Shore fishing expert Dan Brozowski uses jerk worms for early-season bass.

Following a long winter, the water is finally warming and action is beginning beneath the surface. In May, underwater activity abounds in many ways, from the new growth of vegetation, to the emergence nymphs and other creatures, to various species beginning their spawning rituals. There is also an abundance and a variety of various forage choices that bass are more than willing to indulge in.

The concept of using a jerkbait is not a breakthrough technique; jerkbaits have been around for years, whether in the form of a hard bait or a minnow-shaped soft plastic body. Bass can certainly find a bait in all water conditions, but with some decent clarity, the visible attraction of a jerkbait can draw bass from further distances.

So how did jerk worm come to be? One time, I was trying to coax late-spring out of some weeds. They would bolt out, chasing several hard bait presentations, but would never commit to striking the bait. When I switched to soft plastic jerkbaits, they would study the bait, but then just back off.

At this point, a Senko-type bait normally makes an appearance. But, I had been trying to experiment a little more with baits other than the Senko-style, so I grabbed my box of worms, Texas-rigged a 7-inch straight-tail worm with no weight and proceeded to cast to the same area. I let the worm sink a few feet, gave the worm a few fast twitches and saw the weeds move. Without hesitation a bass inhaled the worm. I did this a half-dozen more times, and each cast met with success! I thought I had touched on a new presentation, at least for me. I continued to work the entire lake with awesome results, which piqued my interest in a new presentation to work on and modify if necessary.

The worm I chose to throw had a more erratic action than that of a Senko. I still feel the Senko is most deadly when just allowed to do its own thing by leaving it alone, while the jerkworm presentation is much more animated, drawing a different response from bass.

Rigging the jerkworm is simple; I just use a Texas rig setup, primarily because I like to fish the presentation around weeds and over cover. I don’t wacky rig the worm, either; I want the head of the worm moving in a forward direction.

As far as worms, I have been experimenting with a variety of worm designs. I don’t use the very thin-tailed straight worms like you would in a Shakey head rig. I use straight worms with somewhat of a rounded or flattened tail design. I don’t use curly or ribbon tail worms either. I want more of a subtle action, rather than a swimming, thumping or heavy vibrating tail.

Now, the worms are not ultralight in any way; they’re thicker-bodied worms up to 8 inches in length, so you’ll need a heavier worm hook. I use a basic wide-gap worm hook in heavier gauges and larger sizes due to surrounding cover; it gives you the ability to winch a bass out of cover without the fear of straightening a light-wire hook. It also provides a little more weight to enhance casting, since no added sinker is used in this presentation.

Once rigged, the presentation is rather simple: Cast to your designated target, let the bait settle a foot or so under the surface, then begin with some short, quick snapping actions with the rod tip. Then allow the bait to settle a foot or so, slowly working your way down from the surface until active fish are found. It’s basically worked like a standard hard or soft jerkbait, using quick snaps followed by a pause. The only difference is that this bait will not suspend as you hesitate the retrieve, so if you pause too long, it will continue to sink. The speed of the descent will be determined by the plastic worm’s density. I prefer using worms that sink at slower rates.

This presentation most successful wherever you would use a jerkbait presentation, but with a bit of a twist or exception. Treble-hook jerkbaits are primarily used for open-water tactics. But you can throw a jerkworm around more heavily weeded and obstruction-filled areas, which gives you an incredible edge over hard bait presentations. Compared to soft jerkbaits, the worm has quite a bit more going on in the tail section and can be an advantage, depending on the bass’ mood.

Now, I’m not trying to detract from the jerkworm’s worth in open-water circumstances; it attracts bass just as a hard bait will, though I have noticed less hesitation to hit the worm by bass in open water over hard bait offerings.

I primarily throw this presentation on spinning gear, but a baitcasting rig will handle it with no problem. I prefer braided line for the sensitivity. Add a fluorocarbon leader if you think it’s necessary in your waters. I generally fish without them; it’s personal preference, though.

Jerkwormin’ is just a twist on an already existing technique. But, sometimes, small tweaks or subtle changes can pay huge dividends on the water.

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