Fish will move out and suspend. But when they're suspending, nothing will trigger them into biting like a jerkbait. The technique is simple. Jerk the lure to the desired depth, pause a few seconds, then give it another pull. A jerkbait allows an angler to put the lure into the feeding zone of suspended fish.
Strikes usually come during the pause between jerks.
Jeffries occasionally employs jerkbait tactics with a jig. That will trigger fish to hit. As water temperatures approach the low to middle 60s and fish continue their movement to spawning areas, Patton suggests trying pockets off the main lake and major creek channels. Prime areas will have gravel or sand bottoms and be close to shore brush or other cover. The tail ends of major creeks also will hold spawning fish.