OHUB Review: Marker 54 Jerk Shrimp
Keith Lusher 12.06.23
Here in South Louisiana, any kind of lure that mimics a live shrimp has the potential to convert a fishing trip into a catching trip. I recently had the opportunity to try out a new shrimp lure after watching a very informative video online. In the video 11 artificial shrimp lures were filmed underwater so that the viewers could get a better idea of how the lure performed underwater. After watching the video numerous times I couldn’t help but use the test as an excuse to head on down to the local tackle shop and snatch up a few packs of the Marker 54 Jerk Shrimp. These shrimp are 4 inches long and have a tail that is segmented to let the tail arch when jerked through the water. The eye of the hook is located in the middle of the shrimp so the shrimp swims backward just like a fleeing brown shrimp would when pursued by a predator fish.
After getting home I couldn’t wait to tie one on and head to the marsh for some speckled trout fishing, however, a cold front passed through the day before and I wanted to let the pressure settle down a bit. I targeted a day that was four days after the front that way the barometric pressure would be on the way down just before the next front.
My day started early as I wanted to take advantage of the early morning bite that had been in effect for the last week or so. I ended up sneaking into a canal in the marsh and working my way back throwing the Marker 54 Jerk Shrimp. My first impression of this thing was WOW! I was using the “Natural Brown” color and was amazed at how real the shrimp looked especially when I popped it.
The fall was pretty realistic as well as it fell exactly how a live shrimp would fall. The shrimp stayed horizontal and didn’t tilt to the side at all. Unfortunately, there were no fish in that canal that I could spot on my electronics so I made my way out of that canal and found another one. The next canal was one I knew very well. It was about 15 feet deep with a wooden bulkhead that was broken. the water was pouring out and I knew I was in for an experience when I saw an explosion on the surface of the water and then a brown shrimp skipped three times across the surface. I cast to the action and popped the shrimp twice then felt a thud on the other end of my line. I battled the fish for about two minutes and then boat-flipped a 15-inch speckled trout into the boat. As the fish was flopping on the bow it spit up a brown shrimp and I was able to match that shrimp to the Marker 54 Shrimp. I have to say that the folks at Marker 54 did their homework on this one as the shrimp matched the real shrimp that came out of the trout’s mouth. The thing that I like most about this shrimp is the marking on the end of its tail. It’s a dark brown tip that mimics a real shrimp perfectly. I was able to sit in the same spot near the bulkhead and catch a limit of trout with the shrimp lure. All of them were over 13 inches with my biggest measuring 19 inches which was a special treat to catch.
In conclusion, I was in awe of this shrimp and I don’t say that much about a lure. I can’t wait to get back out there and try this shrimp again. I have a feeling it’s going to perform well under a cork as the popping motion is its strength. If you like fishing with artificial shrimp for saltwater or even freshwater fish I highly recommend trying out the Marker 54 Jerk Shrimp.
