Split Tail Jerk Shad Lures? Use THIS Instead!
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
We didn’t retire split-tail jerk shads by accident; the Polk County Tweaker solved problems most anglers never noticed.
Longer casts, softer entries, and a winter action that still gets hit when fish are cold, shallow, and barely feeding.
We broke down exactly why the old style fell behind, what the Tweaker does better by design, and the rigging tweaks that matter more than color.
Luke also shares some early color patterns he’s been seeing from his Sidekick Rig tests, adding even more context to how this lure performs in real conditions.
If you want the real reason we made the switch, check out the video below.
👉 Every System Bundle now includes the Tweaker, and the Black Friday deals are still live.
Featured Lures:
Featured Rigging:
Note: Luke mentioned the Sidekick Rig in this video which is a unique rigging style that results in 2 lures working side by side during the retrieve to mimic how baitfish naturally move together in the water.
Click here to see how to tie the sidekick rig
Final Thoughts
The Tweaker isn’t just our replacement for split-tail jerk shads; it’s a cleaner, better-performing winter tool built for long casts, soft landings, and slow, deadly action in shallow water. If you want the lure that consistently produces when fish are cold and picky, this is the one to tie on.
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
The tweaker has yet to produce fish for me while the Alabama Leprechaun jerk shad has landed a bunch
Maybe I’ve been missing, but wish you guys would film and document some of your trips. Talk about the conditions, the locations and what lures are being used.
Ye I have ALL the colors in your tweaker lures the only thing is I have found when the water gets cold here in northeast fl jax st aug to be specific soft plastic jerk shad lures don’t seem to get it done for me I mostly use soft plastic shrimp and small paddletails and minnow plugs like the rapala xraps that I mostly troll for trout with and when the water gets as cold as it does in the winter I just downsize on the lures I use kinda like when anglers who use the now famous Ned rig because I have found small lures that match the hatch in the dead of winter usually work better at least for me they do what works for you b and others is your buissness not saying your wrong because your videos and pictures prove your right but its just not what works for ME and I only speak for myself and if I give advice its because of what I have experienced thanks for the info and all you do
How do you tie a side kick rig?
if using a jig head why not use it as is until you need to cut off the 1st 1/4 inch? does it make a difference
Have you done any testing using Battle Rattles with the Tweaker?
Not yet. I most often use tweakers when it’s really calm, and that’s when I don’t like having any noise at all.
But if fishing it in murky or churned water, adding rattles will most likely help.
Thank you Luke!
Well I still have bunch of Alabama leprechauns that I still use. But couldn’t agree more. The tweaker casts so much further. As do the little John’s. Have you done casting comparisons with little John and tweaker? Tweaker is a great lure.
I have not yet done a casting contest between the PC Tweaker and the Lil John yet. Since the Tweaker is a bit longer and has its weight farther back, it should cast farther though when rigged on the same hook/jighead.
The biggest benefit that the PC Tweaker provides over the Lil John is being able cover shallow structure zones will being super weedless (the flat face of the LJ lures don’t work well with weighted hooks… hurts the lure’s action).
Thanks Luke. I think I’m going to do the experiment! I was gifted about 8 packs of lil John!
Definitely awesome video and great information as well as how to tie the double rig and it makes it very interesting and why it most definitely works ……. Thank you both Luke and Joe and might I add job well done ….
It’s funny, cuz it’s a big hat.
since Dr Juice has been unobtainable, what are you guys using?
I’ve switched over to Pro-Cure’s Inshore Saltwater scent: https://fishstrong.com/products/pro-cure-super-gel?variant=46785449394350