Jerkbait problems

[chewy]

Went out tonight and threw a jerkait for a while. Started off with the X-rap. First time throwing it and I really like it. It has great side to side action with a lot of roll to it. Problem is the split ring tie has a gap in it. The two circular pieces do not lay flat agaisnt each other. I found this out when I lost one. I made a cast and did not feel it, so I thought I had lost it to a pike. I reel in and see I still have my snap. The only thing I could think of was the snap worked its way through the split ring. I check the other three I bought and all of them have faulty rings. I tried smashing them down with pliers but it did not work. I am going to switch mine out. If anyone else has bought a few I would check them.

After this I move to the Wild Shiner. My favorite jerkbait. Had problems with one last year where it sank like a rock. I thought I may have a bad one so I bought two new ones in my favorite color. Tried both of them tonight and both of them sank like a rock. This started on the first cast with both and they are brank new. I know its not from catching fish or mistreating them.

I guess what I am asking is, has anyone else had these problems or did I just get lucky and get all the the bad ones?

[blakstr1]

i cehcked out my x-raps and 1 of the 5 i've got had what i would consider a bad split ring. now i've got about a dozen of the wild shiner (also my favorite) i guess the first thing i would ask is how heavy of line you are using and what type. what is the water temp you are fishing right now. all of the wild shiner jerkbaits are designed to work as described in 55 degree and warmer water, so a sespending would almost become deep diving and a floater would become a suspending in cooler water. in the spring i use all floating wild shiners on 17lb. xps fluoro, in fact i prefer floating almost all year due to the incredible action but i would hardly ever throw a suspending until around mid-June. this is just a guideline and i'll adjust accordingly. hope some of this might help.

[chewy]

I was throwing them on 10# Berkley Xt. I tried a couple other wild shiners that have been through a lot of fish. The gold one I have is missing 1/4 of its paint on the rear. It suspended just fine. Water temp was around 55 to 54. Sent an e-mail to Strike King and I will let you know what they say.

[chewy]

Got my reply back from Strike King. They had me send my mailing info and they said they will send me a couple for free. I thought this was pretty cool since I have bought a ton of these things since they first came out. The pike seem to like them as much as the bass. They did not give an explanation for the sinking effect. I wonder if a ball bearing came loose and rolls to the rear of the bait when it hits the water. The cool thing is Strike King seems to stand behind their product.

[blakstr1]

that is the sign of a great company, i wish they would have given an explanation though... i'm really curious as to why the sank?? keep me posted if anymore do it.

[dartag]

i was very impressed with strike king.. had some wild shiners that the bill broke off last year.. sent them back and they replaced what i had broken plus a few more...

[chewy]

Strike King rocks. Opened the mailbox yesterday to find six brand new Wild Shiners. Only wanted the three bad ones replaced but they sent double. Goes without saying I will be buying a lot more Strike King products from now on.