Steady or Erratic Retrieve

[Todd2]

A lot of variables here, but do you think on average you get more bites on steady retrieves or erratic (stop/go, speed changes, shaking, etc.). I know many will say depends on the day,  temps, lure, etc. and I get that. Even a steady retrieve on a crankbait, for example, can be erratic with the wobble and defection off cover.  I usually keep changing until something works, but where have you had more success for larger fish?

[NorthwestBasser]

Speed and directional change seems to get me bit more than a steady retrieve. Not that i haven't hooked up on a steady pull here and there, but something erratic seems more productive. Also, depends on the lure, jerkbaits are constantly erratic. Buzzbaits are usually more steady although I will change speeds multiple times during a given cast, but mostly find the speed they like and set the cruise control, haha. 

[papajoe222]

My starting strategy is erratic retrieve in daylight, steady at night or very low water clarity. Notice I said where I start.  and I'm speaking of mostly hard baits like cranks and spinnerbaits.   It also depends on the lure. A buzz bait works both ways, but is a lot easier to reel steady.

[Bankbeater]

Definitely a steady retrieve for crankbaits. 

[scaleface]

Most of my retrieves will at least have a pause in it . When my crankbaits make contact with the bottom  I like to pause it for a second and sometimes there will be a bass on it when I start it back up .

[jbmaine]

I keep varying the retrieve until I see what works.

[A-Jay]

Steady or Erratic Retrieve ?

While each has a level of effectiveness, quite often what I do could be in the 'Both" category.

I'd call it sort of Steadily Erratic or perhaps Erratically Steady. 

 

Sometimes it's all about cadence.  And while that might mean what the bait's doing in a 5 foot stretch, other times it could be what the bait does over the entire length of a very long cast; especially for smallmouth in very clear water.  I have come to believe that SMB often really want to 'chase' or 'stalk' a bait before eating it.  Seems like part of the successful 'strike process' for me.  So if during the cast or 'the process', if I'm not getting bit ( often indicated by follows) a change in 'retrieve' can turn them into biters.  Conventional thought is to change baits or colors, but if what I was throwing was good enough to follow, often times changing the cadence is just as or more effective as a bait change. 

Of course all that goes out the window when 'inactive' bass are encountered.  That lock jaws action is rarely overcome with any bait or cadence change.

 

Either way there's almost always at least some type of pulse, pause, speed in flux or even a slight slow down of cadence.  Just some type of hiccup along the way to offer a feeling of vulnerability. 

That's my story and I'm stick'in to it. 

A-Jay

 

[J Francho]

Almost every moving bait, short of topwaters, will encounter either the bottom, or some form of cover, thereby altering the the path and rhythm of the bait.  The retrieve is generally steady, though I will stop and even give a little bit of rod back to the bait when the bait hits something.

[NHBull]

Few things in nature is consistent and truly predictable.  Even what seams to be a slow and steady retrieve  like a top water, needs to have variables

[senile1]

In most of the lakes I fish the lake bottom dictates an erratic retrieve for crankbaits though there are some spots where I can employ a steady cranking action. Bottoms littered with brush, branches, stumps, and unevenly sized rock can eat a lot of bottom dragging crankbaits.  When I hit something, which is often, I pause because if I don't it is likely I will lose the bait at some point.  Plus, the pause is often where the bite occurs if a bass is hanging near that location.

 

For baits that don't drag the bottom, I try both until I find something that works. 

[Paul Roberts]

Quick response:

 

Two components: Attraction (getting initial positive attention) and Triggering (inciting the bite).

 

The "steady" part provides control/consistency that allows me bottom and strike detection. It also sets up the triggering moves. I'm working on a video on this very topic. Got most of the graphics done, just need the time to put it together. Speaking of which, I gotta go.

[Todd2]

7 minutes ago, Paul Roberts said:

 I'm working on a video on this very topic. 

Good stuff, I'll be looking for it.