Twitch Blades for Late Fall Walleyes and Smallmouth: A Game-Changer from JB Lures

As a fortunate (or lucky) angler who tagged out on an eight-point buck on opening morning of deer season, I found myself with extra time for my first passion: late fall fishing. Before freeze-up forces me to store the boat away, I seized the opportunity to explore a new bait—the Magnum Twitch Blade from JB Lures.

This innovative vertical jigging lure is quickly proving its worth, not only for its intended purpose of targeting Lake Trout but also for walleyes and smallmouth bass. Here’s what I discovered during a few days on one of Northern Minnesota’s shield lakes.

The Late Fall Bite: Walleyes and Smallmouth Galore

Like many anglers, I have a long-standing affinity for glide baits such as Jiggin’ Raps and Hyper Rattles. While JB Lures and Mission Tackle don’t currently offer lures in this category, these baits are undeniably fun and effective during the late fall season. My go-to technique involves targeting deep rock reefs where both trophy walleyes and large numbers of smallmouth bass can be found. On this trip, we experienced a crazy smallmouth bite, while the walleyes were a bit tougher to coax.

Testing the Magnum Twitch Blade

Curiosity led me to experiment with the Magnum Twitch Blade, JB Lures' new vertical jigging bait. Although originally designed for Lake Trout, I wanted to see how it performed on walleyes and smallmouths. Using the 1 oz and 1.5 oz sizes in Gold Shiner and Pink/Gold Hologram, I fished it alongside glide baits. The results were intriguing.

The Twitch Blade boasts a vibrant vibrating action on the upstroke and glides to the side on the descent. Unlike glide baits, it doesn’t require an overly dramatic jigging action. I found simple 12–18 inch rod lifts, letting the bait hit the bottom on the drop, to be the most effective technique.

By the second day, my fishing partner Kevin switched from glide baits to the Twitch Blade after witnessing its effectiveness. That day, we landed several nice fish, including two 24” walleyes. The Twitch Blade proved its capability as an alternative to glide baits, and its unique action opened up new possibilities for vertical jigging.

Hook-Up Ratios: A Key Advantage

One of the standout features of the Twitch Blade is its dual treble hooks, which contribute to a better hook-up ratio compared to glide baits. Glide baits often lose fish due to their single, narrow-gap hooks at either end, whereas the trebles on the Twitch Blade provide a more secure hold once a fish strikes.

While I haven’t yet used the Twitch Blade as a casting bait, I suspect it might encounter tangling issues in that application. For vertical jigging, however, it excelled. Spotting fish on sonar and presenting the Twitch Blade directly over them resulted in consistent bites.

A Promising Future for the Twitch Blade

As temperatures continue to drop in Northern Minnesota, I’ll soon winterize my boat—always a bittersweet task as another open-water season comes to an end. Despite only a day and a half of fishing with the Twitch Blade, the initial results were promising. I look forward to dedicating more time next year to experimenting with this bait on different fisheries to fully understand its potential.

For now, the Magnum Twitch Blade stands out as a versatile and effective addition to JB Lures' lineup. Whether you’re targeting late fall walleyes or smallmouth bass, this bait offers a fresh approach to vertical jigging. As 2025’s open-water season approaches, I can’t wait to see how the Twitch Blade continues to perform.

Why Choose the Twitch Blade for Vertical Jigging?

• Innovative Design: Vibrating action on the upstroke and a gliding descent.
• Improved Hook-Up Ratios: Dual trebles increase fish retention.
• Versatility: Effective for multiple species, including walleyes, smallmouth bass, and Lake Trout.

If you’re gearing up for your next fishing adventure, give the Magnum Twitch Blade a try. It could be the game-changer you’ve been looking for!