2 Best Ways To Rig Jerk Shads For More Strikes
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
Jerk shads are fantastic lures, especially when targeting larger predator fish.
But one of the biggest mistakes people make with these lures is that they rig them the wrong way.
So in this video, you’ll learn the best ways to rig your soft plastic jerk shad lures for all conditions to catch more fish.
Check it out below!
How To Rig Jerk Shads For More Strikes [VIDEO]
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Here is what I’m using in the video:
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Now how you rig these up will be based on how you want to present your bait and the depth of water that you are fishing.
Weedless Set-Up
My favorite way to rig a jerk shad is on a weedless hook.
This rigging method is ideally used when you are fishing in less than 3 to 4 feet of water and on calmer days.
If the fish are feeding more aggressively, use a heavier weighted hook that will fall faster and create more erratic movements for a reaction strike.
My go-to for this situation is a 3/0 size Owner Twistlock Hook in 1/8 oz weight.
But if I was going for a slower retrieve and a slower fall, then I’d recommend a 3/0 size Owner Twistlock Hook in 1/16 oz weight.
This allows the lure to have a slower jerking action through the water.
Here’s how to rig it:
- Insert the spring on the nose of the lure perfectly centered.
- Twist in completely.
- Insert the hook and make sure it is not buried completely in the plastic.
- Get the hook point to lay right on top of the body and then barely skin hook the point into the plastic.
Being sure that your hook is centered will prevent your lure from having poor action in the water and potentially coming off of the spring.
Keep your jerk shad straight and streamlined on the hook because this could definitely hurt your hook-up ratio.
And don’t forget to check your lure every time you reel in!
Rigging On A Jighead
The second best way to rig your soft plastic jerk shad lures is with a jighead.
Typically you would want to use this rigging when fishing in 4 feet or deeper water.
Jigheads allow the bait to dive straight down head first because of the position of the weight.
This also allows the lure to have even more of an erratic action.
Here’s how to rig a jerk shad with a jighead:
- Put the hook point through the head of the bait in the center.
- Push the hook through the middle of the top of the body.
- Ensure the lure is straight on the hook.
My favorite jigheads for jerk shads are the Saltwater Assassin Pro Elite Jigheads.
Conclusion
If you are wanting to catch more trout, flounder, redfish, snook, black drum, and even tarpon, I highly recommend trying out a jerk shad lure.
Once you understand how to retrieve these baits and rig them properly, you’ll be getting more strikes in no time!
Do you have any tips for rigging up jerk shads?
Let me know down in the comments!
And if you know someone who loves using jerk shads or wants to learn how to rig them, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Hey guys New here loving the content! What would be really great is to keep a library of my liked videos so I can come back and reference them later is there anyway to do that?
Hey Matt!
We don’t currently have that option but it is definitely something we could possibly implement! The best thing to do in the meantime would be to bookmark the article on your browser. We’ll see if we can get something in place!
Thanks Tony – I try to keep my tackle down to a minimum. Any reason why you sue the Assassin jig heads over the Trout eyes? Thanks
You’re welcome Richard!
I prefer those jig heads because they help keep the bait upright when it hits the bottom because of the shape of the jig head. Trout eye jig heads are very narrow and don’t “stand” when they rest on the bottom. I still use the trout eyes though, especially if I’m doing a steady retrieve with paddle tail lures.
Hello Tony, I am new to fishing the Cedar Key Area? Have you ever fished this area? I have seen Black drum there but I am nit sure what else is in the area. I am used to surf fishing in Jensen Beach, FL.
Hey Rick!
Cedar key you will primarily find black drum, redfish, and trout. The only species you won’t really come across up there will be snook. They have been caught here and there but it’s a little too far north for a strong population.
Hey Tony I use a jerk shad with a offset owner hook with no weight for bass would the same thing work for trout or red drum
Absolutely! I prefer to have a little weight for extra casting distance but a weightless hook can be ideal in calm clear conditions.
Really the pool shots are probably the best of the best, you see just how that bait is to look. Great stuff Tony as always.
Thank you for the great feedback Vernon!
I run into issues with the bait falling down the hook, even after sticking the point of the hook. When sight fishing it is great, but the reds in this area have not cooperated late in the morning at all. Will attempt later in the day if the wind ever goes down.
Hey Joshua! Check out this article I have on keeping your baits from sliding down the hook:
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/keep-lures-from-sliding-down-hook/
Good stuff Tony! Every time I throw a paddle tail or jerk bait on an open jig head I foul hook a stingray. Every time. I’ve all but stopped using them a while ago and only use OTL’s or similar and my hook up ratio doesn’t suffer. Other than the erratic action that jig heads can give jerk shads do you see any advantage of using them on paddle tails in shallow water?
Thanks Pat!
The only time I would really go with jig heads in shallow water is if it is windy and/or if the current is pretty strong to have more control of the lure (more weight). Other than that I don’t really use jig heads unless it’s on shrimp lures for that more erratic action. I also tend to lose more fish on jig heads than on weedless hooks.
Great video and the pool clips are great.
Thank you for the great feedback John!
When using a jerk shad, in tying a knot,
do you use a loop knot or a clinch knot?
Hey John! I use a loop knot for jerk shads and pretty much all soft plastics.
Excellent presentation as usual. The swimming pool feature really drives home the desired action for the lure. Great use of that feature.
Thank you for the great feedback Art!