Rate Of Fall

[Mobasser]

In past threads on soft plastic and jig fishing, Catt has mentioned the rate of fall several times, as an important factor in getting strikes from bass. This info is right on, and 100% correct.                                                          I learned this concept the hard way. Drawing an older, more experienced angler in a club tournament over 30 yrs ago.                     My partners favourite bait was a Culprit ribbon tail worm, blk/blue color. Within the first hour at the start of the tournament, he clipped off his hook, and changed his weight 3 times.                                                           On the third time, he had it dialed in, and caught several fish, while I continued to fish with a 3/8 bullet weight.                                       He later explained that he always did this, adjusting his weight until he hit the correct fall rate. Even though the Culprit was his #1 choice, he told me that the rate of fall was what caught the fish, and considered that the important factor, over color or bait type.                                                           A lesson learned, and filed away years ago. For the beginners here in bass fishing, try not to make the same mistake I made years ago. Carry several different weights with you, and don't hesitate to change to a lighter or heavier weight as needed.                                                          This concept holds true with t rigs, shakey heads, ball head jigs, and standard skirted jigs of all types.                                              Dial in your rate of fall. It's a proven fact, and can help you catch more bass.                                                   

[scaleface]

You can also change the plastics to get a faster or slower rate .  I like to keep a 1/4 ounce weight minimum when pitching  , so if I want to slow it down  a switch from a worm to a lizard will do the trick 

[Mike L]

It’s one of the considerations we need to focus on all the time, but it’s also one of things that most folks don’t. 
 

We get so hung up on location, size, action and color to form a pattern but sometimes the rof can be the only change needed. 
 

 

 

Mike
 

[Dens228]

I fish jigs a lot, more than t-rigs....often I change the rate of fall by changing the trailer. 

[Mobasser]

9 minutes ago, Mike L said:

It’s one of the considerations we need to focus on all the time, but it’s also one of things that most folks don’t. 
 

We get so hung up on location, size, action and color to form a pattern but sometimes the rof can be the only change needed. 
 

 

 

Mike
 

True Mike. I think sometimes guys are too lazy to change up, or they always want to throw more weight for casting distance. It can make a big difference.

[DitchPanda]

You can also change the rate of fall on a jig by using the same trailer but rigging it different. For instance take a zoom super chunk...a very common standard trailer. If you thread it on it is very streamlined and will fall faster than if you just hook thru the middle of the pad.

[Catt]

3 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Catt has mentioned the rate of fall several times, as an important factor in getting strikes from bass.

 

Probably once or twice more than several times.

 

I do not pick weight size based on water depth, I've caught bass in 10' of water on a 1 oz jig & I've caught bass in 20' of water on a 3/16 oz Texas Rig. I talking about the inhaling it before it hit bottom.

 

Mark Pack was famous for catching suspended bass 25' down on a Magnum Fluke. Rate of fall is 1' every two seconds, try counting that down while holding your boat in place with the trolling motor. Results were 50#+ sacks!

[WRB]

Did you know adding a 1/8 bullet weight in front of a 1/2 oz jig increases the weight to 5/8 oz, enough to trigger strikes at times.

Rapala Count Down was the 1st lure I recall designed to sink at 1’ per second, that’s is when I started “counting down” ROF.

Tom

 

 

 

  

[BigAngus752]

I know this is correct.  I know rate of fall is crucial and adjusting can make all the difference.  My struggle is maintaining confidence in my choice of location long enough to cycle through several different weights/styles.  If I've tried two different presentations (or changed one presentation a couple times) then the doubt starts to set in.  Did I read the variables wrong?  Are the fish not here but over there instead?  I would experiment more with rate of fall and  color of the plastic if I had more faith in my ability to find the fish.  But when I switch spots without being thorough and then get on fish it reinforces that I was wrong the first time when I may not have been.  I'm either going to be one of the best fishermen to ever wet a line or I will be confined to a psych ward.  

[scaleface]

49 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

I know rate of fall is crucial and adjusting can make all the difference.  My struggle is maintaining confidence in my choice of location long enough to cycle through several different weights/styles.

Me too . I'll try other things then to  keep tweaking the rate of fall  for hours . 

[Catt]

@BigAngus752 About the time I think I have them figured out they prove to me I don't!

 

While I do adjust ROF, don't constantly do it.

 

Ya gotta start somewhere 

 

With Texas Rigs I usually have two setups, one with 1/8-3/16 oz & one with 1/4-3/8 oz. 

 

With Jig-n-Craws, one with 1/4-3/8 oz & one with 1/2-3/4.

 

Everyone has their own personal repertoire of confusion!

[BigAngus752]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

With Texas Rigs I usually have two setups, one with 1/8-3/16 oz & one with 1/4-3/8 oz. 

 

With Jig-n-Craws, one with 1/4-3/8 oz & one with 1/2-3/4.

This is an excellent idea.  If I put them on deck ready to go then it's a no-brainer to pick it up and try it.  My problem has been that I clip and retie for each weight change.  I have enough set-ups I can do this.  In fact, it will make me less "scattered" with 10 different lure choices on the deck.  Thanks @Catt.  This will be implemented immediately when the ice is gone.  

[Log Catcher]

I feel like I have better luck with a slower ROF. I usually use an 1/8 ounce sinker for most of my T rigs. I will use heavier sinkers if throwing around heavy cover. I probably need to be using heavier sinkers a lot more than I do.

[BrianMDTX]

It makes you wonder. Why? Why does the rate of fall matter to the bass? If you’re looking at ROF in 45° vs 75° water temps it sounds understandable. But it makes a difference day-to-day even when conditions are basically the same. Why? It really makes you scratch your head how the same bait with a 1/4 oz weight is good one day but not the next with all other factors basically the same. 

 

I know the bass bass have a reason, lol. I’d just like to know what it is! 

[Catt]

2 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I know the bass bass have a reason, lol. I’d just like to know what it is! 

 

Some claim to know a scientific reason, I prefer...IDK!

 

One thing Iearned years ago, bass do weird things without rhyme or reason.

[Bankbeater]

Last year I would throw out a weightless plastic worm, and it wouldn't get bit.  I put a small split shot up the line about a foot, and started catching bass.  Same bait, only difference was that split shot.

[scaleface]

When I'm worm fishing there is usually going to be some pitching involved into heavy cover. I cant pitch with a light weight and bait . So its give and take . I found a 1/4 ounce weight with an eight or nine inch worm performs well . If I want a faster fall a 5/16th ounce and a six inch worm works . That sounds like too much weight for such a small bait but I have caught thousands of bass on that combo . 

[Fastbee]

Well, to me ROF is only important if I'm trying to catch "suspended" fish, those not relating to the top or bottom.  If I'm dragging a jig on a point or ledge the ROF doesn't even enter my mind, keeping contact with the bottom is my primary concern.  I play with ROF a lot on pole docks and laydowns since fish can be anywhere in the water column.  I usually flip/pitch/skip jigs at these targets and getting bit on the way down helps to cover water.