Bass Follow Lures but Don't Bite

[CKurtz15]

Hello

I was on my boat fishing today and I had serious trouble getting the fish to bite.

I fished lipless crankbaits, squarebill crankbaits, trick worms, spinnerbaits, and flukes. The only bait which seemed to spark interest were my flukes as there was shad in the area. 

I easily saw thirty bass follow my paddle tail flukes to the boat; however, I only landed four fish. Most bass would simply follow my lure to my boat and turn away. 

I tried five different fluke color patterns and different retrieval methods to trigger a reaction strike, but nothing made of significant difference. The only thing I can think of is that I was not using a scent. 

What am I doing wrong? Is there any technique I should have been trying? 

Any information would be appreciated! 

Thanks

 

 

[Glenn]

When I see bass do that,  They're telling you something.  They like it, but something isn't quite right.

I first try changing my lure presentation (speed up, slow down, stop-n-go, something...).  If that doesn't work, then I start changing colors.  Usually one or the other is all it takes.

[riverbasser]

Sounds like you did everything right. Only thing I can think I would of done is try a different swimbait similar to the fluke

[FirstnameLastname]

Yea everything said has been said. You seemed to have done it all. My only guess would be to change it up.. Maybe instead of pulling those baits thought the water find a shady spot and fish top water. Something different I guess

[flyingmonkie]

It wasn't scent.  The most influence that will have is AFTER the bite.

My instinct is usually to slow down in this situation, but most pros will say the opposite - BURN IT!

As has already been said, it's a game of changing things and seeing if you (or the fish) have patience enough to wait for the right combo.

 

[smalljaw67]

As Glenn mentioned, getting a follow is a sign, it means you are on the right track, you got the fish interested but something is keeping it from committing. The big three are size, color, and speed, this happens with cranks and jerkbaits a lot, and the easiest thing to do first is to change speed or cadence. If the speed or cadence still renders only follows, change the size or color or both, I usually begin with color, if I get no follows I'll change the size and go back to the original color, and if that don't work I'll try a completely different color in a different size but normally something will work. I've had fish follow a clown color jerkbait and I'd switch to a shad pattern and they would begin hittin, I also had them follow 3 different color Pointer 100 baits and then I dropped to a Pointer 78 in the first color I used and that was the ticket, so remember, speed, size, and color.

[scaleface]

Like already been said , the bass were almost biting .

 I had a day like that last year with crankbaits . They were following it and hitting it closed mouth . I caught a few but most were hooked on the outside . i finally solved the riddle  by using a suspending Rapala X Rap .

[Tmmytomato]

You seem to have done everything everyone else has suggested. I have to wonder if changing to a strait tail fluke or a single tail grub might have helped. It sounds though as if it was just one of those days.

[Hook Wet]

I had a similar experience last weekend. Scatter rap was pulling smallmouth off the beds toward the boat but they weren't biting. As soon as i got them close to the boat, I threw in a drop shot rig with a 4" green pumpkin straight worm. Wham! Caught many fish that way.

As others have said, small changes can make a big difference.

[papajoe222]

Unless I missed it, changing the size of the bait hasn't been mentioned.  As Glenn said, you were doing something right, you just needed to tweak your presentation a little.  Add a size change to the equation and if you're still not hooking up, they all must be female bass. We all know how finicky the ladies can get.

Sorry smalljaw67, I just read your reply.  It is worth rementioning...............isn't it?