How To Crush Spring Smallmouth With Jerkbaits

Jeremy Smith and Jake Wallace head out to catch smallmouth bass using one of the most popular and best presentations for early-season smallmouth. 

The Smallmouth Experience — Few freshwater fish match the raw power and aggression of smallmouth bass. Pound for pound, they’re among the toughest fighters in North America, and for many anglers—including the crew at Angling Edge—they’re also the most fun to catch. During the spring season, smallmouth present a dynamic challenge as their feeding behavior shifts from finicky to ferocious, making them the perfect target for a day on the water.

Whether they’re gently nipping at tiny herring jigs or hammering topwater baits, smallmouth bass can be caught with a variety of presentations. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and finesse swimbaits all have their moment, but one category stands out year after year: the jerkbait. And among jerkbaits, the Rapala X-Rap reigns supreme.
Why the X-Rap?

There’s something special about the erratic action of a jerkbait that just seems to drive smallmouth wild. This season, Jeremy Smith and Jake Wallace took to new waters to showcase just how versatile—and effective—the X-Rap can be when targeting bronzebacks.

From the start, the day’s fishing was a mix of trolling and casting, catching fish on the edge between aggressive feeding and passive interest. Jeremy quickly pointed out that when it comes to smallmouth and jerkbaits, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. He regularly uses several X-Rap sizes—from size 6 and 8 up to the classic size 10—and includes deep models in his arsenal as well.

Check out our favorite gear used in this episode:

Lures
➡️ Rapala X-Rap: https://omnia.direct/ZjZN8j
➡️ Rapala X-Rap: https://omnia.direct/ZjZN8j

Rod
➡️ St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Spinning Rod: https://omnia.direct/DNWeaG

Reel
➡️ Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT Spinning Reel: https://omnia.direct/yP6wno

Line
➡️ Sufix 832 Braid: https://omnia.direct/q1mk8K
➡️ Sufix Invisiline Fluorocarbon Leader: https://omnia.direct/XPgJX5

Fishing Tools
➡️ Bubba Fishing Shears (Medium 7.5”) https://omnia.direct/2n797v
➡️ Bubba Fishing Shears (Large 8.5”) https://omnia.direct/A7xJ9W
➡️ Bubba 6" Hook Extractor https://omnia.direct/lXZR6X
➡️ Bubba 12” Hook Extractor https://omnia.direct/o8ZKaM
➡️ Bubba Fishing Pliers (6.5”) https://omnia.direct/LQ6XA9
➡️ Bubba Fishing Pliers (7.5”) https://omnia.direct/EV5L09
➡️ Bubba Fishing Pliers (8.5”) https://omnia.direct/XP3j8m
➡️ Bubba Pistol Grip Pliers (6.5”) https://omnia.direct/w6j19o

Fillet Knives
➡️ Bubba Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife https://omnia.direct/r7bydW
➡️ Bubba Fillet Knife 6” Ultra Flex https://omnia.direct/lnL1G0
➡️ Bubba Fillet Knife 8" Ultra Flex https://omnia.direct/ro3nkQ

Electronics
➡️ Humminbird Helix 10 CHIRP G4N MEGA+Imaging https://omnia.direct/VlDep8
➡️ Humminbird Helix 12 CHIRP G4N MEGA+ Imaging https://omnia.direct/dEj2VE
➡️ Humminbird Solix 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3 https://omnia.direct/ePMKgm
➡️ Humminbird Solix 15 CHIRP G3 https://omnia.direct/BepBWo
➡️ Lakemaster Premium GPS Mapping Chips https://omnia.direct/JY9RLg
➡️ Lakemaster GPS Mapping Micro SD Cards https://omnia.direct/x3mJLB
➡️ LakeMaster VX Digital GPS Maps (Minnesota) https://omnia.direct/v3avBe

Trolling Motors and Accessories
➡️ Minn Kota Ultrex i-Pilot Link MEGA-DI/SI Trolling Motor https://omnia.direct/3Zqx2G
➡️ Minn Kota i-Pilot Bluetooth Remote https://omnia.direct/lpVQ87
➡️ Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging https://omnia.direct/qAxVJP
➡️ Humminbird MEGA Live TargetLock (Ultrex) https://omnia.direct/xQveJP
➡️ Humminbird Open Water Adapter Kit - MEGA Live https://omnia.direct/MVXYWo
➡️ Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging Transducer (Ultrex) https://omnia.direct/RLM896
➡️ Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging Transducer (Universal) https://omnia.direct/Wr1djw
➡️ Minn Kota Weedless Wedge 2 Prop https://omnia.direct/O0qQL0

➡️ Shop OMNIA FISHING: https://omnia.direct/zjK1dm

Shop OMNIA FISHING: https://omnia.direct/zjK1dm

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