Shimano MD Loud Jerk 120S: A Jerkbait That Runs a Metre Deeper for Spanish Mackerel

Shimano’s Loud Jerk 120S now has a deeper-running sibling: the MD Loud Jerk 120S, released September 2026.

The original, released in January 2025, was a very distinctive jerkbait: eleven ball weights giving both erratic action and a “maraca” sound. The MD is built to work the layer below it. This article focuses on how it differs from the original and how to use the two together.

Note: I have not handled one yet. This is based on Shimano’s official information and published specs.

Specification

vs the original Loud Jerk 120S

In a word: a bigger lip that takes it about a metre deeper.

Same size, price and hooks; only the lip and 1 g of weight change. Think of it as the same lure, tuned to swim deeper.

What has not changed – the Loud Jerk’s strengths

Eleven ball weights

Most lures have one to a few moving weights. The Loud Jerk carries eleven small balls. The weight distribution changes with every jerk as the balls roll unpredictably, so it darts in a different direction each time. The developer’s aim was “a different action every time” – getting fish that have learned regular movements to bite something unpredictable.

Maraca sound

The eleven rolling balls produce a maraca-like rattle, drawing fish with sound as well as action.

Through-wire

Through-wire construction is usually considered bad for darting action, but Shimano used it anyway – so a big fish cannot break the body and pull the hooks free. For a lure aimed at Spanish mackerel and big pelagics, that is no compromise.

Using the two together

Shimano’s pro testers put it this way: the MD for slightly deeper water, the original for casting at surface boils.

It should be especially effective right after a boil stops. Fish chasing on top sink a little when the boil ends; keep throwing the original and it passes over their heads, but the MD reaches their layer. If bait is being chased but the surface is quiet, the fish are below. (See matching the bait.)

Can you use it from shore?

Honestly: Shimano classifies it as offshore casting – mainly a boat lure. Development focused on inshore boat use, but it is intended for both, so casting it from breakwaters, rocks or beaches is fine. The issue is distance: the developer says action took priority over distance, and 19 g is light for a shore pelagic lure.

To reach distant boils from a beach, jigs or heavy sinking pencils such as the Hikage 125S suit better. The MD Loud Jerk is for getting bites with action when fish are within range.

How to fish it

• One-pitch jerk-based – continuous jerks, with occasional pauses or speed changes.
• Light jerks plus straight retrieve – a few light jerks, then a steady wind, as a search bait.

With the MD, the key should be letting it sink properly after landing before working it – to use that 3 m depth, get down to the target layer before you start.

Made for autumn Spanish mackerel

The Loud Jerk’s main targets are Spanish mackerel, seabass and big pelagics, and autumn is Spanish mackerel season. Watch the teeth: they cut line instantly, so use a heavier leader (see Spanish mackerel from the shore). With three #4 trebles, landing needs care too – sharp teeth plus three trebles will hurt you. Secure the fish with a grip before unhooking.

Colours

• Clear water, daylight: half-mirror types, Sunny Mirror K.
• Stained water, overcast: Edge Pearl Gold, Matt Chart Gradation.
• Dawn, low light: glow and chartreuse.
• Gizzard shad pattern: SK Konoshiro.

Summary

• MD Loud Jerk 120S: September 2026, 120 mm / 19 g, 2,400 yen.
• Enlarged lip takes it from about 1.5 m to about 3 m.
• Eleven ball weights, maraca sound and through-wire unchanged.
• Original for surface boils; MD for the layer below.
• Mainly a boat lure; castable from shore, but action over distance.
• Perfect for autumn Spanish mackerel – mind the teeth and three trebles.

If you own the original, the MD’s value is obvious: when the original stops working, you can search one layer down with the same action. Impressions to follow once I have used one.

Read next

• Spanish mackerel (sawara) from the shore
• Shimano Hikage 125S
• Megabass Dog MAX SW
• Daiwa Saltiga Blade Jig SS
• Match the bait

MINAGIMAN

JAPAN ANGLER

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Born in 1994. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, I moved to Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture in search of the sea. I am an Enshunada surf angler who enjoys surf fishing. I am also active on YouTube, and my fishing grounds range from Irago to Iwata.