Hello, I'm Jimmy's Mom. Let me tell you a little story about Jimmy. I think he was nine when we lived in front of a Lake. That summer Jimmy spent every spare minute fishing that lake. Twice that summer, when he jerked his lure out of the weeds, it landed on his head, Okay, time for a trip to the emergency room, twice. On the second trip to the emergency room Jimmy told the Doctor," Dr Hunt, I don't care what you do to my head, but that is my favorite lure, don't cut it." Precious memories.

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

That's a great story, Ms. Zinker! Thank you very much for sharing. You raised a terrific son. I'm a big fan. -- Ken

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

LOL!!! Oh man, that is funny! Thank you Mrs. Zinker! Terry

@kenmccarthyfishing

4 ай бұрын

@peggy684 thank you Peggy for sharing and that just takes the story to a whole other level ❤

@johnm2617

4 ай бұрын

😮 True fisherman! Great story < I split my head open twice in the same night ! Leaning back on our barstools in our kitchen < mom& Dad were not happy < 😮

@kenmccarthyfishing

4 ай бұрын

@@johnm2617 OUCH 🤕

Favorite episode by far. My old mans PB is 8 on the black jitterbug at about 2am on a our home lake here in western part of upstate NY.

My dad and I back in the 80's faithfully threw the musky bug in black for night largie fishin' in MASS. We found the KEY to many of our big fish nights were that we painted the lip making the whole bug BLACK. We found on moonlit nights you would get no reflection off the lip into the water making the whole jitterbug one large, dark silhouette on the surface producing a higher number of blowups. Still to this day I use this technique even with jointed jitterbugs. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND making this simple modification!!! Nothing better than a TANK crushing a bug in the darkness!!! Sometimes it scares the crap out of you!!!

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Sounds like a solid tip! Thank you! -- Ken

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Great tip!! Thank you! Terry

@Takeakidfishin

4 ай бұрын

Your welcome, Good luck!!!@@KenDukeBass

@Takeakidfishin

4 ай бұрын

On my channel if you wish to check out, I have a few BIG LARGIES I caught at night on all black musky jitterbugs. Look for the video entitled vintage Massachusetts bass fishin'/ bass from the 1980's and 90's. Enjoy@@thebigbasspodcast

@Huge4Fish

Ай бұрын

Nothing greater than that sound

Love to see this Epsiode Fellas! Jimmy is a plethora of knowledge when it comes to modifying and fishing the MJB at night! Cant wait to get out and put my "Zinker Bugs" to work this season! Great follow up episode Fellas!

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, Jason! You and Jimmy are a terrific one-two punch! -- Ken

"Unofficial Mike Davis" of the Big Bass Podcast checking in. Always a joy to see this notification pop up of a new episode dropping. Thanks for the podcast fellas!

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, UMD! -- Ken

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Lil' Boom! Big Boom.

Well this was a treat to hear from the man himself and all the secrets,thank you Ken,Terry and Nathan and our special guest 👏👏👏👏 we definitely need a wooden Jitterbug back and PLEASE have an episode on the Rhode Island state record ❤️

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Rhode Island is on our list of states to do! Thanks for watching Ken! Terry

There is a company that makes basically what is a Jitterbug bait for saltwater stripers. If i remember correctly the bait is made of wood and is a lot thicker and two or three inches longer than the Arbogast Musky model.

Every time I go to a fishing tackle show, I am surprised at all the swim bait makers. It would not take these lure builders much effort to create a modern version of the jitterbug. Great show. Thanks.

I had the honor of being able to fish with Jimmy one night on my local lake. What a great experience and unlike what Jimmy is saying I would go back anytime. I have not thought of doing anything else. I have purchased several musky bugs now and Jimmy will be the one to modify them. I have installed LED light bar for navigation along with GPS to find my places.

Recently came across the podcast, it’s one of my favorite podcasts now! Keep up the great podcasts!

Night time fishing can be great bass time. Me and my cousin used to fish every day. We used to fish this old sand mine. We even caught big bass in the middle of the night. Even on nights when we had freeze warnings and it would be in the low thirties I remember one specific night real cold we were fishing with cast net caught almost foot long wild shiners. And we caught them easily just as good as normal daytime weather. And another thing these high pressured lakes. Try them at night the big bass are more willing to eat

A lot of good juice in this one! Black jitterbug at night is clutch. Awesome show as always!

