The Jackson Athlete 17SSV with the Vortex Generator enables amazing casting distance. Long Minnows require a certain technique to cast well due to their length and not be aerodynamic and many longer minnows are difficult to cast long distance with stability. One of the biggest reasons for the casting difficulty is the shaking movement of the body through the air which generates extra air resistance, which reduces casting distance. The Athlete 17SSV has the vortex generator on its lip, which can mitigate air resistance and reduce body shake, giving the Athlete stability in the air and in turn longer casting distances consistently. The average casting distance has been tested completely and found that a lure with the vortex generator increases casting distance by over 10%.

The Athlete also has a sharp darting action that is well known from the Athlete series and also a wobbling and rolling action with slower retrieves, allowing the angler to trigger reaction bites by jerking when required.