Bomber Long A: the classic jerkbait that's still catching fish

The Long A isn't a trendy lure. Its shape has barely changed since it was introduced, and that's exactly what makes it a benchmark. Where a lot of modern jerkbaits chase a flashy look in the packet, the Long A just does what's asked of it — roll hard on the twitch and stay believable at rest — through decades of tournaments and ordinary fishing trips alike.

What explains its staying power

The Long A owes its reputation to a particularly wide twitch and a strong roll that triggers reaction strikes even from inactive fish. Unlike thinner, subtler modern jerkbaits, it doesn't aim for restraint: its broad swim is visible and audible (literally — the bill produces a light clacking sound) from a distance, which makes it an excellent search bait on an unfamiliar spot.

Floating or suspending: two different jobs

The classic 15A is a floater: at rest, it slowly rises toward the surface, which naturally suits a dynamic twitch-pause-twitch retrieve rather than a waiting game. A suspending version also exists for cold water or very wary fish, where a long pause without the lure rising often makes the difference — switch to it once the water drops below 10°C (50°F).

Depth: casting versus trolling

On a standard cast, the Long A runs around 1 m (3 ft), a depth that suits margins and shallow spots well. Trolled, its bill lets it reach roughly 1.8 m (6 ft) depending on how much line is out — a technique underused for pike but genuinely deadly for covering large search areas.

The twitch that gets bit

The go-to retrieve has three beats: a sharp rod snap to make the lure roll, a one-to-three-second pause, then repeat. Pause length depends on how active the fish are — the colder the water, the longer it should run. The strike comes almost always during that pause, never on the twitch itself.

Field rule: if you're setting the hook on the sound of the twitch, you're setting too early. Wait for the pause, feel the weight, then set the hook.

Not sure what to tie on?

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One season, one retrieve

• Early spring, post-spawn: long pauses, widely spaced twitches. Fish are recovering and want an easy meal, not a chase.
• Spring and summer: a faster cadence, one-second pauses, a retrieve that covers the spot quickly.
• Fall: back to a slower rhythm but with wider twitches — big fish are feeding up before winter, and a strong signal carries further.

Colour by water clarity

In clear water, a natural finish mimicking roach or perch is the safe bet: the Long A doesn't need extra flash, its roll does the attracting on its own. In stained water, switch to chartreuse or orange to keep a visible silhouette despite the reduced clarity.

Where another lure does the job better

The Long A stays a surface-to-mid-water lure: past 2 m (7 ft) it runs out of range, and a Sebile Magic Swimmer 128 or a shad on a weighted jighead will take over more effectively. Likewise, over heavy brush its exposed treble hooks snag fast — a Whopper Plopper working the surface above the obstacles instead of through them is the better call there.

A good jerkbait never does all the work alone — reading the spot decides which retrieve to use, and that's exactly what CarnaFish simplifies: it reads a photo of your spot and hands you a zone and a technique matched to the day's conditions. For more on picking lure families by season, see the full pike lure guide.

FAQ

How do you properly work a Bomber Long A?

A sharp rod snap to make it roll, a one-to-three-second pause depending on how active the fish are, then repeat. The strike comes almost always during the pause, not on the twitch.

Should you pick the floating or suspending Long A?

The floating version suits a dynamic retrieve in moderate water. The suspending version is better in cold water or on wary fish, when a long pause without the lure rising makes the difference.

Can you troll a Bomber Long A?

Yes, and it's an effective, underused technique: its bill lets it reach roughly 1.8 m (6 ft) depending on line length out, making it a good lure for covering large search areas.

How deep does the Bomber Long A run on a cast?

Around 1 m (3 ft), which suits margins and shallow spots well. To go deeper, switch to trolling or a different lure family entirely.

What colour Long A works best in stained water?

Chartreuse or orange: these tones keep a visible silhouette even in murky water, whereas a natural finish blends in too much to be spotted from a distance.

Does the Long A handle heavy cover well?

Not really — its exposed treble hooks snag easily in dense brush. Save it for open water or lightly covered margins, and reach for a topwater lure over thick vegetation instead.