-pause retrieve. This technique involves sharply jerking the rod tip and then pausing, creating an erratic movement that can trigger strikes. It has been used in various conditions, including colder water temperatures.

The Googan Squad Scout has caught a variety of fish, including walleye and bass. Some anglers have found it effective even in conditions where the bite is typically slow. Its effectiveness has been noted in ponds and other bodies of water.

The Googan Squad Scout is a popular choice for those targeting walleye and bass. Some users have reported success using the Googan Squad Scout in various water conditions. The durability of the Googan Squad Scout has been noted, with some lures showing signs of wear after multiple uses.

Strike King KVD Jerkbait

The Strike King KVD Elite 300 Jerkbait is designed to entice bass with its erratic action. This action imitates a fleeing or injured baitfish, a key trigger for bass strikes. A weight transfer system in the Strike King KVD Elite 300 Jerkbait aids in achieving long, accurate casts, which is beneficial for covering more water when targeting bass.

This JerkBait exhibits a roll, wiggle, and flash intended to further attract bass. The Strike King KVD Elite 300 Jerkbait is designed for year-round bass fishing. Anglers can impart different actions to the lure. Small twitches create a subtle side-to-side movement. Larger jerks produce a more pronounced, erratic action. A straight retrieve is also an option.

The Strike King KVD Elite 300 Jerkbait measures 4 and ¾ inches in length and weighs one-half ounce. This size profile is suitable for targeting various sizes of bass. It is designed to dive to depths of 4 to 7 feet, making it effective in a range of bass fishing scenarios. This JerkBait is available in multiple colors, allowing anglers to match local forage or water conditions. The Strike King KVD Elite 300 Jerkbait also features 3D eyes and sharp hooks, both of which are important details for bass fishing.

The Strike King KVD Elite 300 Jerkbait’s versatility makes it a potential option for both novice and experienced bass anglers. Its range of retrieve options allows anglers to experiment and find what works best in different situations. This JerkBait’s design aims to provide multiple ways to trigger bass strikes. However, some users have noted that the paint finish can be susceptible to chipping with use, particularly after contact with rocks or other hard structure. Additionally, while the hooks are generally sharp, some anglers have opted to replace them with higher-quality trebles for increased hook-up ratios, especially when targeting larger bass.

Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait

The Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait is designed specifically to target bass using a combination of action and visual attraction. The “3DB” refers to Yo-Zuri’s internal 3D prism finish. This internal finish is designed to create a lifelike appearance and attract bass by reflecting light within the lure’s body. This internal reflection aims to mimic the scales of a real baitfish, a key food source for bass.

The Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait is designed for the classic jerk-pause retrieve, a proven technique for bass fishing. This retrieve involves sharp jerks of the rod tip followed by pauses. During the pause, the Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait suspends in the water column. This suspension is often critical for triggering strikes from bass, especially in colder water or during periods of inactivity. The erratic action combined with the suspending pause makes the lure appear like an injured or disoriented baitfish, an easy target for bass.

The Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait comes in a variety of sizes and colors. This variety enables bass anglers to match the lure to prevalent forage in their local waters or adjust to varying water clarity and light conditions. Matching the hatch is a key strategy in bass fishing. The Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait is equipped with sharp treble hooks designed to effectively hook and hold bass.

The Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait is often used by bass anglers of all skill levels. Its relatively simple retrieve makes it accessible to beginners, while its effective action and visual appeal make it a reliable choice for experienced anglers. Some bass anglers have noted that the lure’s finish, while visually appealing to both anglers and bass, can be susceptible to scratches or chips after repeated use or contact with rocks, docks, or other hard cover commonly found in bass habitats. This wear and tear is a common occurrence with many hard-bodied lures used for bass fishing.

Rebel Wee Crawfish

The Rebel Wee Crawfish is a small, crawfish-imitation lure designed to target bass. Its primary purpose is to mimic the natural appearance and movement of a crawfish, a common prey item for bass. The Rebel Wee Crawfish is a shallow-diving crankbait. This means it is designed to run near the surface or in shallow water.

The Rebel Wee Crawfish features a realistic crawfish body shape and coloration. This aims to entice bass by providing a natural-looking presentation. This Bait’s action is a tight wiggle or wobble. This action imitates the movement of a crawfish scurrying along the bottom.

The Rebel Wee Crawfish is often used in areas with rocky bottoms, weeds, or other cover where crawfish are typically found. These are also common bass habitats. It is effective when cast near these structures and retrieved slowly. This slow retrieve allows bass to get a good look at the lure.

The Rebel Wee Crawfish is often recommended for anglers targeting bass in shallow water. Its small size can be particularly effective when bass are feeding on smaller prey. Some anglers have noted that the small size of the Rebel Wee Crawfish can limit casting distance, especially in windy conditions. Also, the small hooks are effective for smaller bass, but may not be ideal for larger fish.

Smithwick Devil Horse

The Smithwick Devil Horse is a topwater lure designed to attract bass with its unique action. It’s a prop bait, meaning it features propellers at the front and/or rear. These propellers create surface disturbance when retrieved. This disturbance is meant to draw the attention of bass.

The Smithwick Devil Horse is typically around 4 and a half inches long and weighs about 3/8 of an ounce. It often comes equipped with three treble hooks. The body of the Smithwick Devil Horse is traditionally made of wood. This wooden construction contributes to its buoyancy and unique action on the water’s surface.

The Smithwick Devil Horse’s propellers create a popping and splashing noise as it moves across the water. This noise can be effective for attracting bass from a distance. This Bait doesn’t have a traditional “walk-the-dog” action like some other topwater lures. Instead, it creates more of a splashing and churning effect. This makes it suitable for situations where bass are actively feeding on the surface or in choppy water.

Some anglers modify the Smithwick Devil Horse by adding split rings to the hooks. This allows for more hook movement and can potentially improve hook-up ratios when bass strike. Some also change the hooks themselves or add features like feathered trailers. These modifications aim to further enhance the lure’s action and visibility.

The Smithwick Devil Horse, with its distinct surface commotion, is often used by bass anglers targeting active fish in clear or slightly stained water. Its noisy action can be particularly effective in low-light conditions or when bass are feeding aggressively on the surface.