Ep. 96: Jon Kay of JK Baits on Custom Crankbaits, Painting Baits & Mexico Charter Life

Guest: Jon Kay (JK Baits)

Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Episode 96, recorded live on August 5, 2025, is one of the most detailed crankbait and reaction-bite conversations the show has had. Jon Kay of JK Baits breaks down crankbait mechanics, aggressive jerkbait fishing, and the mindset behind targeting fish that are ready to eat — not trying to convince fish that aren’t.

In This Episode

• Crankbait fishing rule: if it’s not hitting structure, it’s not working
• Why aggressive jerkbait fishing targets reaction bites instead of feeding behavior
• Crankbait setup — rod length, reel ratio, and line weight all affecting depth and action
• Why lighter line gets crankbaits deeper, especially in saltwater conditions
• Weedless A-rig approach — reducing snags while keeping multi-bait presentation effective
• Jon’s path into bait painting and custom crankbait building
• JK Baits painting workflow — efficiency, layering, and unconventional tools
• Daniel’s A-rig experimentation mindset and dialing in variables before fishing it

Why Crankbaits Have to Hit Structure

The most actionable takeaway in this episode is Jon’s core rule: if your crankbait is not hitting something, it is not working. A bait swimming clean through open water might look good, but it rarely triggers a fish holding tight to structure.

Crankbaits are designed to deflect. When they collide with rock, pylons, or bottom structure, they change direction unpredictably — and that’s what triggers reaction bites. That idea lines up directly with the SoCal structure fishing guide, where staying in contact with structure is often the difference between getting bit and not.

The same philosophy shows up in Jon’s jerkbait approach. He’s not trying to make a fish curious — he’s trying to make it react. Fast, erratic movement, aggressive rod work, and forcing the fish to decide quickly. Different bait, same principle.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode stands out because it clearly separates two styles of fishing: feeding-based presentations versus reaction-based fishing. Jon’s approach leans fully into reaction — finding aggressive fish and triggering them instead of trying to convince neutral fish to bite.

If you fish SoCal harbors, back bays, or structure-heavy water, the takeaway is simple: contact, deflection, and aggression matter. For more on how fish position and react in these environments, the spotted bay bass guide, SoCal structure fishing guide, and soft plastic color guide all connect directly to this episode.

Watch the full episode on the Time On The Water YouTube channel. New episodes every Tuesday at 6 PM.