SMITH JIB 90 SP Suspending Lure - 9 cm

Product highlights

The SMITH JIB 90 SP lure is a suspending minnow designed to faithfully imitate a distressed baitfish. Its weight distribution relies on internal tungsten beads that raise the center of gravity and generate a strong rolling action. With each rod twitch the lure tilts onto its side and flashes intensely, provoking strikes from even wary predators.

Thanks to its carefully balanced design, this hard predator lure holds a natural pose during pauses, like an injured fish hesitating between flight and stillness. This realistic attitude, combined with an irregular swim, makes the JIB 90 SP particularly effective on educated fish used to overly linear presentations. Its versatility covers many freshwater situations in rivers, canals and lakes.

During jerking or twitching actions, one of the tungsten beads slides toward the rear of the body, causing the lure to rear up and perform erratic darts. This sequence of off-axis movements reproduces the panicked flight of a small baitfish and constitutes a very strong predation signal. The JIB 90 SP SMITH therefore becomes a go-to when predators follow without committing or are especially picky.

Technical specifications

• Type: suspending minnow intended for freshwater predator fishing.
• Construction: rigid body balanced by internal tungsten beads that concentrate mass and stabilize the swim.
• Action: strong rolling with irregular lateral deviations, imitating a distressed baitfish.
• Presentation: specially designed for jerking and twitching techniques, but also effective with a punctuated steady retrieve.
• Behavior: suspending lure that remains in the worked water column during pauses, allowing the predator time to decide.
• Rigging: multiple hooks sized for predator strength, offering a good compromise between quick hook-up and fish retention.
• Audience: anglers from beginners to experts seeking a versatile technical lure that is easy to handle.

Benefits and strengths

The main advantage of the SMITH JIB 90 SP lies in its ability to combine ease of use with technical efficiency. Even with a basic cast-and-retrieve, its pronounced rolling and irregular deviations produce a lively swim that triggers bites. In the hands of an experienced angler it becomes a true precision jerkbait capable of triggering following or hold-up fish in cover.

The tungsten bead system provides finely tuned balance, improving lure stability and enabling precise casts to marked spots such as edges, drop-offs, weeds or submerged structure. Its ability to stay suspending during pauses is a major asset in cold water or on lethargic fish that need time to decide. By simply varying rod strikes and pause duration, the angler has a wide range of presentations with a single hardbait.

Another strength is the JIB 90 SP's silhouette and swim are designed to mimic a generic baitfish, allowing it to work equally well on small cyprinids, other whitefish or perch/zander fry. This visual and dynamic neutrality makes it a versatile lure that belongs in every box, whether for quick prospecting or for more subtle, slow approaches.

Usage tips

To get the most from the SMITH JIB 90 SP, use a rod with a tip sensitive enough to transmit rod strikes. A basic retrieve alternates a few turns of the handle with one or two sharp wrist twitches, followed by a short pause. The lure then undulates in place and remains suspended in the predators' holding zone, giving them time to inhale the bait.

When prospecting large areas or along shorelines, a more pronounced jerking retrieve makes the JIB 90 SP zigzag with violent darts. Between series of pulls, mark a pause to fully exploit its suspending behavior. Adjust retrieve speed to fish activity: slow with long pauses in cold conditions, faster and more aggressive when predators are actively feeding.

For optimal presentation, use a fluorocarbon leader appropriate to the target species for increased stealth and abrasion resistance. Also ensure the snap or connection knot does not restrict the lure's freedom of movement. Test different cadence variations on the same spot: the JIB 90 SP tolerates tempo changes very well, allowing you to quickly find the most attractive combination of the day.

Testimonials

FAQ

Question 1: Which predators is the SMITH JIB 90 SP best suited for?

Answer: This suspending minnow is ideal for targeting most freshwater predators such as pike, perch, zander and bass, depending on spots and presentations chosen.

Question 2: In which conditions does the JIB 90 SP perform best?

Answer: It excels when fish follow without striking, in shallow to mid-depth zones, or whenever predators focus on small baitfish. Its suspending pauses and irregular swim are particularly effective in clear water or on wary fish.

Question 3: What rigging do you recommend for this lure?

Answer: A simple snap or loop knot connected to a fluorocarbon leader of suitable length preserves the lure's freedom of movement and optimizes hook-ups with the SMITH JIB 90 SP.