Jerk baits are built to imitate injured baitfish. By jerking the rod tip sharply during retrieve, the lure darts and pauses, mimicking a dying shad or minnow. This triggers aggressive reaction strikes from bass, walleye, and pike.
They’re most effective in clear or cool water when fish are feeding on baitfish near mid-depths. Fish them with a twitch-pause-twitch cadence, adjusting the speed based on water temperature and clarity.