Soft Jerkbait Tricks You Need To Try! (Beginner To Advanced)

Soft Jerkbaits are one of the best bass fishing lures of all time! You can fish a fluke quickly as a topwater, twitch it as a jerkbait, slow fish it like a weightless worm, and even Carolina rig it. The soft jerkbait's ability to adapt puts it in a category all its own. With our rigging tricks, you can take it even further!

Many anglers own soft jerkbaits, but few realize their true potential. With a simple hook adjustment this bait can become a topwater or a subsurface bait. It can be Texas rigged in heavy cover, nose hooked in clear water, or donkey rigged and fished around schooling fish. You might use the Fluke from time to time, but you probably don't know these tricks.

Below you'll find links to the all the baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, colors, and rigging components for each. We've also included some of our favorite soft jerkbait combos for the different rigging methods. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


TACTICALBASSIN MERCH...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz


RELATED VIDEOS...

Double Fluke Rig: https://youtu.be/_fnSwwJoDsM


FULL SIZE SOFT JERKBAITS...

•Zoom Salty Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad


•X–Zone 5" Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/3IpMKQo

Colors: Electric Shad, Baby Bass, Pro Blue Red Pearl


•Megabass Sling Shad: https://bit.ly/41tgaaT

Colors: Hasu, Wakasagi, G Biwahaigai


•Yamamoto D Shad: https://bit.ly/3lG1b7T

Colors: Green Gizzard, Pro Blue, Tilapia


FINESSE SOFT JERKBAITS...

•Xzone 3.5" Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/4buE4qx

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Smelt


•Zman 3.5" Jerk Shadz: https://bit.ly/3yRocN0

Colors: The Deal, Bad Shad, Electric Shad


LARGE SOFT JERKBAIT...

•X–Zone 6" Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/3IpMKQo

Colors: Electric Shad, Baby Bass, Pro Blue Red Pearl


•Zoom Magnum Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad


•Damiki 7" Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Colors: American Shad, RP Blue Pearl


STANDARD WEEDLESS HOOKS...

Standard Hook – Gamakatsu Superline: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 3/0 – 4/0


Unique Gap – Owner Multi Offset: https://bit.ly/4mwCrgE

Size: 2/0 – 4/0


FINESSE HOOK...

•BKK Armor Point Offset Worm: https://bit.ly/48hOoBq

Size: 1 – 1/0


NOSE HOOKS COMPONENTS...

Hook– Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap: https://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Size: 1/0


Weedless– Gamakatsu Weedless Finesse Wide Gap: https://bit.ly/2i57dOP

Size: 1/0


Spring– Owner CPS Spring: https://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

Size: Medium


Keeper– Gamakatsu Silicone Stopper: https://bit.ly/3Nrrtqs

Size: XXL


DONKEY RIG COMPONENTS...

Hook– Gamakatsu Superline: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 3/0 – 4/0


Swivel– SPRO Power Swivel: https://bit.ly/2ay0p7d

Size: 10


Bobber Stop– VMC Sinker Stop: https://bit.ly/38XLQd4


MATT'S ALL AROUND COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend X2 7'1" Med Hvy XFast: https://bit.ly/3IOSXcJ

Reel– Seviin GX Reel: https://bit.ly/4octPMZ

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


MATT'S FINESSE FLUKE COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon MG LTX: https://bit.ly/40ltb6s

Line– Seaguar InvizX (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


NOSE HOOK SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer 7'6" Light+: https://bit.ly/3RmuKdN

Model: Flyssa

Reel– Daiwa Luvias ST 2500: https://bit.ly/459jXLv

Line– Sunline Super FC (7 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


BUDGET BFS SOFT JERKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Element Z2 Casting: https://bit.ly/43hnh7S

Model: 6'10" Medium Light

Reel– Abu Garcia Revo X BFS: https://bit.ly/4flqwi3

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (7 lb): https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Where Do Bass Go In Summer ?! (And How We Catch Them)

Summer bass fishing is amazing! As temperatures rise, bass become very predictable. They're driven by 3 main variables, and once you understand these simple concepts, you can always find fish. Once you know where they are, catching them is easy! Even when Summer temperatures are at their peak, you can catch fish consistently.

