How did I not hook this fish :)

[pdxfisher]

 

[Dye99]

I would say because you didnt STOP and dead stick it after the first hit. At least thats what Ive done when that happens.

 

 

This last weekend I spent some time fishing for smallies using topwater before the sun came up.

I had dozens of fish basically come up to tail whip my bait. Had trouble getting fish to commit...

[pdxfisher]

38 minutes ago, Dye99 said:

I would say because you didnt STOP and dead stick it after the first hit. At least thats what Ive done when that happens.

 

 

This last weekend I spent some time fishing for smallies using topwater before the sun came up.

I had dozens of fish basically come up to tail whip my bait. Had trouble getting fish to commit...

 

I have tried that in the past but in the clear calm.water on a sunny day I usually just see the fish swirl and leave after a second. If it is a little choppy stopping it seems to work but not on calm sunny days.

[Susky River Rat]

The biggest thing that you have to remember with top water is the fish are coming trying to explode and turn on it. A lot of times I think the fish miss times the opening of their mouth or the lunge to get it. When it’s a jig or bait under water they can get a better attack angle at it. It’s not a you thing. It’s the attack angle of the fish. Plus when a fish comes out of water it has the best chance of shaking hooks.

[Spankey]

I’m temporarily side lined, trying to get over a bout of pneumonia but will be back on the river shortly.  My last couple of time out the topwater bite and activity has increased. Throwing a few different versions of pop-r’s. Have to break out some old chug bugs. Guess misses are just a timing thing and hard to control what goes on with a slash. I don’t throw big buzzbait. Smaller SK baits w/ and w/o trailer hooks or baits. Different bite to them, bait is in motion. 

[fishballer06]

You didn't hook the fish because the fish never had the bait. 

[pdxfisher]

6 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

You didn't hook the fish because the fish never had the bait. 

 

That is definitely what happened. I should have titled it "How did that fish not get that lure"!

[fishballer06]

17 hours ago, pdxfisher said:

That is definitely what happened. I should have titled it "How did that fish not get that lure"!

 

I know you're in a kayak and space is limited, but this is a good situation where casting back with a follow up bait like a Senko or a Tube is usually pretty successful. 

[pdxfisher]

3 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

 

I know you're in a kayak and space is limited, but this is a good situation where casting back with a follow up bait like a Senko or a Tube is usually pretty successful. 

I did follow up with a swim bait but no Bueno.  Those fish are often moving really fast when they are chasing smolts. 

[Swamp Girl]

I agree that the fish missed, not you. The rod never loaded because the fish missed.

[pdxfisher]

5 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

I agree that the fish missed, not you. The rod never loaded because the fish missed.

 

Yes, on topwater hits I move the rod a little and if I feel resistance I continue the motion into a hookset. I guess I don't understand how that fish missed the lure that many times