Your Best Bet for a GIANT Bass

Season 2, episode 4

No other artificial lure has caught more giant bass than the Arbogast Musky Jitterbug. This legendary bait — first manufactured in 1940 — is responsible for more state records and award winners than any other, and it’s remarkably simple to use. Follow the advice of our expert, Jimmy Zinker, and take your lunker fishing to the next level.

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[peggy]

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.

[mikeyd]

"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!

[pimppawfishing]

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

[jflesh.bassin]

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!

[kenmccarthyfishing]

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 ❤️

[hunter-]

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

[Takeakidfishin]

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!!!

[johnlong]

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

[chrishampton]

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

[afod]

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.

[BobbyBalsaRNM]

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

[texoma_outdoors]

Great episode. I can't wait for topwater season

[manofthehour]

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.

[shelbybentley]

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.

[ericdesloge]

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.

[nealcart]

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

[greenpighunter]

Excellent conversation. Thanks to you all. I love chasing the big girls in the dark.

[maxchenault]

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

[johnnywhite]

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.

[andywilliamson]

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?