![Fish caught using a jerk bait](https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/uploads/2021/09/img_2816-1.jpg)
Soft-plastic jerk baits are—or should be—in every coastal angler’s tackle bag. Inexpensive yet deadly in a variety of colors and sizes, these ballyhoo or needlefish imitations will fool most game fish. Best of all, jerk baits can be rigged multiple ways. Here are the top configurations:
![A collection of jerk baits](https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/uploads/2021/09/jerkbaits1.jpg)
![A second collection of jerkbaits](https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/uploads/2021/09/jerkbaits2.jpg)