For those that don't know where to start the search, Summer bass fishing seems tough. Here's what you need to know... Since the spawn, the bass have separated into two distinct groups. The first group goes shallow into cover and the second heads out to main lake structures. The shallow fish are fun because you can target them with a variety of power fishing techniques. The fish on outside structures group up around current when available and hard bottom when the water is calm. These fish can be caught on a variety of lures and tend to feed in aggressive "bite windows".

Below you'll find links to the key baits we discussed in the video. We've also included details on size and color for each lure, as well as some great budget-friendly rod and reel combos for fishing these baits affectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.


TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz


TOPWATER...

Walking– Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Colors: Spotlight Shad, Juvy Gill


•Whopper Plopper 110: https://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Phantom Shad, Loon


•Swamp Lord Frog: https://bit.ly/3MAFQum

Colors: Maverick, MF Bluegill, Burnt Bone


•Shimano World Pop: https://bit.ly/3sSjJpI

Colors: N Smelt, T Smelt


DROPSHOT WORM...

•Berkley Lab Series Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/4f3qxtm

Colors: Obsidian Black, Tactical


FLIPPING...

Bait– MissileBaits DBomb: https://bit.ly/2d2dVlt

Colors: Bruiser Phantom, Bruiser Flash, Super Bug


Hook– Owner Haymaker (4/0): https://bit.ly/3Muie8j


Weight– VMC Tungsten (1.5 oz): https://bit.ly/3G0WGCg


WOBBLE HEAD...

•Xzone Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors: Junebug, TW Dark Junebug, Tilapia


•Dirty Jigs Pivot Point Football: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Sizes: 1/2 oz 4/0, 3/4 oz 5/0


OFFSHORE BAITS...

•Rapala DT 20 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/3JmnnR3

Colors: Green Gizzard Shad


•Nichols Flutter Spoon: https://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Colors: Shattered Glass Holo Silver, Purple Threadfin


BIG WORMS AND SHAKY HEAD...

•Xzone MB Fat Finesse: https://bit.ly/4lSgfx4

Colors: Junebug, Green Pumpkin Junebug


•Xzone 11" Blitz Worm: https://bit.ly/422SaJA

Colors: Junebug, Plum, Green Pumpkin


•Dirty Jigs Canterbury Shaky Head: https://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Size: 1/8 oz


SWIM JIG...

•Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

Size: 3/4 oz

Favorite Colors: Tactical Shad, Alabama Bream, Crappie


•Nomad 5" Dozer: https://bit.ly/4cciSpA

Color: Astro, Sandy Pearl


CHATTERBAIT...

•Zman 1/2 oz Evo Elite Chatterbait: https://bit.ly/3OAGB8y

Color: Alabama Bream


•Hog Farmer 4.5" Spunk Shad: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: TW Sunfish Magic


SOFT JERKBAIT...

•XZone 5" Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/3IpMKQo

Colors: Electric Shad, Baby Bass, Pro Blue Red Pearl


•BKK Offset Worm HD: https://bit.ly/4lcHa6U

Size: 3/0


BUDGET WOBBLE HEAD/JIG COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel– Seviin GF (7.3:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line– Sunline Super FC 17 lb: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Eagle 7'1" Medium XFast: https://bit.ly/4b25LGh

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 Pro: https://bit.ly/3QKCQOG

Line– Sufix 832 (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


BUDGET SHAKY SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Fast (703): https://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Reel– Daiwa Fuego LT 2000: https://bit.ly/488CsQb

Line– Sunline Super FC (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


BUDGET FROG/SWIM JIG FISHING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line– Power Pro Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

4 Tricks That Get Bass To Bite In Early Summer! ( Ft. Adam Hinkle – Tactical Family )

We're jumping in the boat with Adam Hinkle (member of the Tactical Family) for an awesome day on the water! He's targeting bass on one of California's toughest lakes, and he's using some really surprising techniques. This is a great reminder that bass can be caught on a variety of baits, even in the toughest conditions.