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

Yes Sir!! Taking them to Orange Lake tomorrow for the weekend. A little early and threatening weather, but we’ll see.

@BobbyBalsaRNM

5 ай бұрын

@jameszinker that's awesome! I got 2 more months in the desert, then I'll be back to chasing them. Good luck tomorrow!

I love this podcast!!!! I'm always excited to see a new episode drop !!!! Keep up the amazing work guys 👍👍

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, John! -- Ken

@secretbassrigs

5 ай бұрын

agreed!

I had the same reaction to that article in the 80s.. soaking wood baits, crimping the lip edges.. turned me on to bait modifications

Jitterbug! My dad used to like those. I remember opening up the tackle box and seeing a few. My dad also said fish it at night. I have caught a bunch of fish at night. Honestly I almost think it's better at night. My dads biggest bass 11 pounder came at night

Not sure how I missed this one, fabulous guys, loved it. My Musky Jitterbug is maybe 30 years old but don’t believe it’s wood. Too bad for me, need to dig it out. Thanks guys

Great episode. I can't wait for topwater season

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

It's already here ... if you're in the right latitude! LOL -- Ken

Giving the thumbs up before I even listen to the entire podcast. Why? Because, how can you not get enough of big bass! Thanks guys. This topic reminds me of Pat Cullen and the black buzzbait. As always, thanks for the lessons and knowledge! About to throw Gpa’s ole jitterbug prespawn - fall.

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, Eric. If you want to "meet" the man who built Pat Cullen's buzzbaits, check out tonight's episode of "Bass After Dark" at 9:00 p.m. ET. -- Ken

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

Thank you. Capt. Bert Deener with Bert’s Jigs and Things will sell you the set of 4 Buzz Baits he and Mr. Cullen designed. I used them and they are very effective.

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Thank you Eric!!! Terry

Great show Ken and terry , very interesting . Really enjoyed .

I’m so pumped this episode! Y’all really are the best! Thank you for all your hard work!

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Great chatting with you, Neal! Thanks for watching. -- Ken

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for the support Neal! Terry

One of the "recent" changes to the Jitterbug, which I do not like, and nobody ever mentions, is the shape of the line tie (loop/rivet). They always used to have the wire coming out straight, then the loop would go up and around, like the shape of the letter "P". This allowed the rivet head to lay more flush against the faceplate. Now the loop is more like the shape of a "?" making it not able to lay flush with the faceplate unless you somehow bend it yourself. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but possibly someone got lazy, and the current rivet shape is easier and more popular to make that way. What do you think, Jimmy, Ken and Terry?

@jameszinker

Ай бұрын

The problem I have always had was wear between the shank head and the face plate. With the old style it didn’t take much time for the connection to weaken to a point the line tie would pull through when a good fish was hooked. I know very little about the newer style except I stopped buying them even to be hardware donors because the current lips are so thin it’s hard to keep them in tune under normal use. If the line tie does not sit flush is seems to me this would cause faster wear.

@Kendrix1

11 күн бұрын

This is exactly what I always complained about but you are the first I have ever heard agree... My jitterbugs are deadly for 6-8 lb bass. I love when you see the white water blow up when a bass hammers it at night....

Bad ass podcast thanks dudes!

Yeap devil horse is another big bass lure. In Florida big top waters do attract the biggest in a lake

Love this show always great stuff

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

Thank you.

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Thank you Darius!!! We appreciate the support! Terry

Ken, Terry, I broke down and ordered about $100 worth of jitterbugs this past week. Several of each flavor, all of them in black. We'll see if it can compete with my current favorites, the black buzzbait and the black Berkely Choppo 120

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

I fish the buzz baits also at night. The Jitterbug is slow, it floats so it can “stop to rest” , it is great for times when the larger bass are lazy. It presents as an easy meal. The larger size draws particularly violent blowups. My theory is that because the Musky Bug is larger the bass tend to hit harder to stun their prey. I have had 7 and 8 pound bass hit the Bug numerous times before hooking up. The Buzz Baits are great when bass are very active and striking aggressively. The biggest PRO to using Buzz Baits is their ability to work directly in dense moss cover. I have a special custom made black Buzz Bait that I use straight over moss and pads. It gets destroyed in some of the most violent blowups I’ve ever heard at night. I was thinking about planting a bug in Ken’s ear for a Buzz Bait show. I have not sent him the pictures I have of Bass with Cullen Buzz Baits hanging from their mouths. We have hardly scratched the surface of what I can share on the subject of night fishing. I think you will find, as I have, the the Jitterbug and the Buzz Bait are the perfect team. Two doorways into the same desirable room.

