How To Detect Strikes On A Slack Line?

[mathnerdm]

So I just recently have been getting into soft plastics, and one of the first questions I've had is, how do you detect strikes with a slack line? When I fish spinnerbait or crankbait for example, it's fairly obvious most of the time when you hook up with something, how can I tell when fishing a soft plastic like a senko? I just picked up a pack of GY Senkos and did what most agree on as the best way to fish them, T-rigged and just let them sink on a slack line after casting it. But as I sat there, I started thinking, how the heck do I know if something takes it? Do I just have to be a line watcher? Or can you feel it even if it's on a slack line? Also how do you line watch if the sun reflecting off the water is hurting the view of your line? I'm sure this has been asked countless times, so please by all means reference me where to go. I remember watching a bassresourcevideo on what a bite feels like, but I don't think that was intended to be on a slack line. Thanks! 

[Brian Needham]

. I remember watching a bassresource video on what a bite feels like, but I don't think that was intended to be on a slack line. Thanks! 

 

that is exactly what it feels like on a slack line, a nice thump.......or tick.

you can watch you line sometimes you will see it.....sometimes you will feel it...... other times you just "know"

[F14A-B]

Use a clear blue fluorescent line... With a semi slack line.... You may not feel a pick up...

The line will start to become straight, with tension

Or it may move to the left, right or come straight at you... It's kinda hard to explain ... I learned in the late 70's I haven't had to think about it much

Hang with it.... You will get bit... And each time will be a little different ... It's a fun learning process! Enjoy you're self! Happy fishing!!

[Scott F]

You have to watch the line. I use braid that floats. It is tougher when the sun or wind makes it hard to see the line but when a fish picks up the bait, the floating line will "twitch". As long as you don't have too much slack in the line setting the hook is easy. I fish rivers with senkos and I watch the line as the bait drifts down stream. Seeing the line twitch is about the only way to detect the bite.

[nascar2428]

I'm a line watcher 100% of the time when throwing weightless Senkos. I switched to yellow braid this year for that very reason. Often times the fish will just open its mouth and suck the bait in without you feeling anything, but the line will jump or start moving. 

[Smokinal]

All above is good info. Are you using a spinning setup or baitcaster? If you use baitcasters, try holding the rod so the line can run over your index finger. I use braid and even on semi-slack line, you can still feel the tick when the bait is inhaled. And speaking of semi-slack, this typically works better than a full slack line. And the line-over-the-finger trick is quite difficult with a spinning rod.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Line watch for tics or tension in the line either left or right. A lot on my wacky rigs , jigs when I'm fishing deep water and Texas rigged worms. At night it's hard but I'm always hand lining at night

[5fishlimit]

Like others have stated.... watch the line.

You may at times feel the tick, but more times than not it's almost unnoticeable.

Good luck. Its not the most exciting way to fish, but it works.

The senko is to bass what a candy bar is to people.

[michang5]

Watch the line. Getting high-viz yellow braid makes it easier. You might feel the tick/thump or might not, but you will usually see your line do something it's not supposed to.

[aavery2]

For me it is as simple as using a good quality FC line.  FC line will transmit vibration on slack line, and as others have mentioned watch your line, it is another good means of determining if a fish grabbed your bait on the fall.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't watch line, can't see it in the dark and when it's light out my eyes are always panning the water for my next cast.  I find it beneficial not to watch my lure too much, keeps me from setting the hook too early.

I do my best not to be in a crosswind, I keep my rod low to the water and out of the wind as much as possible.  I may add some weight or a heavier jig to help keep the line straighter.  

[Catt]

The art of feeling a worm bite is a fine combination of watching your line & feeling for unnatural sensations of what your lure shouldn't feel like. Some times you will feel that ckassic "tap", some times you'll only see line movement, some times your line will simply go slack, but some times there will only be a feeling of heaviness that is almost like your lure will not move

Feeling a worm or jig bite requires keeping a certain amount of tension on your line while at the same time keeping a certain amount of slackness in your line. To the average angler this makes no sense at all but to the worm/jig angler it makes total sense.

[WRB]

Watching you line is only a part of the puzzle to knowing exactly what is going on with under soft plastics or jigs. Detecting strikes from slow moving lures that you can't see on slack line that you can't feel and hoping to see the line move makes for a lot of missing strikes.

You need to concentrate on everything and a good way to learn is fish at night. You can't see your line well so you must feel your line for movement and any slight change in pressure on the line. The classic tick doesn't always occur, a change in the resistance the lure creates going through the water does occur. If you are keeping in contact with you lure all the time you can detect strikes when you feel the lure getting heavier, lighter, can't feel anything, like it was cut off, is called weighing the lure. These changes is weight or pressure on the line happen when you go through grass, up and over obstacles like branches or rocks and when bass engulf you lure. How to know the difference can only be learned by time on the water and setting the hook; swings are free, so when in doubt set the hook.

Keep this thought in mind, we are all learning and will continue to experience missed strikes, they get fewer with practice.

Tom

[Catt]

When asked what a bite felt like Denny Brauer replied "I don't know but I know what it doesn't fell like!".

When in doubt, drop the rod, reel the slack, & set the hook!

