Texas Rig Head Scratcher

[Slade House]

So this has happened to me a few times.  Im pictching or working a shoreline sometimes with grass, or a point , etc.  I'm fishing a Texas Rigged D-Bomb , with a 5/16 tungsten weight.  So I cast out , do my thing, and then when i'm reeling the thing back to the boat i get slammed by a 5lber.  its happened to me about 3 times , and it has also happened to me when ive been reeling back in a drop shot.  So in my mind, im like hmm.  i should get a strike king rage blade or maybe a swim jig and try using that instead. I did that, but that hasn't worked.  Each time this has happened to me , the fish is always over 4lbs.  so what to do?

[bcarter261]

Set the hook and take pics

[kickerfish1]

A bait moving at a "normal clip" and then all of a sudden "moving fast" creates the illusion of prey fleeing. A fish has a moments notice to attack it before it gets away. Essentially it triggers their natural instints as a predator.

Doing what you did wont always work nor will it always result in bigger fish. It may have been the right presentation for that given day and time. On the contrary some of my best fish have came while the bait was at rest and sitting for 10-15 seconds. I fish my jigs like this during this time of year through ice up.

[F14A-B]

I can say this, I love when that happens, just roll with it.

[Oregon Native]

Smallies are really good at this.....

[RAMBLER]

Keep doing it.  You found a pattern that works.  If the fish hit on something, why change?  Don't argue with success.

[Catch and Grease]

I don't see the problem??

[gulfcaptain]

You like the D-Bomb, put it on a SK structure swing head or Biffle head (any swing football jighead) and slow drag/wind it keeping bottom contact.  Started using this approach in certain lake/ponds I fish that have heavy pressured fish and not a lot of structure.  Works great and gives the fish a new look as well as being able to stop and fish points of interest and still have it weedless but also cover water like a crankbait.

[ChrisAW]

This is why I always swim my jig or texas rig or whatever I'm fishing back to the boat. Pitch it out, hop jig or shake it a bit. No hit? Swim it back.

Basically the only time I don't swim it back is if there is something in the way, like heavy matted vegetation or I pitched it over a section of dock or what have you.

[Lund Explorer]

Be happy that they don't have teeth.

 

Around here, you either get bit off or get slimed when you get that hammer handle in the boat.

 

My guess is that these fish are attracted to your T-Rig as it drops to bottom, and then are triggered to hit when it quickly lifts off.  Good pattern if you can repeat it on a consistent basis. 

[Raul]

Do it again, now this time a liitle bit slower.

[Bankbeater]

I like to pitch into cover and then hop it or drag it out slow.  If I don't get bites I slow roll it back in like a spinnerbait.

[ClackerBuzz]

do it sooner next time.

i just posted some advice i got from a lake trout fisherman.  how many times have you been lifting ur lure out of the water and a bass smashed it. or he saw the boat first and it spooked him off. the lift/ changed angle of the lure is like a baitfish busting the surface.  so he purposefully lifts his rod 50 ft before he's at the boat to instigate a strike.  it's worked so many times that I've added it to my toolbox.   

[Smokinal]

Keep doing it.  You found a pattern that works.  If the fish hit on something, why change?  Don't argue with success.

Dude! What are you talking about? I was out one rainy day with a t-rigged worm, getting a few bites when I got slammed reeling it back in for another cast. I cast out again, no hit on the bottom so started reeling and BAM, another one. I put 2+2 together and just swam the worm the rest of the day and just jacked em. The last thing I would have done is thought about changing baits! Why in the world would you change anything? Just swim the D-Bomb.

[WRB]

The D-bomb is basically a beaver bait, baitfish profile depending on the colors when T-rigged. The bass are reacting an escaping baitfish, so fish it faster or put it on a Scrounger head and swim it.

Tom