When asked to name one or two of their top jerkbait hard-plastic lures (a.k.a. crankbaits), manufacturers proposed those you see in this gallery. They vary considerably in size, but all produce an effective darting action with a jerk-and-pause retrieve. Some are sold with thin freshwater hooks; the lures will produce well in salt water, but of course changing out hooks would be important. Prices listed were derived as noted (TD = tackledirect.com). The lures are listed alphabetically.
ALMOST ALIVE – Minnow Hard Bait
BOMBER – Heavy-Duty Long A
Length: 6 inches • Weight: 7/8 ounce • Colors: 26 • Buoyancy: Floating • Swimming depth: 2 to 3 feet • Bomber Lures
BOMBER – Badonk-A-Donk SS
Length: 3 1/2 inches • Weight: 1/2 ounce • Colors: 18 • Buoyancy: Slow-sinking • Swimming depth: Varies by retrieve • Bomber Lures
DAIWA – Salt Pro Minnow Bullet
Length: 6 inches • Weight: 1 1/2 and 2 1/8 ounces • Buoyancy: Sinking and fast-sinking • Swimming depth: “From zero feet to the bottom” • Daiwa
HALCO – Hamma 85
Length: 3.3 inches (85 millimeters) • Weight: 04 ounce (11 grams) • Colors: 10 • Buoyancy: Suspending • Swimming Depth: 3 and 9 feet, depending on interchangeable lip (bib) size • Halco Tackle
HALCO – Laser Pro 120
Length: 4.6 inches (118 millimeters) • Weight: 0.7 ounce (20 grams) • Colors: 16 • Buoyancy: Floating • Swimming depth: 3 and 7 1/2 feet, depending on lip (bib) size • Halco Tackle
MIRROLURE – Catch 2000
Length: 3 1/2 inches • Weight: 1/2 ounce • Colors: 23 • Buoyancy: Suspending • Swimming depth: To 2 feet • MirrOlure
MIRROLURE – BG Series
Length: 2 5/8 inches • Weight: 3/8 ounce • Colors: 10 • Buoyancy: Suspending • Swimming depth: To 2 feet • MirrOlure
RAPALA – Shadow Rap
Length: 4 3/8 inches • Weight: 7/16 ounce • Colors: 14 • Buoyancy: Slow sinking • Swimming depth: 2 to 4 feet • Rapala
RAPALA – X-Rap Saltwater 12
Length: 4 1/2 inches • Weight: 3/4 ounce • Colors: 8 • Buoyancy: Suspending • Swimming depth: 4 to 8 feet • Rapala
(Note: Pictured is the freshwater model)
SHIMANO – Orca Sinking Pencil
Length: 5 1/2 inches (140 millimeters) • Weight: 2 ounces • Colors: 8 • Buoyancy: Sinking • Swimming depth: Not available • Shimano
STORM – Twitch Stick
Length: 4 inches • Weight: 5/9 ounce • Colors: 17 • Buoyancy: Suspending • Swimming depth: 3 to 5 feet • Storm Lures
YO-ZURI – 3DB Jerkbait
Length: 3 1/2 inches • Weight: 3/8 ounce • Colors: 18 • Buoyancy: Suspending • Swimming depth: To 3 feet • Yo-Zuri
YO-ZURI – Crystal 3D Minnow
Length: 4 3/8 inches • Weight: 9/16 ounce • Colors: 16 • Buoyancy: Sinking* • Swimming depth: To 6 feet • Yo-Zuri
Also available in suspending and floating models
SEBILE – Stick Shadd FW
Length: 6 1/4 inches (155 millimeters) • Weight: 3 7/8 ounce (116 grams) • Colors: ** • Buoyancy: Sinking • Swimming depth: 3 to 20 feet • Cost: **
