What size for smallmouth versus largemouth?
Smallmouth: 75-90 mm (3-3.5 in) as the standard, and 50-65 mm (2-2.5 in) micros on rivers where they eat small minnows — on light spinning gear. Largemouth: 100-130 mm (4-5 in), longer pauses. Both eat a 110 mm; neither eats a 130 mm every day.
The full story
This answer is one piece of a longer lesson — setups, diagrams and the reasoning behind it.
More questions about Jerkbaits (Suspending, Floating & Sinking)
- Why does my jerkbait sink (or float up) on the pause when the package says "suspending"?
- How long should I pause?
- Extra-fast or moderate action — which rod is right?
- How long a rod?
- Fluorocarbon or PE braid — and is nylon ever right?
- Rattling or silent?
- One-piece or jointed?
- What is "slow twitch" and when do I use it?
- Can I fish a jerkbait in grass at all?
- Do I need a loop knot?
- When is the water too warm for a jerkbait?
- Which reel speed?
- How do I get it deeper?
- I get bit but keep losing them — why?
- Colour — natural or bright?