Followers

[Mobasser]

When I first started bass fishing, I had a large bass follow a Cordell Spot to within one foot of the bank, then turn away at the last second. I've had other bass do this through the years also. They will follow a lure close to the bank or boat, then turn away without striking the bait. I havnt noticed this as much with slow moving jigs or t rigs. Usually it's happened with lipless baits, shallow crankbaits, or spinnerbaits. I've read about musky fisherman doing a figure eight within a few feet of the boat, to entice a musky to strike. I'm sure others have had followers like this also. It's a puzzling thing. Clearly, the bass is interested in your lure, but wont strike it. Would you say these fish are not really feeding, but follow out of curiosity, then turn away when they realize that somethings not right? Have you found a way to get them to hit? What are some experiences you've had with these followers?

[J Francho]

I thought this was gonna be a thread about getting likes, lol.

 

You get this a lot with big swimbaits.  For me, the bait did it's job, and confirmed my bias: there is a big fish living there that wants to eat.  I'm already that far ahead of blindly casting any old lure.

[Mobasser]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I thought this was gonna be a thread about getting likes, lol.

 

You get this a lot with big swimbaits.  For me, the bait did it's job, and confirmed my bias: there is a big fish living there that wants to eat.  I'm already that for ahead of blindly casting any old lure.

I had one smaller 14' bass, follow a shallow diving rebel crankbait 2 or 3 times. I'm pretty sure it was the same fish. I never did hook him.

[roadwarrior]

Great opportunity to follow up with a Senko or Fat Ika.

 

[Cgolf]

The fish is interested in the lure, but there wasn't a trigger to get it to strike. Perhaps briefly pausing the retrieve or speeding it up would trigger the bass into striking the lure. As a last resort it may be the right lure and retrieve but the wrong color.

 

This is similar with Musky and the figure eight. A straight in retrieve becomes an erratic one with the figure eight which has speed and direction changes that trigger muskies. The odd thing is musky are harder to get to hit, but when they are locked in, they can't see the boat or person, where as a bass, much easier to catch, will turn away at the boat and never be seen again.

 

I have stood on shore with a pair of 45" plus muskies a foot off the shore in front of me, while fishing for panfish and they didn't move. In fact  as I was preparing to lift my 2" grub out of the water one hit the bait and thanks to 10lb fireline the fight lasted what seemed to be 5 minutes before it broke off. Never seen such arrogant fish lol.

[Hammer 4]

Steady retrieves get followers, give the bait a twitch,or stop, the a couple quick turns of the reel to get a reaction strike.

Bass fishing 101...

[Bankbeater]

If the water is clear I back up a few feet from the bank after I cast out so I don't spook the bass as they are swimming right at me.  

[Mobasser]

I have caught fish that follow in by stopping the retrieve or twitching the lure. This works if you can see a bass following before he gets too close to the boat, or the bank.Usually I'm not always watching my lure when it's within two feet of where I'm standing. By that time, I'm focused on reeling up and casting again. I think lots of guys spook following fish, or don't even realize they have a bass following, because they never see them untill it's too late to react. He's already spooked by that point, especially in clear water. It all sounds good, to jerk the bait or stop the retrieve, but I doubt it actually works much of the time.

 

[WRB]

Most predator fish including bass are curious and just checking out the lure with no intention of eating it. Followers are very common you just don't see them unless youare looking. 

My advice is assume a bass following every cast and change the pace to induce a strike as a normal retreive tactic. This is working the lure and keeps you on your toes expecting a strike and it works. It's also a good idea to follow a cast with a slowing moving lure even when you don't see a follower, helps increasing strikes and tells you the bass don't want the faster lure.

Tom

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

It's also a good idea to follow a cast with a slowing moving lure even when you don't see a follower, helps increasing strikes and tells you the bass don't want the faster lure.

 

   Yes ..... and vice versa. Sometimes a slow retrieve won't draw a strike, but a faster retrieve will get hits. As always, the fish will tell you what they want and what they don't want.    jj

[fin]

I’ve always thought they were mesmerized by the bait, but not really hungry, or maybe just chasing it defensively. I’ve seen it a lot, and I agree with WRB that it happens all the time, we just can’t always see it.

 

I was thinking about this when you posted about that guy that won tournaments throwing a Creme worm into brush and then burning it back to the boat if he didn’t get a hit. I don’t disagree with his strategy, but I would slow down or pause that worm at the last minute. I’ve had bass come out of the water right in front of me trying to get my bait as I’m lifting it out of the water, and I’ve even caught a few like that. That’s a rush. It’s a very short fight, but it’s a heck of a rush.

[scaleface]

I've been getting some followers this year. Caught several short striking at the boat . Missed several too .

[Lead Head]

1 hour ago, fin said:

I’ve always thought they were mesmerized by the bait, but not really hungry, or maybe just chasing it defensively. I’ve seen it a lot, and I agree with WRB that it happens all the time, we just can’t always see it.

 

I was thinking about this when you posted about that guy that won tournaments throwing a Creme worm into brush and then burning it back to the boat if he didn’t get a hit. I don’t disagree with his strategy, but I would slow down or pause that worm at the last minute. I’ve had bass come out of the water right in front of me trying to get my bait as I’m lifting it out of the water, and I’ve even caught a few like that. That’s a rush. It’s a very short fight, but it’s a heck of a rush.

This! In my early fishing days I had fish chase my Texas rig back to the boat when I was burning it in for another cast. Since then I have started killing it for a second just before I can see it. Sometimes that's 3 or 4 feet away, sometimes its 10 or 15 feet depending on water clarity. Over the years this has resulted in some really Interesting hookups. Overall I wouldn't say I have caught a lot of fish doing this but definitely enough that I keep doing it. 

 

[Black Hawk Basser]

I've been surprised plenty of times, especially in early spring, when I've burned a bait in to recast and got a hard hit.  Now I always employ the full gamut of retrieves no matter what the water temp is.