I've been trying to track down some Northland Slurpies Jerk Shad in bluegill color (actually I think I'm looking for a perch color but that's another thread). What does everyone use for a jerk shad in terms of length, brand and color(s). What I've been looking for is either out of production or sold out or both so I'm looking for good substitutes.

I like the Storm swimbaits in 4-6" sizes, depending on time of year. Early season in 4", later season, 6". I like pearl, rainbow trout, and firetigre for colors. Color choice depends on water clarity and light conditions.

Are those the curly tailed minnow type or a different version? My issue is just trying to sort out the different terminology and the advantage of each type of plastic bait. I'm not sure for instance if a plastic paddle tail minnow-y thing is better than a jerk shad (what is a jerk shad anyway?) or a jerk minnow or flukes or.....well you get the picture! I have some 4" storm wild eye curly tail minnow in shiner and the same in baby pike but beyond that I'm kind of lost in this whole swimbait arena.

Maybe I should just adopt a more "zen-ish" approach to this and get different colors of reputable plastic fish by Storm, Berkeley and Northland and chuck it in the water :)

Well, I can't tell you what to use. It might interfere with zen or karma, or even barometric pressure, wind direction, or any number of variables. I have mostly paddle tails with a few curly tails. My hunch is that you're mostly interested in the active fish which would indicate a more active presentation (paddle tail), while more neutral fish will prefer a less aggressive (curly tail) presentation.  8-)

That's good advice though. Paddle tails for the active fish and curly tails for those introverted rascals.

I just re-read Mike Teach's article in the 2008 Spring BWJ called "Zulu Magic".  He called the bait "jerk shads" and they just had a pointy tail.  There was one with a split tail also.  Not sure if Storm still makes these but Mike used no weight with a #1 red Gamakatsu worm hook.  He also uses 8" of mono leader tied to a #3 Spro swivel to minimize line twist.

There was also a pic of one rigged Carolina style to get down deep.  His color bait of choice is blue top with white underneath mimicking shad.  He strictly was fishing smallies in Quetico and did real well in moving water in the spring. He's also known as Quetico Mike on the boards.