Jerkbaits are not just a winter or cold water lure, they work all year and even in the heat of summer may be the best choice.
Rodney
You're right Rodney. A great all season lure. The retrieve may change in warmer water but the bass will still eat 'em.
Don't overlook the floating versions like the old original Rapala floating minnow. ~shhh
I've caught 'em in the Atchafalaya Swamp in late June. Kentucky Lake in September. All over the place in every month except July and August, and I just haven't hit the right circumstance yet.
Go to minute 3:52 in this video-
http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=145405.0 (http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=145405.0)
This big FAT girl was a spawner that I couldn't see. My retrieve and rod angle are not your typical jerkbait deal.
While this was kind of already covered in the other Jerkbait Thread, yes they can and should be used during all months of the year. As long as there is a dying or hurt bait in the water there is a time to throw a Jerkbait.
This is especially true in the north country! In the Dakotas and northern Iowa, I have caught smallmouths and largemouths (mostly smallies) by fishing a suspending jerkbait about as fast a humanly possible.
On Lake Angostura in the Black Hills of South Dakota in August, I caught both species nearly cast after cast by fishing floating tire rows in front of marinas over 50 feet of water.
I've also found that when I am able to work the bait that fast, I do even better by using bright, obnoxious colors instead of going to something more natural. My guess is that since the lure is moving so quickly and erratically, that crazy color just keys in even more on that aggressive behavior that the bass are in at the moment.
My favorite color is made by Skirmish Baits and its called Joker. It has a black head, mostly pearl white body, with a chartreuse back and some orange on the bottom. Honestly, it doesn't look like anything that swims but it sure does tick those bass off!
Ever watch MLF when they are in North Waters and see KVD fishing? He is working a Jerkbait and tearing up the board.
In one episode he actually mentions that "these guys are going to be tired of seeing this Jerkbait", meaning the other Anglers.
He really works that bait! I mean he is constant moving jerking it hard!