Sixth Sense

[Catch 22]

I fish hard jerks a lot in the winter, about 60% of the time. The obvious strikes  are a no brainer. But many times I just set the hook with out any real sign that I need to do so,and it is fish on.I fished today  and the wind  and cold were brutal, however tree times, I felt the need to set and bass were on.The line had about a 2' to 3 ' arc with  lots of boat movement,yet I knew? I don`t watch line nearly as much  as the past,its mostly touch.

I use 15# braid w/ 12 # floro leader on  moderately priced rods that don`t offer an overwhelming advantage imo.

 

Does anyone else manage to catch bass under these mysterious conditions.Some time do you just know.

C22

[reelnmn]

As you use a technique more and more, I think you can develop the sense you are describing.  For me it's on the drop shot.  One local lake smallies take the bait incredibly lightly.  Describing a bite to a newcomber is almost impossible and they usually get frustrated very quickly.  But like you said, I sense that something has changed.  It's not a tap or slack line or the typical bite, but just a sense that something has happened.

[Brnnoser6983]

Might be that you are getting attuned to the slightest movement in the line. Kind of like when you are walking and bouncing a jig off the bottom. You can tell what you are going across. You feel difference between rocks and a branch that the jig rolls off, and know that slightest peck from the bass picking it off the bottom.

Or your gifted in a 6th sense and should use your powers on more than just bass...

[Sam]

Your subconscious mind may be picking up differences in the feel of the bait while your conscious mind does not.

 

So your brain says to set the hook, you do, and you nail one.

 

Since your brain is use to the feel of the bait without a fish holding it any change in your brain waves will signal you to se the hook even though you do not actually feel any difference with your line, slack or weight of something on the bait.

 

This comes with many hours on the water and getting used to how the presentation feels with and without a fish on the end.

 

Or, you were just lucky.

 

Take your pick.

[roadwarrior]

Or, you were just lucky.

 

It's good to be lucky!

 

A lot of lures are fished on slack line. One of my favorites is the Sworming Hornet/

LFT Live Magic Shad. 100% of the strikes occur on the drop. If the lure stops before 

you reach the bottom, set the hook. As you reel it up if you just feel "something", set

the hook!

 

 

 

[deep]

Half the time I set the hook on bottom bumping baits, I don't quite know why I set it. Curiously enough, I almost always have a fish on the end of my line after those hooksets. Yes, I occasionally end up with a snagged bait too lol.

[speed craw]

Your subconscious mind may be picking up differences in the feel of the bait while your conscious mind does not.

 

So your brain says to set the hook, you do, and you nail one.

 

Since your brain is use to the feel of the bait without a fish holding it any change in your brain waves will signal you to se the hook even though you do not actually feel any difference with your line, slack or weight of something on the bait.

 

This comes with many hours on the water and getting used to how the presentation feels with and without a fish on the end.

 

Or, you were just lucky.

 

Take your pick.

perfect statement , there are times where I will by instinct feel something different and I will sweep the rod to feel any excess of pressure and sure enough a good percentage of the time its a fish .

[Crankinstein]

I think you may be sensitive to the force. May I suggest a trip to the local bass jedi council for further testing by masters KVD and Yoda. I once thought I had this power however I was foiled by the nemesis of all bass jedi, the one known as darth log.

[Ratherbfishing]

Learned how to use the force you have!

[Ozark_Basser]

I get what you're saying. I find myself getting into the zone sometimes especially spinnerbait and crankbait fishing. It's almost as if I know I'm going to get bit a few casts before I get bit.  

[Bluebasser86]

I know I've described a fish catch or two starting when "My hands set the hook before my brain realized I had a bite." 

[primetime]

1x could be a fluke, 2x you may be super lucky, 3x I see a trend developing......

[Fishes in trees]

When you are throwing jerk baits on braid, there will often be a slight twitch or movement of the line, long before you feel anything.  It is a subtle thing.  That is the way most of my jerk bait bites happen.  The braid works kind of like a strike indicator does when you are trout fishing, or dragging a smaller buggy looking fly when you are bluegill fishing with your fly rod.

[Dwight Hottle]

You weren't using the 6th Sense Provoke 106 were you? Seriously sometimes a fish pushes the bait forward & it does feel different. That slight change makes me strike every time.

[Catch 22]

You weren't using the 6th Sense Provoke 106 were you? Seriously sometimes a fish pushes the bait forward & it does feel different. That slight change makes me strike every time.

 

Being aware of the "pushing sensation" will catch you a lot of extra fish, particularly with crank baits.

I`m glad some of you  picked up on what I was trying to describe. I was out today and didn`t get that special feeling even once.

C22