Owner Rip'n Minnow 65 Suspending Jerkbait

The Owner Rip'n Minnow 65 is a compact, high-detail suspending jerkbait built to trigger bass that won't commit. At 2.5" and 1/4 oz, it sits perfectly in the strike zone on every pause — and with living eyes, internal rattles, and a reflective foil finish, it looks and sounds like the real thing on the way down. This is the bait you reach for when the water is cold, clear, and the fish are tight-lipped.

Stays Down. Stays Deadly.

Most jerkbaits float up on the pause — and that's exactly when a bass turns away. The Rip'n Minnow 65 suspends neutrally, hanging in place at 3–4 ft while the fish decides. Pair it with 6–8 lb fluorocarbon and it dives a touch deeper, tracks more true, and draws more bites from fish that have seen everything else. Rigged with Owner Stinger 31 cutting point trebles that are sharp enough to stick on the lightest pressure.

When Standard Crankbaits Come Up Empty

In cold water or post-front conditions, bass go neutral — they follow baits but don't commit. A floating jerkbait rises away during the pause; a sinking jerkbait drops out of the zone. The Rip'n Minnow 65 hangs right where the fish is sitting, giving it all the time it needs to decide. That pause is often the difference between a swing and a miss and a fish in the net.

What Sets It Apart

• Suspending Buoyancy — Neutral suspension holds at 3–4 ft on the pause; doesn't float up or sink away
• Living Eyes — Realistic, high-contrast eyes add depth and trigger reaction strikes
• Internal Rattles — Sound chamber calls fish from a distance in stained or low-visibility water
• Reflective Foil Finish — Multi-angle flash mimics a disoriented baitfish on the pause
• Owner Stinger 31 Trebles — Thin-wire cutting point hooks; extremely sharp, ideal for light-biting fish
• Fluorocarbon-Friendly Design — Dives slightly deeper and suspends more true on fluoro vs. mono

The Right Pick If…

• You're fishing clear water where fish can see every detail of the bait
• Water temps are below 55°F and fish are sluggish or neutral
• You need a smaller profile to match finesse forage like small shad or fry
• Fish are following your larger jerkbaits but not committing
• You want a jerkbait that works on both a jerk-pause cadence and a straight retrieve

Best Fishing Techniques

• Jerk-pause-pause — Two sharp twitches followed by a 3–5 second pause; let the suspending action do the work
• Steady retrieve — Dives to 3–4 ft and wobbles; effective when bass are actively feeding
• Long pause dead-stick — In very cold water (sub-50°F), hold for 10+ seconds; neutral fish can't resist a stationary target
• Twitch over shallow cover — Work over submerged grass edges, dock posts, and laydowns at the 3–4 ft range

Best Conditions

• Cold water (fall through early spring) — suspending action is most effective when fish metabolism is low
• Clear water — living eyes and foil finish are most visible; fish can pick out detail at range
• Post-front bluebird days — neutral fish need the pause to commit
• Shallow to mid-depth structure in the 3–6 ft range

Best For

• Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass
• Spotted Bass (Kentucky Bass)
• Trout in reservoirs and tailwaters
• Walleye on slow jerk-pause presentations
• Any situation requiring a small, realistic suspending profile

Models & Specs

Specs are loaded dynamically from product metafields. Rip'n Minnow 65: 2.5" length, 1/4 oz, suspending, dives 3–4 ft. Available colors: Baby Bass, Rainbow Ghost, Shiner, Golden Shiner, Perch, Pink Passion.

Tackle Express Tips

• Go fluoro. 6–8 lb fluorocarbon is the right pairing — it sinks slightly, helping the bait suspend more true and dive a touch deeper than mono. It's also nearly invisible in clear water where this bait shines.
• Handle the hooks carefully. The Stinger 31 trebles are thin-wire by design — that's what makes them so sharp and effective on light-biting fish. Use needle-nose pliers or a dehooker at the boat; don't bend them trying to free a deeply hooked fish.
• Slow your pause down in cold water. Most anglers don't pause long enough. In water below 50°F, count to 10 after each twitch. Bass in cold water need time — make the bait wait for them.

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between suspending and floating jerkbaits?
A: A floating jerkbait rises toward the surface on the pause, pulling it out of the strike zone. A suspending jerkbait like the Rip'n Minnow 65 holds its depth, giving neutral fish the time they need to commit without the bait moving away from them.

Q: Can I use this bait on braid or mono?
A: Yes, but fluorocarbon is strongly recommended. Mono floats and will cause the bait to rise slightly on the pause. Braid has near-zero stretch, which can pull the hooks on light-biting fish. Fluoro gives the best suspend, the best feel, and the best hook retention.

Q: The hooks seem fragile — is that normal?
A: Yes, and intentional. Thin-wire hooks flex slightly, which prevents the fish from using the hook as a lever to throw the bait. They're not designed for heavy-cover flipping — they're designed for open-water jerkbait fishing where that flex is an advantage. Use a net whenever possible.