Fishing Gear: H2OX 5-Inch Soft Jerk Shad

H2OX 5-Inch Soft Jerk Shad

Description and Application: The Jerk Shad design has been a proven fish catcher for years, and now H2OX has their take on the profile, and it looks great. The 5-inch bait comes in eight forage-mimicking colors and will do the work when a finesse approach is required—12 baits to a pack. The bait is salt, and scent impregnated so it sinks slowly, yet offers great action and is quite durable. The folks at Academy and H2OX suggest using a 7-foot medium-heavy power rod with moderate action matched with a baitcaster loaded with 12- to 15-pound line. They also suggest a 2/0 or 3/0 EWG hook for solid hookups and more fish in the boat. Available online or at your local Academy Sports + Outdoors retailer.

Staff Perspective:The presentation associated with the Jerk Shad is a combination of finesse and power fishing, as you can cover lots of water effectively with it, but it can be slowed and stopped to entice a following fish to strike. They’ll eat this, no doubt, but it might mean you need to “take the temperature” of the local bass and apply what they tell you. The fact is, the H2OX Jerk Shad will stand up to numbers of attacks and continue to present the wounded or dying baitfish presentation.

Cost:$3.99

H2OX 5-Inch Soft Jerk Shad

---