A Complete Guide to the Flash Point Jerkbait Series

If you pay any attention to the world of bass fishing, you undoubtedly have heard about the BOOYAH Flash Point Jerkbait and the profound impact it has had on jerkbait fishing strategies and effectiveness.

You’ve likely also learned that following last year’s release of the original Flash Point, high angler demand prompted BOOYAH to develop a deep version, which was released in correlation with this year’s Bassmaster Classic. Continuing to respond to demand, BOOYAH introduced the Flash Point Jr and Flash Point Jr Deep at the ICAST show earlier this month.

With four Flash Point Jerkbaits now available and so much buzz about this lure series, it seemed like a good time to break down the Flash Point, detailing features that define all, differences among models, and keys to fishing them effectively this time of year.

Although they differ in size and diving depth, all four Flash Point models are the same shape, move and suspend the same way, and boast the same critical features and premium components.

As the Flash Point name suggests, the small blade that is sonically welded atop the head of every Flash Point is its most distinctive feature and has a couple of critical functions. First the metallic blade creates a subtle but distinct “flash point” that reflects light in different directions as the bait moves side to side. This mimics baitfish flash, adds visibility and prompts strikes. In addition, the flat blade creates a stronger return on live sonar, making the bait far easier to track for targeting specific fish.

As critical as the flash of the blade are the Flash Point’s shape and action. The slender profile, raised mid-section, detailed etching and intricate painting make the Flash Point a highly natural baitfish imitator. The darting action, engaged with every rod snap, is quick and erratic. Paused, the Flash Point suspends at a nose-down angle.

Not to be overlooked, every Flash Point is armed with three ultra-sharp, carbon steel SS finish treble hooks.

• Flash Point – The original Flash Point will remain the go-to for the broadest range of applications for many bass anglers. Measuring 4.25 inches and diving 4 to 6 feet, it suspends just above the zone that many fish use throughout the year, and is especially important for working near the bank, across points and bars, and over humps and roadbeds that top out fairly shallow.
• Flash Point Deep – Sized the same as the original but with a longer diving lip, the Flash Point Deep digs to about 10 feet, providing an excellent option for fish that are holding farther down in the water column, which happens frequently through the summer and year ‘round on many deeper, clearer waterways.
• Flash Point Jr – The smaller size of the Flash Point Jr provides a distinct advantage anytime extra-clear water, high-pressure systems or heavy fishing pressure have the fish acting finicky. In addition, it allows you to effectively match smaller forage, which can be an important factor at times.
• Flash Point Jr Deep – The Flash Point Jr Deep combines the virtues of smaller size and deeper reach, which is important because the same conditions that make fish fussier commonly push them a bit deeper. This model is quickly gaining a name as the ultimate jerkbait for big Northern smallmouth bass.

Suspending Jerkbaits were long seen as cold-water lures, used mostly during late winter and early spring and fished with quick twitches and long pauses to imitate winter stunned baitfish. A few knowing anglers have used them year-round for a long time – but they also knew to not talk about that!

Forward facing sonar changed everything, but not because you need that technology to effectively fish a jerkbait other times of the year. Forward facing sonar served as a revealer. Anglers suddenly could watch fish and see how they reacted to different presentations. It was confirmed that large numbers of bass suspended much of the year, and suspending jerkbait stayed in the right part of the water column to try to coax strikes. That led to a lot of suspending jerkbait experimentation, and anglers soon learned their effectiveness throughout the year.

Having different sizes and models that hit different depth ranges makes the Flash Point series especially well suited for fishing through the seasons, with the Jr and Jr Deep being extra good fits for late summer, when fish tend to get fussier.

Late in the summer, thermocline level dictates a lot regarding where baitfish and bass suspend in the water column, and the zone just above the thermocline is where you want to work if you don’t have forward facing sonar to show individual fish to target.

The primary difference between summer and winter presentations is that bass typically like a jerkbait fished faster and more aggressively during the summer. Quick but firm snaps with minimal significant pauses between them keep a Flash Point darting erratically and the blade sending out flash, triggering attacks from bass. That doesn’t mean burning it or jerking super hard. Just short, decisive snaps, one right after another.

Make no mistake. The Flash Point Jerkbait is a bass lure first. It was created by bass anglers with bass applications in mind, and BOOYAH’s primary niche is among serious bass anglers. That said, the same baitfish-imitating qualities and performance features that make the Flash Point a top offering for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass make it an excellent option for several other gamefish species.

• Walleyes – To walleye anglers, these are minnow baits, stick baits or crankbaits, and neither jerks nor pauses play much of a role. However, it didn’t take long for walleye specialists to learn that the flash of the blade, highly natural shaping and colors and enticing swimming action were outstanding for walleyes whether trolled or cast and reeled.
• Striped Bass & Kin – Striped Bass, white bass and striper/white bass hybrids mostly eat shad and herring of various sorts, so it’s no surprise that extra flash, a baitfish appearance and a darting action make a Flash Point irresistible to these species. As muscular as these fish are, it’s probably prudent to have a Lindy Fish Handling Glove handy for working around those ultra-sharp trebles!
• Brown Trout – Browns are far less of bug eaters than other trout, favoring chubs, darters, sculpins, shad or whatever other type of fish are around. In big tailwaters especially, casting a Flash Point into hard eddies and working it with hard snaps and punctuated pauses is an outstanding way to connect with chunky browns.
• Redfish/Speckled Trout/Bluefish – The truth is that the Flash Point provides a fabulous option for several saltwater species (including aforementioned stripers in their natural saltwater setting), but reds, specks and blues are certainly among the species that the most anglers have been using these baits to catch. The Flash Point Jr and Jr Deep undoubtably will be favorites for speckled trout.
• Northern Pike – Better have steel leader or at least strong fluoro if you’re throwing higher-priced baits to fish with that many teeth. That said, if you want to prompt fast action and hard strikes, with potential for a bigger pike, you won’t find much better options.