The fast retrieve keeps the bass from scrutinizing the lure, and, if the bass are on the hunt, a quick retrieve will often arouse their predatory instincts. An increase in speed can, and will, trigger strikes from stripers feeding in crystal clear water. Over the next hour, speedily retrieving the lure produced three more bass of similar size. After a few minutes, a hefty, 36-inch striped bass laid at my feet on the beach. As a school pushed past me, I finally had an albie – or so I thought – explode on my popper.Īs the fish thrashed for a moment, I soon realized I had not hooked my original quarry. The trick was to retrieve these lures as fast as possible.
During that last week in September, false albacore consistently invaded the surf, and once a school of these speedsters were within casting range, all fishermen on the scene would start throwing metal or small Polaris-style poppers. One outing, almost 25 years ago, gave me some insight into the effectiveness of speed. Under these conditions, a simple increase in retrieve speed may be all that is needed to trigger a solid strike.
Have you ever had a striper smack your plug as you hurriedly reeled in the last ten yards of your retrieve to make another cast? Or has a bass continually boiled, bumped, or rolled behind your offering without grabbing it? Oftentimes these things occur when the water is crystal clear and the surf is fairly calm. Under these conditions, my observations suggest that the fish are either seeing too much of a lure, or not enough of it. In addition, the water is usually either very clear or very off-colored, and baitfish schools are nearby. On most occasions, when stripers are being extremely finicky, their feeding activity is taking place right near the surface. I’ve had my share of disappointing outings, however, over the years, I’ve honed a few techniques that often convert that frustration into success. Every year I hear of instances where schools of bass refused to hit anything thrown at them.