Crankbait Bite

[airborne_angler]

I finally get it!! Been throwing Rapala DT cranks (6/10) recently and have caught and released my limit on 3 consecutive days.

Yesterday I had the strangest sensation.As I was retrieving I suddenly had slack line, I caught up with the slack line and then kept retrieving,shortly thereafter, I hooked up. Was the slack I encountered an attempt at the fish to grab the bait?

[PondBoss]

Sounds like you have experienced the epic quote "that one hit it so hard he knocked slack in the line" that's the coolest bite to get.  When they hit it like that reel up quick and set the hook.

[Blues19]

could have been a fish coming straight at you with the bait in its mouth

[airborne_angler]

Its really a cool sensation to have, other styles of bites I've gotten feel like the fish chomped at it, spit it out and then grabbed it again. I'm likin this crankbait bite. I swing on just about everything, lots of "weed"fish, that just tells me my bait is getting into the weeds so I gotta move a little deeper.Had one grab it right at the boat yesterday and about ripped the rod out of my hand because I wasn't expecting it.Although I love to watch em taildance, I've lost fish when they do that.Gotta watch out when lipping em to.Last second head shake can give you a hand full of trebles (don't ask me how I know)

[Marty]

Its really a cool sensation to have, other styles of bites I've gotten feel like the fish chomped at it, spit it out and then grabbed it again

 

Unfortunately, no underwater cameras to record the action, but I always thought this was a strike followed by the fish swimming toward you and then away from you as opposed to biting it, getting rid of it and biting again.

[airborne_angler]

Could be...I'm really pretty new to the crankbait bite...

[Koofy Smacker]

Thats exactly what that was. They chase is and then just keep coming to you. Theres no other physical way the bait can end up closer to you without you reeling in the line under tension without something carrying it!

[Nodda4me]

I finally get it!! Been throwing Rapala DT cranks (6/10) recently and have caught and released my limit on 3 consecutive days.

Yesterday I had the strangest sensation.As I was retrieving I suddenly had slack line, I caught up with the slack line and then kept retrieving,shortly thereafter, I hooked up. Was the slack I encountered an attempt at the fish to grab the bait?

Yup. This has happened to me while I was using a jig. When I finally realized what was happening, it was too late and had a failed hook set. I guess that's what they mean by pay close attention to your line and unfamiliar/awkward feelings means you got a fish.

[Rangerphil]

I remember seeing a video a long time ago from Doug Hannon and they were doing some underwater photography and there was a gentleman fishing near where they were at. They saw a huge bass come up and eat his spinnerbait and swim towards him before spitting it back out and the guy never knew!