A Hot Swappable
Jerkbait - The Baitsanity Explorer BCS 120
(continued)

Operation:
The Baitsanity
Explorer Jerkbait
BCS 120 shares the
familiar profile of
most jerkbaits,
featuring a long,
slender,
minnow-shaped body.
However, unlike
Baitsanity’s
swimbaits and
Simplebait
hardbaits, it
forgoes the brand’s
signature “frown”
design, making it
the least
recognizable lure in
their lineup.
Despite this, the
series still
incorporates several
of the company’s
hallmark features,
including its
signature finishes
and popular
colorways, such as
the fan-favorite
Bread.

The bait features
quality hardware
including BKK treble
hooks
Each BCS 120 comes
equipped with
razor-sharp BKK
treble hooks,
eliminating the need
for upgrades right
out of the package.
As an added bonus,
Baitsanity includes
treble hook safety
caps and a
C-Connector carrying
case to help
organize and manage
the interchangeable
modules.
What sets the BCS
120 apart is its
interchangeable
C-Connector modules,
which make the bait
incredibly
versatile. Using
Baitsanity’s
patented Bait
Connect System,
anglers can
effortlessly adjust
the jerkbait’s
behavior—transforming
it from floating to
suspending, sinking,
or even fast-sinking
- in a matter of
seconds. This
innovative system
allows for quick
customization,
ensuring the bait
can adapt to a
variety of
conditions and
presentations.

A look at the empty
chamber, ready to
accept a C-Connector
When I first started
fishing the
Baitsanity Explorer
Jerkbait, I
questioned why the
module system was
designed to insert
from the bottom of
the bait, as this
brings anglers
uncomfortably close
to the sticky BKK
hooks. However, I
quickly discovered
that the BaitConnect
System has been
optimized for this
jerkbait, making
module insertions
and removals
smoother than the
tail system found on
some of the
company’s swimbaits.

C-Connectors are
loaded through the
belly of the
Baitsanity Jerkbait
The BCS system is
straightforward - it
simply requires
light pressure to
lock, deploy, and
remove the modules.
The best way to
insert a module is
to flip the jerkbait
over, effectively
making the bottom
the top, which
allows the hooks to
fall to the side for
seamless insertion.
To remove a module,
I found that
pressing down on the
connector from the
top provides just
enough force to
wedge it free and
eject it without
hassle.

I later found the
easiest way to load
the modules is to
flip the bait over.
You can just press
on the C-Connector
from the top to pop
out the module
Effectively fishing
the BCS 120 does
involve a steeper
learning curve
compared to
traditional
jerkbaits, where you
simply tie on, cast,
and adjust your
retrieve. Each
C-Module
configuration
affects the bait’s
action and cadence
differently,
requiring some
experimentation to
truly dial in your
preferred
presentation. I
found most modules
intuitive to fish,
with the exception
of the heaviest,
which demanded a bit
more finesse and
attention.

The ability to alter
depths proved deadly
for targeting fish
in changing
conditions
The fast-sinking
module is
particularly unique.
It gets the bait
down quickly but can
make it harder to
detect what is
happening at the end
of your line. The
faster sink rates
also dramatically
change the
presentation when
the bait is at rest.
It was not until I
paired the BCS 120
with my Garmin
LiveScope that I
fully understood its
potential. By using
LiveScope, I could
experiment with
different
approaches, such as
casting past fish
and working the bait
back toward them or
casting nearby and
allowing the bait to
shimmy down like a
wounded minnow- a
deadly technique for
triggering strikes.

When the tides
changes we were able
to keep fishing
working patterns by
simply changing
modules to stay
above the vegetation
and in the strike
zone
While targeting
California Delta
stripers with Fahad,
we put the BCS
Jerkbait’s
versatility to the
test as a large
tidal swing
drastically changed
the fishing
conditions. Just a
couple of hours
earlier, we were
successfully
catching fish using
the C2 suspending
module, but as the
tide shifted and the
productive areas
grew shallower, our
casts began to snag
on vegetation.
Without retying,
Fahad swapped out
the C-Connector for
the C1 floating
module, allowing the
bait to run
shallower and glide
over the vegetation.
Within just a few
casts, he began
drawing followers
again and converted
a few quality fish
on each drift. The
only variable that
changed was the
module, and it was
fascinating to see
how the same pattern
continued to produce
followers and
strikes simply by
adjusting the bait’s
running depth to
keep it in the
fish’s strike zone.

Fahad lands a few
solid fish by
adapting the
Jerkbait quickly
with the C1 floating
module
One important factor
to consider is that
water temperature
can slightly affect
the bait’s float or
sink rates.
Baitsanity likely
tested and rated
these baits around
55-degree water
temps, and for the
most part, I found
their ratings
accurate from spring
through fall.
However, during the
colder winter
months, I noticed
the baits would sink
faster. This is due
to colder water
being denser than
warmer water, which
causes this
jerkbait, and most
lures, to sink more
quickly. The
takeaway? You may
need to adjust your
retrieve speed and
cadence during
colder conditions to
account for changes
in buoyancy and
ensure the bait
achieves your
desired action.
The ability to tune
the Baitsanity
Explorer Jerkbait
BCS 120 makes it an
exceptional hardbait
for target fishing.
Its versatility in
adapting retrieves
based on structure
and the fish's
position in the
water column gives
the BCS 120 a
precision,
sniper-like quality.
Paired with live
sonar, the bait
becomes even more
effective, allowing
anglers to quickly
adjust sink rates
and presentations to
trigger strikes.

Once you learn how
each C-Connector
impacts the jerkbait
you can adapt
quickly and maximize
the BCS's potential
So, how effective is
the BCS 120 for the
everyday angler? It
can be deadly
effective, helping
anglers become more
efficient by
reducing the need
for frequent re-ties
while maximizing
adaptability. The
key to success lies
in understanding how
each C-Module
impacts the bait’s
action and knowing
when to use each one
to keep your
presentation in the
strike zone longer.
If you put in the
time to experiment
and master these
modules, the BCS 120
can be not only
deadly but also the
most versatile
jerkbait in your
arsenal.

With the fixed
weighting position
the one area that
this bait falls
short of some other
jerkbaits is casting
distance, and
ability to shoot
smoothly through
wind
That said, there is
one area where the
Baitsanity Jerkbait
could be improved:
casting distance,
particularly in
windy conditions.
Due to its
mid-weighted modular
design and lack of
an internal
weight-transfer
system, the bait
doesn’t carry as
much tail weight
during the cast.
This limits its
ability to launch as
far as jerkbaits
equipped with a
shifting weight
system. In windy
conditions, the BCS
120 can struggle
more than competing
baits, and can
tumble mid-flight,
which does reduce
some accuracy and
range. As a result,
while the BCS 120
excels at pinpoint
target fishing, it’s
less effective as a
horizontal search
bait for covering
large expanses of
water. However, it
shines as a vertical
search bait, where
its depth-adjustable
system allows
anglers to
effectively target
fish by fishing
shallower or deeper
than traditional
jerkbaits.

Holes and slots in
the bait help
displace more water
and create churn and
vibration
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