Crankbait vs Jerkbait: Ultimate Comparison Guide

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Crankbait vs jerkbait: two popular lure fishing techniques. Both lures are designed to imitate the movement of real baitfish.

These actions can help attract predator fish like bass, pike or musky, making either option a great choice for an exciting day of freshwater fishing!

Let’s dive in and explore the differences between, and discover how each one can bring your fishing game to the next level!

Learning the difference and how to fish each kind of bait is a fundamental of learning how to fish.

Crankbait vs Jerkbait. A photo of a few dozen crankbait and jerkbaits for fishing all laid out.

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Crankbait vs Jerkbait

Are you ready for a fishing showdown of crankbait vs jerkbait? In one corner, we have the flashy and erratic jerkbait, and in the other corner, the smooth and steady crankbait.

Each one has its unique characteristics and reeling in techniques, but which one will be the winner for your next fishing adventure?

Get ready to find out as we explore the world of crankbait vs jerkbait!

Get your fishing gear ready because this is going to be a thrilling battle that you won’t want to miss.

Shop Crankbait Here and Shop Jerkbait Here.

The Basics: Crankbaits vs Jerkbait Differences

Crankbait vs Jerkbait: two popular fishing lures that anglers can use when trying to catch fish.

Jerkbait is an artificial lure, usually soft-bodied, that resembles a dying fish and moves in a jerking motion when retrieved from the water.

Crankbait is a hard-bodied lure which has a specially designed diving lip so it dives and wiggles through the water when pulled along by an angler. Both jerkbait and crankbait can be used to catch different types of fish; for example, bass, pike and walleye.

Jerkbait fishing is a great way to get the attention of fish. By varying the speed and pattern of your retrieve, you can create an effective presentation that imitates a dying baitfish. You can also pause the retrieve and allow the jerkbait to sink down, before jerking the rod tip to give it a lifelike movement. This can trigger strikes from hungry predators looking for an easy meal!

Crankbait are a great choice for anglers looking to cover an expansive area of water quickly. Different varieties such as shallow runners, deep divers, or lipless crankbaits can be used at varying depths in order to locate your catch effectively.

When you’re fishing with crankbaits, you’ll have the best luck when looking for fish that aren’t concentrated in one spot or suspended evenly throughout the water.

Structure & Weight

Crankbaits are shaped like traditional lures, with a wider body and a triangle or wing-like tail. They often come in different sizes and range from light to super heavy weights.

In contrast, jerkbaits are longer and narrower than crankbaits, but slightly heavier.

Jerkbaits typically have more lip than crankbaits which helps them dive to greater depths faster than a crankbait.

Also see: How to Fish a Jerkbait

Action & Movement

Crankbait vs Jerkbait: movement matters. Crankbaits offer a more consistent and quicker retrieve, as they often feature rattles to help entice fish.

However, jerkbaits provide more subtle and varied action with the slight jerking of your rod as they dive deeper beneath the surface.

The longer and narrower body shape also offers increased casting distance when compared to crankbaits.

Depth Range

When selecting crankbait vs jerkbait, an important factor to consider is their respective depth ranges.

Crankbaits are designed to be used in middle depths, between 3 and 10 feet, while jerkbaits tend to have a wider range and can sink deeper.

Jerkbaits can go as deep as 20 feet below the surface while still being able to be reeled in quickly.

Color & Presentation

The colors and finish of a crankbait vs jerkbait can have a big impact on the number of bites you get.

Crankbaits typically come in natural colors that depict various species of fish, including blues, silver, white, yellow, or green.

Click here for our top 10 pick of the best crankbaits.

Jerkbaits may feature bright colors to attract the attention of larger predators like bass or walleye.

Additionally, jerkbaits tend to have more glittery finishes and minnow shapes than crankbaits for increased visibility in the water.

Crankbait vs Jerkbait: When should I use them?

When talking about crankbait vs jerkbait, is there a better time to use either?

Crankbaits can be used year-round, but they are especially effective in the spring and fall when the water temperature is cooler and the fish are more active.

They are also a great option for fishing in clear water, as their realistic appearance and action can entice even wary fish to strike.

Additionally, crankbaits are useful when fishing around structure like rocks or weed beds, as their diving action allows them to reach depths where fish may be hiding.

Jerkbaits can be an effective lure to use when the fish are feeding on smaller prey or in clear water conditions. They can also be a great option for covering large areas of water quickly. If you are fishing in cooler water temperatures or during the spring and fall months, a jerkbait can be a good choice for triggering strikes from predatory fish like musky, pike, and bass.

Additionally, if you are fishing in an area with structure like rocks or weed beds, a jerkbaits diving action can help it reach depths where fish may be hiding.

Overall, using a jerkbait can be a fun and exciting way to target a variety of fish species and increase your chances of a successful catch.

Crankbaits vs Jerkbaits: What are they used for?

Crankbaits are another popular type of fishing lure that are designed to mimic the movement of baitfish, but with a more steady and consistent action than jerkbaits.

They can be used to target a wide variety of fish species, including bass, walleye, and trout, among others.

Crankbaits are particularly effective when fishing in shallow water or around cover like rocks, logs, and weed beds.

Jerkbaits are a versatile fishing lure that are particularly effective in triggering predatory fish like bass, pike, and musky to strike.

They mimic the movement of a wounded baitfish, making them a great option for fishing in clear water or when the fish are feeding on smaller prey.

Jerkbaits are also useful for covering large areas of water quickly, and they can be used in both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

What’s the Difference Between Crankbait and Swimbait?

Crankbaits and swimbaits seem similar but are used quite differently. They are both popular types of fishing lures, but they differ in several key ways.

Crankbaits typically have a more consistent, diving action that mimics the movement of a baitfish, while swimbaits have a more realistic, swimming motion.

Swimbaits are often used for targeting larger fish species like bass and pike, while crankbaits are more versatile and can be used for a wider range of fish species.

Additionally, swimbaits often come in larger sizes and can be fished at deeper depths than crankbaits.

Overall, both crankbaits and swimbaits can be effective options for anglers, depending on the specific fishing situation and the fish species being targeted.

What’s the Difference Between Jerkbait and Swimbait?

Jerkbaits and swimbaits are both popular types of fishing lures, but they also differ in several key ways.

Jerkbaits are typically designed to mimic the movement of a wounded baitfish, with a darting, diving action that can trigger predatory fish to strike.

Swimbaits, on the other hand, have a more natural swimming motion that mimics the movement of live baitfish.

They are often used for targeting larger fish species like bass and pike, while jerkbaits are effective for triggering strikes in clear water or when fish are feeding on smaller prey.

Additionally, jerkbaits often come in smaller sizes and can be fished at shallower depths than swimbaits.

Overall, both jerkbaits and swimbaits can be effective options for anglers, depending on the specific fishing situation and the fish species being targeted. You might also like:

Crankbait vs Jerkbait: Final Thoughts

To sum up, no matter which lure you choose – crankbait vs jerkbait – fishing with either one is both challenging and rewarding. Choosing the wrong bait however did make it onto our top 5 fishing mistakes to avoid list.

Successful angling requires skills, patience, and a bit of luck. So pick up your rod and reel, fill up your tackle box, get your fishing license online find the perfect spot and start catching the fish you’ve always dreamed of!

With so much excitement around reeling in those big catches, why wait? Get out there and start fishing today!

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