We expected Adam to turn to finesse presentations to get bit after listening to his description of the lake. He did do some drop shotting, but most of his fish came while power fishing the shallows. He caught his biggest fish on a large topwater swimbait before ultimately dialing in a shallow crankbait bite. This was a great reminder that while fishing may be tough, there are plenty of techniques that continue to catch fish.

Below you'll find links to the baits and gear he used throughout the day. We've also included some great budget–friendly combos that work effectively for each of these techniques. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


THE KARASHI...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: Juvy Gill


DROPSHOT...

Worm– Roboworm 6" Straight Tail: https://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Colors: Purple Weenie

Other Great Colors: Aarons Magic, Watermelon Magic, Baby Bluegill


Hook– Roboworm Rebarb: https://bit.ly/4uFwcdk

Size: 1/0 Hook


Weight– Xzone Tungsten: https://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Size: 3/16 oz


CRANKBAIT...

•Berkley Frittside 5: https://bit.ly/4hcwfXJ

Color: HD Bluegill


BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Black Bass 7'4" Medium Hvy Mod: https://bit.ly/41ntbDB

Reel– Seviin GF Series (7:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA


BUDGET DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Element Z2 7'1" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/47GAOVA

Reel– Daiwa Fuego LT 2500D – XH: https://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ

Line– Sunline Super FC 8 lb: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


ALL AROUND CASTING COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 733C 7'3" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 Pro: https://bit.ly/4pGZ4Az

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


ALL AROUND KARASHI COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Icon 7' Light: https://bit.ly/3mLIIes

Reel– Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (7 lb): https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

3 " MUST HAVE " Baits For Early Summer Bass Fishing!

Jump in the boat with Matt and his dad for a fun day on the water! They're keeping it simple, focusing on key patterns and enjoying the day together. It doesn't take long before the fish start getting bigger, the patterns branch out, and the real fun begins!

The duo quickly built a pattern throwing the new "Tactical Shad" and "Tactical Twilight" senkos that Matt and Tim designed in collaboration with Yamamoto. Once the pattern is established, Matt begins mixing it up in search of more and bigger bass. While the best fish of the day all came on senkos, there were two other key patterns that have been proven producers this time of year.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt and his dad used throughout the day. They've included bait colors, terminal components, as well as the rod and reel combos that helped them land their fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can find detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


TACTICALBASSIN MERCH...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz


SENKO LAUNCH VIDEO...

Tactical Senko Announcement Video: https://youtu.be/xkcAMPmtbWk


THE SENKOS...

•Yamamoto 5" Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Tactical Shad, Tactical Twilight


Wacky Hook– Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap: https://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Size: 1/0


Texas Hook– Gamakatsu Superline EWG: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 2/0


SOFT JERKBAITS...

•Megabass Sling Shad: https://bit.ly/41tgaaT

Color: Tinsel Brown


•Xzone 5" Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/3IpMKQo

Color: Gizzard Shad


•Gamakatsu Superline EWG: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 3/0


THE KARASHI...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: See Through Shad, Juvy Gill


MATT'S SENKO COMBO...

Rod– Daiwa Steez AGS 6'9" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3RhFit1

Reel– Daiwa Steez SV TW: https://bit.ly/3wXZ9Jb

Line– Seaguar InvizX (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


DALE'S SENKO COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Poison Ultima 7'4" Med Light: https://bit.ly/3uDBhcY

Reel– Shimano Stella 2500 HG: https://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

Line– Sunline SX1 Braid (16 lb): https://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader– Sunline Super FC (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


SOFT JERKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 6'8" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon MG LTX: https://bit.ly/40ltb6s

Line– Seaguar InvizX (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


KARASHI COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Destroyer Evoluzion: https://bit.ly/4oXDY0A

Model: Expada

Reel– Daiwa PX BF 70: https://bit.ly/3y0fWw0

Line– Sunline Super FC (7 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz