3 Best Jerkbaits for Surf Fishing: Surf Lures To Trust

surf fishing for halibut with jerkbaits

Surf fishing with jerkbaits is an exciting and effective way to target many species from the surf including halibut, surfperch, white seabass, striped bass, and many others. Jerkbaits imitate baitfish (often in a wounded fashion), triggering aggressive strikes from predators in the surf zone. After extensive testing, I’ll be breaking down the 3 best jerkbaits for surf fishing and I’ll give you some tips as to how they swim, cast etc.

Why Jerkbaits Work for Surf Fishing

Jerkbaits mimic small baitfish such as anchovies, sardines, or smelt. Their versatility allows for long casts, precise depth control, and life-like swimming action, making them indispensable for surf anglers.

Advantages of Jerkbaits in Surf FishingDetails
Mimics injured baitfishTriggers predatory strikes
Long casting distanceReaches various surf zones
Suspends or sinks to specific depthsKeeps bait in the strike zone longer
Works with various retrieval techniquesSteady, jerking, or stop-and-go retrieves

The 3 Best Jerkbaits for Surf Fishing

JerkbaitDepthPriceCastingAction
Shimano 4-6 feet$$$A-A+
Lucky Craft 1-2 feet$$$A-A+
Calissa1-2 feet$$B-B

3. Calissa 110mm Jerkbait

DesignCastingSwim ActionOverall
AB-BB

Lure Specs

Length110mm
Weight5/8 oz
Swim Depth1-2ft
Best FeaturePrice

The first lure we’ll be talking about today is the Calissa 110mm jerkbait. This is essentially a copycat Lucky Craft FM 110. Why is it number four on the list? Well, it’s good. But it’s not as good as the OG Lucky Craft jerkbait.

A while back, I wrote an in-depth article comparing the Lucky Craft FM 110 to the Calissa 110 and I broke down the pros and cons to each as well as which lure did better in each of the following categories. For more details, read the article here: “Lucky Craft vs Calissa Lure“.

Design/Looks

When comparing the Calissa to the LC FM 110, I could have easily been fooled. It makes sense why this lure is often in the mix in terms of the best jerkbaits for surf fishing. Aside from a slight difference in the eye shape and a different type of clip and hooks, the pearl white version of both of these lures are near-identical to one another.

Casting

Both the LC and the Calissa cast similar distances. It really comes down to consistency. You see, in most jerkbaits, there’s an internal weight system – usually little lead balls of sorts inside. These balls not only give the lure its weight, but also balance the lure properly for casting. When you shake the lure as it hangs from your line and let it settle, you should be able to cast your best. I found that the optimal balance was achieved more frequently in the LC than the Calissa.

Swim Action

At first, I couldn’t tell the difference. With a normal-normal/fast retrieve, the Calissa has a good wobble and it looks great in the water; similar to the LC, but not the same. After some time, I could tell there was something just slightly different.

The Lucky Craft is unique in that it has such a tight wobble; it’s almost a signature of the brand. The Calissa has a good wobble too, just not as tight a wobble. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the LC swims “better”. It’s just a different style.

Overall

The bottom line with this lure is that it produces and it’s the least expensive option when it comes to the best jerkbaits for surf fishing. It looks and feels very much like the LC but you can slightly feel the wobble is a tad weaker and the aerodynamics in casting is less consistent than the LC.

The Calissa 110 offers exceptional value for its performance. Its slow-sinking action makes it ideal for targeting deeper holes and channels in the surf. Its durable design can withstand repeated strikes, and it comes in a wide range of vibrant color patterns that suit different water conditions.


#2 Lucky Craft FM 110mm

a good jerkbait for surf fishing
DesignCastingSwim ActionOverall
AA-A+A

The Lucky Craft FM 110 was the gold standard for the longest time in terms of jerkbaits for surf fishing. To some, it still might be. It’s a high quality lure and its resume of catches is easily the best resume of any lure on this list.

Lure Specs

Length110mm
Weight5/8 oz
Swim Depth1-2ft
Best FeatureAction

Design/Looks

I don’t have much to say about the design and looks of the LC FM 110 because it’s the “standard”. Its design has worked forever and you can’t really complain about it. Color options are also plentiful.

Casting

The Lucky Craft FM 110 casts fairly well. It won’t shock you and it won’t impress you too much, but it’s consistent and it casts as far as you would expect a quality jerkbait to. It’s important to take the time to shake the lure before casting it and dangle it to ensure the internal weights sink down to the back end of the lure. This will make for the most consistent and farthest casting possible from the LC.

Swim Action

Swim action on this lure is second to none… or at least it was for the longest time. It holds an extremely tight wobble, and maintains a solid wobble even throughout slow retrieves. Like any jerkbait, seaweed is a massive weakness, but it can fight through one or two pieces of grass and maintain a wobble better than it’s formerly mentioned counterparts.

Overall

Overall, it’s a very good lure that you can fish with confidence right from the get-go. In my opinion, this is the second best jerkbait for surf fishing.


#1 Shimano WM 115mm SP

DesignCastingSwim ActionOverall
A+A-A+A+

The Shimano WM is a different beast. For this one, I actually wrote an entire article about this lure because of how much I loved it. Read more about the Shimano WM SP jerkbait here.

Lure Specs

Length115mm
Weight5/8 oz
Swim Depth4-6ft
Best FeatureFlash Boost / Action

Design/Looks

The Shimano WM 115 SP’s most unique facet is it’s “Flash Boost” technology. This is essentially a small piece of aluminum implanted within a translucent-bodied lure via spring-loaded fastenings. With even the most subtle of movements, the aluminum will vibrate, thus emitting reflections through all sides of the lure, even during pauses.

Casting

Casting is where the Battlestar has everyone beat, but it’s also a tad heavier than the rest of its class. The Shimano WM 115 SP is solid in terms of casting. I would put it right in line with the LC FM 110. I did notice, however, that it’s very worth-while to give it a little shake prior to your casting in an effort to balance the weights properly to allow for optimal casting. There was a noticeable difference between when the weights were vs. weren’t balanced.

Swim Action

The swim action on this lure was what most impressed me when actually using it. I’ve praised the LC’s swim action in the past for its ability to maintain such a tight wobble even through slow retrieves. This is the one thing I believe the Battlestar lacks. I believe the WM-115 SP holds as good a wobble as (if not better than) the LC 110.

In my opinion, its action is the best I’ve ever fished. It also practically never rolls. This is an area where the LC 110 is pretty good, but the LC 115 and the Battlestar 115 lag. Overall, I was very impressed with the wobble and overall appearance of the lure when it was swimming.

Overall

The Shimano WM 115 SP is the best jerkbait for surf fishing. Between the unique and superior design, its fantastic action, and the fact that it produces like no other lure, it’s the best surf fishing jerkbait on the market.

Tips for Fishing with Jerkbaits in the Surf

  1. Match the Hatch: Choose natural colors like anchovy, smelt, or sardine for clear water and brighter colors for murky conditions.
  2. Work the Troughs: Cast beyond the breakers and retrieve through sandy channels or near structure.
  3. Experiment with Retrieves: Try steady, jerking, or stop-and-go retrieves to trigger strikes.
  4. Use the Right Gear: Pair these jerkbaits with a medium-fast action rod and a high-speed reel for optimal results.

Final Thoughts

The Shimano WM 115 SP has emerged as the new standout jerkbait for surf fishing, but each of these four options has unique strengths. Whether you prioritize long casting, affordability, or lifelike action, these are the best jerkbaits for surf fishing.

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