Reducing Splash When Landing Lures

[Josh Smith]

Hi Folks,

 

I'm always adding new techniques to my casting arsenal.  I love initial presentations casting technique is critical.

 

I don't have much trouble landing lures softly with sidearm casts.  I just sort of skip them across the water.  This takes some practice to keep from backlashing, but it works.  It's sort of like casting into the wind; my thumb does the same thing.

 

However, when I'm casting overhead and really bombing them out there, I get more splash than I want unless I'm using something hydrodynamic like a worm Texas rigged with a bullet sinker.

 

Bombing, say, Bombers way out is a problem with regard to splash.  (Sometimes the splash attracts bass, but more often scares them off.)

 

Not sure what to do with this.

 

Thoughts?

 

Josh

[BassinSoldier]

When I'm really launching a bait out there I'm not too worried about the point of impact because I'm trying to cover all that water in-between. I'm more careful when casting to a pinpoint target like a laydown or something where I'm thinking a fish will be up tight to whatever I'm throwing to. Don't really think its much of an issue when you're overhand bombing a lure IMO...

[Mccallister25]

I agree with above. When bombing lures I don't think its too big of a deal. Like mentioned, when fishing a target, just cast past it and work into your desired area.

[Uncle Leo]

Have you never been bit immediately when the lure hit the water? I have many times, I think the splash may get their attention somewhat. Musky fisherman do it on purpose. Not sure this always matters.

[BassinSoldier]

Uncle Leo has a good point too...I've had many strikes the second my lure touched down. I swear sometimes its like the fish saw it coming and was just waiting there with its mouth open.

[Josh Smith]

Leo,

 

I have.  Or in my experience, it's more of a splash and they hit on the first twitch (which also sets the hook.)

 

Josh

[Josh Smith]

I sometimes like to finess/pinpoint fish at range and don't always like working into the target area, or it isn't feasible to do so. 

 

Sometimes this is brush close to shore.  A technique I use here is I pick a limb and cast on to it with a weedless jig; I land the line on it and it helps land the jig gently like it's a critter that just jumped off the limb.

 

The lake I studied last year and am further studying this year is heavily pressured, and long range gentle techniques are what get me the fish.

 

Regards,

 

Josh

[F14A-B]

I agree with above. When bombing lures I don't think its too big of a deal. Like mentioned, when fishing a target, just cast past it and work into your desired area.

Yup, a ole George Cochran tactic, if target casting & you can cast beyond and bring it back into your targeted area, that's solid.. Topwater splashes are a bonus w floaters IMO

[Phelptwan]

Seems most of my hits on senkos is when or right after they hit the water with a big splash.  I pretty much try to make it big with frogs and other top waters.

[Fishes in trees]

In theory, if you can make your cast stop just above the water with the line fully extended, stop the spool with your thumb, there will be very little splash.    I've never made a no-splash cast.  I occasionally make a very low splash cast - on purpose - pitching in the 15 to 25 foot range.  I guess if you were really good and practiced a bunch you could get better at it at a distance.  Good to have goals.

 

I'm also partial to the notion that sometimes a splash is a good thing.  So I don't know, try to make the best cast you can each time, the cast you want to make, and go from there.

[bigturtle]

If you stop the lure right above the water, and give a little jerk, it reduces the splash.

[Josh Smith]

Thanks guys.

 

I'm talking about reducing splash at the 50 yard mark.  Out to 20 yards or so is pretty easy to reduce splash.

 

It's just that arc that I have to deal with that puts it way out there.

 

Regards,

 

Josh

[ec1]

I don't have an answer for your question, but I don't mind a splash for a long bomb cast.

When I see videos of bass underwater, a loud splash usually gets the attention of the bass and I would think is a good thing. (Maybe not 100% of the time - who really knows the definite answer to this)

When you are casting this far, it usually means that the bass would be unaware of your presence. And grabbing their attention would be beneficial IMO.

Just my pennies. Hope someone else has a good answer to this.