Unlocking Suspended Bass with Jerkbait and Minnow Lures

Wired2fish joins Fisher Anaya on Lake Guntersville to target suspended bass using jerkbaits and a jig and minnow presentation. Strong currents have forced fish from the main river to the calmer creek arms and bays following heavy storms throughout the southeast region. The reduced current in these protected areas has created an excellent opportunity to target shad-eating suspended bass. Anaya demonstrates his 2-pronged jerkbait and “pinging a minnow” technique, highlighting accuracy, depth control, and bait presentation tricks for catching suspended bass with forward-facing sonar.

TACKLE USED (retail links)
JERKBAIT SETUP
• JERKBAIT – Rapala PXR Mavrik 110, color – Crystal Shad: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/zxgjWW | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3Kzpe5k | Buy at FishUSA https://bit.ly/3C3ewme
• ROD – 13 Fishing Meta Series, 6’8″ Medium-Fast Casting Rod: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/QjPKRM | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3uI4689 | Buy at FishUSA https://bit.ly/4dzdiNZ
• REEL – 13 Fishing Inception G2 Casting Reel, 6.6:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/YRDdrm | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/47BXCpD
• LINE – Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon, 12-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/gOPovO | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3s5w6RK

SPINNING SETUP
• MINNOW – Rapala CrushCity Mooch Minnow: Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/4e8f0F9
• JIG – VMC RedLine Tungsten Swimbait Head, 3/16-ounce: Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3Aq4Kds
• SPINNING ROD – 13 Fishing Muse 6’9″, Medium-Fast Spinning Rod: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/EEb9aP | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/4hB2X6n
• SPINNING REEL – 13 Fishing Axum 3.0 Spinning Reel: Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/3zaqHwB
• LINE (braided mainline) – Sufix 832 Braided Line Neon Lime, 8-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/ZQ1O9R | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/4dK8tjL | Buy at FishUSA https://bit.ly/43Zocq9
• LINE (fluorocarbon leader) – Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon Line Leader, 10-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/Wqbbgn | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/43dZt2w

HOW TO TARGET SUSPENDED BASS WITH A JERKBAIT
Anaya’s approach focuses on pinpointing suspended bass using his Garmin LiveScope. He reaches for the jerkbait when he spots high-riding fish within casing range and the jig and minnow for deeper fish — both excellent wounded shad imitators. The trick is to make precise casts just above the fish and trigger them with the right cadence. A shallow diver proves to be the best jerkbait when targeting the high riders.

READING CURRENT AND BAIT SCHOOLS
Strong current on Lake Guntersville created ideal conditions for throwing jerkbaits. With bait schools clustered in the bays, Anaya intercepts bass moving in to feed. Using LiveScope, he identifies potential bass among other fish types and selectively targets active feeders, especially those high in the water column.

GEAR CHOICE FOR JERKBAITING SUCCESS
Being a shorter guy, Anaya prefers shorter rods for both techniques to enhance his bait control. He also opts for rods with a softer tip as they translate a more natural action to both baits. His transparent shad color choice mimics the baitfish in Guntersville’s clearer waters.

BOAT SETUP AND MISC.
• BOAT – Phoenix 921 Elite Bass Boat: Check out at Phoenix (https://bit.ly/3SQxdyk)
• OUTBOARD – Mercury Pro XS 250 hp: Check out at Mercury (https://bit.ly/3PeIhVk)
• CONSOLE GRAPH 1 – Humminbird HELIX 15 MEGA SI+ G4N: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/NkXdjN
• CONSOLE GRAPH 2 – Humminbird HELIX 10 MEGA SI+ G4N: Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G4N Fish Finder/Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/rQgZBG
• FISH FINDER – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 126sv Fish Finder/Chartplotter with Navionics+: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/g1YZj9
• FORWARD-FACING SONAR (FFS) – Garmin LVS34 LiveScope Plus Live Scanning Sonar Transducer: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/x905Dv
• MAPPING – Humminbird LakeMaster Premium VX Digital Map Chart Card – Southeast: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/R516Ga
• TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex 112lb-36V Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bit.ly/44VhWQN | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/48x6L3T
• SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR: Power Pole 8 ft. Blades: Buy at Bass Pro Shops https://bassproshops.vzck.net/q4bJGO | Buy at Tackle Warehouse https://bit.ly/44V7itc