GLUE IT TO ® THE
Fall 2021
zstornikee
By John Liechty
page 28
When you think bass fishing, the idea of cast and retrieve, cast and retrieve and repeat process might come to mind.
T
he casting part is simple enough, however the
retrieve and cadence in which you do so can be
varied in more ways than imaginable. And in fact, is most likely the most important part of this two-part
equation.
Being a guide in the California Mother Lode, I have the
fortune of not only making an insane number of casts each
year but witnessing others doing so as well. From giant
swimbaits to tiny finesse rigs, we do it all. And in each and
every different technique the separation between catching
a few fish, and catching a lot, leans heavily on the later step,
the retrieve.
Yes, the timing, angle, accuracy, and approach is equally crucial. However, being able to present an offering in a tantalizing manner will get bit more often and can be the defining factor for one’s success.
SO HOW DO WE INCREASE OUR ODDS AND EFFICIENCY?
One technique and thought process I continually implement, is “gluing the bait to the strike zone”.
I’m not talking about dead-sticking or fishing painful slow. I’m talking about applying charm, patience, calculated moves, and a high level of focus to the portion of each retrieve that is most likely to get struck.
Sometimes it’s the first few seconds after the splash down and other times its halfway back to the boat. But understanding when to incorporate an additional shake, zigzag, speed up, slow down or