[mathnerdm]

Watching you line is only a part of the puzzle to knowing exactly what is going on with under soft plastics or jigs. Detecting strikes from slow moving lures that you can't see on slack line that you can't feel and hoping to see the line move makes for a lot of missing strikes.

You need to concentrate on everything and a good way to learn is fish at night. You can't see your line well so you must feel your line for movement and any slight change in pressure on the line. The classic tick doesn't always occur, a change in the resistance the lure creates going through the water does occur. If you are keeping in contact with you lure all the time you can detect strikes when you feel the lure getting heavier, lighter, can't feel anything, like it was cut off, is called weighing the lure. These changes is weight or pressure on the line happen when you go through grass, up and over obstacles like branches or rocks and when bass engulf you lure. How to know the difference can only be learned by time on the water and setting the hook; swings are free, so when in doubt set the hook.

Keep this thought in mind, we are all learning and will continue to experience missed strikes, they get fewer with practice.

Tom

Thanks for the info, but does that apply to senkos? Typically the way I fish them is cast them out then just let em sink on slack line then just lift it off the bottom a few times then re cast. When I'm doing that I won't feel any different tension unless the fish is actually swimming away with it will I? So then all I can do is watch the line and feel for the different ticks and such?

[mathnerdm]

Watching you line is only a part of the puzzle to knowing exactly what is going on with under soft plastics or jigs. Detecting strikes from slow moving lures that you can't see on slack line that you can't feel and hoping to see the line move makes for a lot of missing strikes.

You need to concentrate on everything and a good way to learn is fish at night. You can't see your line well so you must feel your line for movement and any slight change in pressure on the line. The classic tick doesn't always occur, a change in the resistance the lure creates going through the water does occur. If you are keeping in contact with you lure all the time you can detect strikes when you feel the lure getting heavier, lighter, can't feel anything, like it was cut off, is called weighing the lure. These changes is weight or pressure on the line happen when you go through grass, up and over obstacles like branches or rocks and when bass engulf you lure. How to know the difference can only be learned by time on the water and setting the hook; swings are free, so when in doubt set the hook.

Keep this thought in mind, we are all learning and will continue to experience missed strikes, they get fewer with practice.

Tom

Thanks for the info, but does that apply to senkos? Typically the way I fish them is cast them out then just let em sink on slack line then just lift it off the bottom a few times then re cast. When I'm doing that I won't feel any different tension unless the fish is actually swimming away with it will I? So then all I can do is watch the line and feel for the different ticks and such?

[WRB]

Controlling the fall rate means knowing how long it takes for a Senko or another soft plastic and jigs to reach bottom. If you can't determine when your lure hits bottom, you need to learn that, otherwise bass may engulf and swallow the lure or split it out after striking it and you will not know it, unless the bass swims away with the lure in it's mouth. When you make the cast don't add extra slack into the line. The difference between controlled slack and uncontrolled slack is you can feel light tension or see the line sinking as it cuts a V in the water, the V is your strike indicator and tells you when the lure stopped sinking by the controlled bow in the line between your rod tip and where the line enters the water. When the lure stops sinking the tension on the line decreases instantly and with practice you can feel the slight pressure change and if the water fairly flat with little wind you can see the bow in the in jump slack. If you know how deep your are fishing and know how long it normally takes to fall that depth, you will have a good ideal it's the bottom or a bass has the lure in it's mouth....set the hook!

My hook setting technique for casting jigs or worms long distance is cranking the reel fast while pointing the rod tip at the spot I am watching the line (V) enter the water, I feel the tension change instantly, the line loads up, the hook point sticks the basses mouth and then my firm rod sweep sets the hook. If no bass was there, I don't sweep the rod back and continue the retrieve still in control of the line slack and jig or worm. If the casting distance is short, I just snap set the hook with my rod.

Tom

[fishva]

I let the line run over the index finger of my non-reel hand. You will notice very slight ticks (changes in pressure) that you may not feel through your rod or detect by watching your line.

 

Of course, watching your line is also important. Keep your eye on the spot where the line meets the water. Set your hook on any irregular movement.

 

Last, count down! If you cast a spot once and it takes 10 seconds to hit the bottom, then the next time it takes 5...you haven't hit the bottom, your bait is in the mouth of a sneaky little fish.

[Balshy Fishing]

Well I went to my other good spot and the water was WAY up, it was crazy. A bunch of fish, assuming carp, were surfacing and making quite a splash

[OK Bass Hunter]

I watch for anything out of the ordinary, whether it moving off in a different direction or a complete stop in the fall of the lure.

[Pz3]

Keep the line semi slack. Meaning its not tight but you will still feel the hits.

Its easier said then done but completely worth it.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Semi slack is the slackest I'll go. I can't do full slack. Even on drop shots and top water. Just feel better knowing I have some control. I watch the fish take the line only for a second or two then set the hook.

[gallowaypt]

Based on advice gleaned here, I Always keep a finger on the line, whether fishing spinning gear or casting. I mainly fish weightless soft plastics, and my bite detection has improved tremendously since doing this. Oh, and florocarbon doesn't hurt either.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I've tried keeping a finger on the line when the lure is on or near the bottom too. What should I be looking for with that?

[Pz3]

With finger on the line you can feel much more. Sometimes fish pick them up and only move an inch. The bait is usually Fully in their mouth to. Sneaky fish sometimes.