Sometimes smallmouth won't chase down fast moving baits. If you're confronted with finicky bass, rig up a soft jerk bait and really slow down your presentation. Match colour to the predominant forage base in your water system, with an emphasis on natural shades of off-white, gray and silver for clear water conditions. Owner, Heddon and Gamakatsu are the leading edge manufacturers of off-set hooks for soft stick baits. Make sure your bait is rigged perfectly straight to prevent it from spinning and twisting unnaturally in the water.
Patience is a virtue when fishing soft stickbaits.
Unlike a spinnerbait presentation that generates a reaction strike, the objective of a soft body bait is to mimic an injured baitfish. Slow down and let the natural action of the bait work to your advantage with a series of short twitches and long pauses that suspend the bait in the water. Letting the bait slowly sink without imparting any rod action will drive a smallmouth into a homicidal rage. When a smallie eats your jerkbait, pause for a three-count before setting the hook. The natural texture of a soft stickbait virtually guarantees that the fish won't drop your presentation.