Getting a Bass to Strike

Bass strike from three basic reasons. They are hungry. They strike out of reflex. They want to protect their territory. Here are ways to trigger those strikes.

• Hungry bass are aggressive and see something they want to eat. Show them most any lure with a reasonable presentation and you will likely get a strike. It does not happen often enough, so when you find them hungry, enjoy it.

• Reflex: It appears that when bass see something they strike at it before it gets away. They don't take time to think about it, it's just reflex or instinct. They have to strike quickly or the opportunity is gone. An example is a lure moving quickly past a bass' hiding place. The lure flashes by right over the log the bass is using for cover. If the bass does not strike immediately, the opportunity is lost. So they strike out of reflex or instinct. Lures to draw reflex strikes are often fast moving lures. Use erratic retrieves. Lures with more flash definitely get more of these type strikes.

• Anger: Suppose a lure with a lot of action is being shaken by the log the bass is using. The bass seems to think their territory is being invaded by something making so much commotion. This invader just keeps coming back and will not leave. It just stays there shaking. The only think the bass can do is grab the intruder and carry it away. Be ready to set the kook.

HOW TO TRIGGER A STRIKE

Some lures on some days may attract bass but not trigger a strike. There are no simple rules so you have to let the bass tell you what makes them strike on a given day. Experiment. If one presentation is not working, try something different.

Some days a plastic worm or lizard on a Carolina rig worked slowly is the best bass fishing to be found. Other days this just does not work. Maybe the bass are not actively feeding or they are not relating to the bottom. Some days bass seem to only look up.

Try a faster moving lure like a spinner bait run over the fish. Use an erratic retrieve. Make the bass react. The bass has to strike before this thing gets away. Keep these lures even with or just above the depth the bass are suspending.

Give the bass something that is just too easy to pass up. Tie on a spinner bait and let it fall erratically right in front of the bass' nose. Work the lure and then stop it and let it fall just as it passes bass holding cover. Often bass only follow a lure but not hit it. Stopping the lure and letting it fall often triggers a strike.

Try letting your crank bait or spinner bait pause for just a moment then start cranking again. This works very well just as the lure passes bass holding cover. If you cannot see the cover, just stop the lure every few turns of the reel. Often this pause triggers a strike.

KEEP YOUR LURE IN THE STRIKE ZONE!

The strike zone is the area where bass will strike your lure. Some days the strike zone is measured in yards and some days in inches. Many days the strike zone is only a few inches in front of the bass' nose. Here are some tips that will help you get more bass to the boat.

• A lure that passes two feet from a stump may not get noticed but a lure that bumps the stump may get a strike. Hit the cover with an accurate cast.

• When your lure hits the stump, stop it and let it fall. Shake it or twitch it. Give the lure some action while not moving it away from the cover.

• The strike zone may be at a certain depth range. From the front or back of the boat, cast your lure at an angle towards shore. As you retrieve the lure it will stay at that depth longer. If you cast directly at a bank, your lure may pass through that depth range too quickly.

• The strike zone may be only on the shaded side of the stump. Cast your lure into the shade.

• Some days the strike zone is at or just above the bass' depth. A bottom bouncing lure just does not work. Use a lure that runs at or just above the bass' depth. If bass are feeding on shad, they often only seem to look ahead or up.

• On days when bass are not active the strike zone may be only a matter of inches in front of a bass' nose. A fast moving lure a foot in front of a bass may go by without a strike. Try to locate the cover bass are using and work it very tight and very slowly. Flip or pitch your lure within inches of the cover and then just shake it without moving it away.

• Check for current, even wind current. Bass will orient themselves into the current waiting for the bait fish to come to them. Working your lure with the current or wind may get a strike.