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Spring 2023
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At this moment, we are forcing a decision upon the fish. We are telling them, “Eat it or not”? If the rod doesn’t fold over at this point, it is on to the third and final part.
PART THREE
We must always think that during part one or part two, we have attracted some interest. And we have one last shot at converting an undecided fish into a taker.
Now our lure is now getting closer to the boat, and we should be able to see it under most conditions. This is when we begin to look all around the lure for dark shadows that are tracking – followers. Observing the mannerisms of the fish, we will again vary speeds and actions to try to close the gap (the space between lure and fish).
Once a curious follower is within striking distance, we execute our twitch or snap and prepare for a bite. At the end of the twitch or snap, I believe gliding the bait towards the fish triggers an instinct and gets bit more often than gliding it away. We refer to it as “picking a fight.”
Followers are some of the trickiest to get to commit. However, with the right series of motions, it can be accomplished. And the best part is we have front-row seats to the action.
TIPS
As I mentioned above speed and cadence are very important. But another very crucial aspect of glide bait fishing is the length of each glide and the amount of “hang time” you incorporate.
What is “hang time”?
It is the last portion of each individual glide where the bait almost comes to a stop before turning back in the opposite direction. The lure will suspend and have a tapering end to that specific glide. It is an extremely tempting look and will give you just a few seconds longer on each retrieve to draw fish out. However, I have found that stopping the lure is not a desired presentation, so managing the hangtime properly will take some practice.
CONCLUSION
Anytime you are using a larger-than-average bait. You have the chance to gain the attention of the biggest bass that occupies that body of water. They can be used as a tool not only to land giant bass but also to locate them. They do come in all shapes and sizes, but as a rule of thumb – match the hatch for the body of water you have chosen to fish. With enough practice, the right angle, a good cast, and…… a well-thought-out retrieve, you are sure to find success when fishing a glide bait. •