Glide Bait Retrieves A 3-Step Approach to Success by John Liechty, Page 2

Glide Bait Retrieves A 3-Step Approach to Success by John Liechty, Page 2

Spring 2023

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Sometimes a subtle sneak into the water is beneficial, and other times, a louder slap will draw fish in the direction of your bait. Avoid the kerplunk sound, as it is just not a natural sound that they are accustomed to hearing.

Once the lure makes contact with the water, the next few movements are incredibly important. From my experience, the bait should immediately begin the first glide. I want it to be a seamless entry to the swimming presentation. This will replicate the behavior of a feeding prey fish or a fleeing prey fish. Either way, it will tempt a nearby predator.

After a glide or two, I will incorporate a twitch or twitch-twitch pause (either with the rod or reel). This

is when the fish is most likely to commit in this stage of the retrieve.

PART TWO

If we fail to

garnish a strike in

the first part of our

retrieve, we begin our

next step. Which is

the hypnotize or lull

portion of our retrieve.

I will fall into a glide,

glide, glide…. trance,

occasionally changing

speed without any

abrupt break in the

action.

This is where

we are most likely to attract followers. It’s unusually eight to 12 cranks of the handle depending on the lure and reel speed. Then, when the bait is approximately halfway back to the boat, we incorporate another twitch, snap, or burn pause.

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