@LucasBoone318

5 ай бұрын

@@jameszinker I think that's a great idea. Over the past few years, during warmer months, I've found myself exclusively throwing topwater. I've had much success at day and night, on several local lakes. Both fun fishing, and in tournaments. My best fish over the past 3-4 years have all come on some sort of topwater; most on a black buzzbait, some on a black choppo, and a couple on a black one knocker spook. I live in middle TN, and have found that topwater baits used throughout the day can win tournaments as well as put quality kicker fish in the boat for me. I'll txt Ken today and suggest a buzzbait show as well. I've gotten into making my own, and have found several modifications that have worked to draw more strikes than the typical run of the mill buzzbait. Thank you for your response sir, I appreciate it👍

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

I also use the Super Spook a lot with good success. I remove the three bream hooks the factory puts on them and put two sets of the same 4X 2/0 trebles I use on my Jitterbugs. I attach them with heavier split rings at the front and rear hook loops leaving the middle loop open. The lure action and hookup is terrific. I’ll never understand why they put those cute little hooks on there.

@LucasBoone318

5 ай бұрын

@@jameszinker I agree, I swap out the factory hooks, upgrade the split rings, and use a set of Berkley Fusion 19 hooks. I rarely fish a spook aside from the one knocker, so I've only got 2 hook places to begin with. I'm also only fishing for about a 6 lb largemouth at most around here. I've been surprised at the sharpness and strength of the Fusion 19, even tho they're only made in a 1X

Night fishing is the best thing ever

Ken, Terry absolutely unbelievable show. Simply can't get stuff like this anywhere else. I caught my first bass on a jitterbug probably over 45 years ago and still use them. However I'm more interested in the firefly product Ken mentioned. I saw their website but just wondering how good they actually are? If they work I know my night fishing will improve drastically. Any information would be greatly appreciated. God bless

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

James, I've never seen one in use, on the water, at night, but I believe it's a worthwhile product. I hope to get one and do some serious night fishing this year. -- Ken

there are some Japanese baits that are similar to the Jitterbug; I plan to make my own. I personally like the style of the 5/8 oz rather than the musky one. Almost different baits regardless of size. Great show thanks!

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, Kevin. -- Ken

@Huge4Fish

Ай бұрын

The RAID Bull Tank is a good one

Excellent video good information. I was thinking about Mr Zinker. I believe he said his best night of fishing included 2 each 7 pounders. I believe he also said his best bass was 9 3/4 pounder. Both of these events are way better than anything I have ever achieved. But, I wonder if the current big bass populations in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are way past their prime. L J was killing those double digit bass.

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

My best bass weighed was 10-2. She was caught at night but not with the Bug. I have caught one that was bigger when I was 19 but she was never weighed.

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

I believe there are still big bass out there. I think the key is in lake cycle. O H Ivey in Texas, Orange Lake in Florida are in big fish cycles right now. Lake Jackson dried down the the late 50’s and was restocked after filling back up. Brasher was doing so strongly there in the 70’s. Jackson is in drydown right now and I am told there are plans to restock her when the water level returns to fill pool. This will create another trophy cycle in Jackson over the next decade.

@af4od02

5 ай бұрын

@@jameszinker I hope to fish Lake Orange in the next couple years. It would be neat to rent a home there in the winter months and bring my boat down. Thanks for the info. Also, I have been enjoying big swimbaits. There are bunches of individual artisan builders of these baits. I really think a modern red cedar muskie jitterbug would be an easy buildup.

buying a new lure for parts. PRICELESS!

How is ur channel not growing? Y'all should have 100 k plus. Some of these dumb channels have over 200 k. U tube is sucking. Y'all do a great job!

@pedrohenriques2983

Ай бұрын

They barely have adds, you tube only promotes the Chanel’s with a lot of advertising, it’s all about money not about content

Love the night! Whole different water.

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Yes sir! Thank you for watching! Terry

Ken , I was wondering if you could get a company to make a Musky Jitterbug kit with an unpainted cedar body, heavy-duty hook hangers, and premium hooks? A company may be like Jann's Netcraft.

