Fine Tuning Presentations

[CJ]

I have sit and recalled some of the catches I have made in the past.The lures I used are commonly what I remember the best.Though the lure is what I caught the fish on,It wasn't the only thing that caught the fish.We have all read articles on presentation,but most of them I have read seem to fall short of "fine tuning".Sure I have read about slow presentations,fast ones,pauses,colliding with structure,etc.To me those are only basic presentations.I'm talking about those secret ones the pros don't talk about.I am also talking about ones that may go against what has been wrote.

To me difining presentation isn't easy,it is a large realm.Color,size,shape,retrieve speed,and action is a start.Line size and even rod length,action,and power also are a factor.

Okay,with all that said,I will share some of the "fine tuned presentation"that have worked wonders for me.

The first one may not be a big secret and most of mine probally aren't.In pre-spawn stages a jerkbait is an excellent go to lure.It is well known to pause in between twitching.When you buy a Smithwick Suspending Rogue it will slowly float up when stopped,but one suspend strip placed right behind the front hook will give a slow sink when stopped.Most of the time bass love to strike a lure on a fall and a jerkbait is no exception.

During the spawn alot of anglers may have trouble getting a bedded fish to strike.Alot of the time shaking or working a jig slow will produce.One technique I have found to work is a little out of the ordinary.Alot of the bass on my home lake will make their beds in an opening around the yellow flowers or a weed type vegetation.Instead of targeting the actual bed I will target the vegetation around it.I run a jig over the bed slowly,shaking it.If that doesn't get the strike I will hang it on the weeds and shake it as vigorously as I can with out jerking it away.If you get the chance try this it works.

During the summer months I move out to deep ledges.The fish like to suspend alot during the day.I usually always start out with a jig or a 10 inch worm,working them close to the bottom.As the sun comes up and the water warms,I have found to down size my presentation is critical.I go to a 6 inch finesse worm on a 1/4 ounce t-rig.If the bite dies out on the bottom thats when I start lifting my worm off the bottom.Sometimes may even lift it as much as 6 or 7 feet.Sometimes only a couple of feet.This presentation has put number 5 in the livewell a few times.

Some of these presentation may sound more like tricks.And some of them probally are.All I am trying to do is show some awarness to the topic.I feel it is critical for bassfishing sucsess.It is one of the elements that make it so fun. CJ

[Cephkiller]

I feel it is critical for bassfishing sucsess.It is one of the elements that make it so fun. CJ

Don't forget that it's also an excellent excuse to buy more stuff

[DDbasser]

CJ,

Thanks for ther reminder!!!

I often get caught up in thinking about my next spot or next cast and end up working a lure the same old way and not varying my retrieve or presentation.

[mullman]

That's some great advice.  I get impatient and start moving around when I should be just changing presentations.  Thanks for the great explanation of why patience and fine tuning presentation is a better strategy.

Chris

[Rattletrap]

A lot of success has to do with cast presentation. VanDam is fun to watch. He sets the lure down in tight spots. It's almost like he walked over and set it there by hand. Once you find the fish, I think cast presentation is one of the biggest areas that separates the Pros from the Amateurs. What do ya'll think?

[Master_Hunter_1977]

To be a good bass fisherman I believe that it take a vast knowledge of presntations and the insite of hours on the lake to know when to change the presentation.  The common mistake that the amateurs make vs the pros is the amateur take to long to come up with the pattern that produce fish in that give situation.  I was say the biggest thing a person can do is send a ton of time on the water and have a vast supply of bassin knowldge.  Then be able to draw from this knowledge throughout the day.  i have a bass log that I keep everyday that I"m on the water.  I will take a digital tape recorder on the lake with me this allows me to take notes on the lake then later put them on paper.  Bait presentation I would have to say would be the most import ( this includes size, speed and color)  Then next is bait placement.  

I have one presentation that I will share.  I love this in summer.  I use a rattle trap and will fish it in over 30'.  I will slow roll it almost like you would a spinner bait.  but at times instead of ripping it I will dead stick it for 20 to 30 secs then take of burning it then slow down to a slow roll then stop it again and let it sit.  This last summer produced my top 5 fish in size.  give it a try.  and remember to record your activities on the lake b/c if your mind is like mine you will forget something bythe time you get back to the dock

Good luck fishing

Scott

[Rattletrap]

Yep. It's all about time spent on the water.

[CJ]

M-H1977,I also started keeping a log last year.I'm curious to how things may change this year.And yep I think casting is part of presentation too,especially when it comes to placement and how soft or hard your bait hits the water.Whether you are trying to keep from spooking a fish or trying to penetrate cover.Thanks for sharing your rattletrap presentation MH1977 I do something similar in the spring.I will crash one in to rocks off of steep banks then let it flutter to the bottom.It works awesome especially in a craw color.I'll have to try that deep in the summer,must get good reaction strikes.