Throughout most of the Country, threadfin shad is a predominant food source in the fall and also plays a big part in our local lakes near Tackle Warehouse's California facility. So, naturally, the jerkbait is a deadly choice for anyone looking to blow out a tournament this time of year. And while your standard 4-5" jerkbaits will work just fine, a smaller 3"-ish jerkbait can be the ticket to tricking fish that are focused on bite-sized baitfish.
Tackle Warehouse Staffer, Jake, believes that the additional fishing pressure throughout the summer coupled with the hindrance of throwing a small jerkbait makes it an underutilized gem in the fall. Pair it with your dropshot rod and reel or any medium-light casting rod with a finesse style reel (think Curado MGL 70) and you're in business. Because it is a smaller bait, Jake also suggests opting for brighter color ways, like clowns, chromes, and table rocks to help bolster visibility.
"I think it gets bites because any size bass can eat it no problem...I don't usually snag very many shad that are Vision 110 size. Most are about 3" so I think it's a match the hatch situation." - Jake, TW Staff