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

Not a bad idea.

@KenDuke-vp9ws

5 ай бұрын

Barlow’s Tackle sells the unpainted wooden bodies, the face plates, and all the hardware! - Ken

Always great stories

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, Bobby! -- Ken

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Thank you Bobby! Terry

Another great show fellows

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Thank you Rick! Terry

Just fascinating discussion. Love lure modification, and this is lure mod on steroids. Can't afford to buy an old, real Jitterbug, but I can follow Jimmy Zinker's example and carve one. Brilliant show, guys.

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, Dave! -- Ken

@Stumpjack

5 ай бұрын

Final thought: I too have waffled and doubted myself on calling the faceplate on the Jitterbug a "lip." But that's what I guess I go with because there's not a word with less syllables and the thing does kinda look like a set of lips when you look at it straight on. But for a guy who is into words and their meanings this one does unnecessarily bedevil me. lol

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

Dave, I'm working on that Bassmaster article and plan to use "faceplate" throughout, though I certainly don't fault you or anyone else for saying "lip." I'm occasionally the terminology police. Drives me crazy when people say "structure" but should say "cover." -- Ken

@Stumpjack

5 ай бұрын

​@@KenDukeBass​ I am a badge carrying member of the grammar and terminology force. But whenever I correct my wife she responds with "There, their, they're." to shut me up.

That's the only way we fish here from early April to first off September

I love night fishing in Texas Caught lots of good fish. He is right dark is better

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching Rocco! Terry

I absolutely love slow waking a pb rat at night. There are things that go bump in the night, and they're called BIG BASS!

Nice!

@thebigbasspodcast

4 ай бұрын

Thank you Devin! Terry

Why wouldn’t a popper be just as effective at night?

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

Fished properly in the right place a popper should do well at night. It’s all in what you want to specialize with. Cullen did it with Buzz Baits, some guys today are catching tremendous fish consistently with swim baits. You could be the guy that makes the popper great again. It’s one thing to catch a big bass, but to do it consistently, that is no accident.

I just went and got a black one I used to fish them a lot when I was a kid but I forgot how to make them walk right this one just don’t seem to do it right just gotta keep bending that lip I guess that’s what I don’t like about them

@jameszinker

Ай бұрын

They will all produce a very similar action and sound out of the box. The bends I do to the lip are not intended to fine tune the factory setup. That is not needed. The bends I do change the lure drastically. If your changes are not equal on each side you will through the lure out of balance.

@Budget.bass.fishing

Ай бұрын

@@jameszinker thank you

Bait X

Has The Big Bass Podcast been discontinued? 45 days since the last episode...... I keep checking for new episodes only to be sadly disappointed.

@jameszinker

3 ай бұрын

I was wondering the same thing.

How you gonna fish a jitter bug in heavy vegetation

@KenDukeBass

5 ай бұрын

With weedless hooks ... or replace the trebles and install a single hook coming out of the back -- swimbait-style. -- Ken

@jameszinker

5 ай бұрын

Coon tail moss, hydrilla, eel grass, other common moss plants tend to lay just below the water surface a few inches to two feet. Fish the bug over this stuff. It is deadly. Where these plants reach the surface, fish the edges. Pads and standing grasses, fish the pockets and tight openings. That is deadly. If you aren’t cleaning your lure every two or three casts you aren’t doing it right.

@andywilliamson7846

4 ай бұрын

@@KenDukeBass Ken, Arbogast did make a weedless Jitterbug with a solid double hook coming straight out of the end of the lure. Just above the point where the hook enters the lure is a small knob that is used for attachment of a hula skirt. I still have one. When I first saw it, 40 years ago, I thought it was a great concept. Unfortunately, the hooking percentage is very poor. I tried bending the double hook down, but it did not help. The Creme Do-Dad is a similar lure, but with a single hook. Thanks. Andy from S.Dak.

@jameszinker

3 ай бұрын

I remember seeing those. The modern frogs also use that hook concept and I have yet to hook a bass with one. I don’t use them. Nothing more frustrating than going 15 for 0 on blowups.

@drinkthekoolaidkids

Ай бұрын

@@jameszinkerexactly , not saying fish can’t be caught on weedless hooks , but the same thing that makes them weedless also makes them less hook ups .