steezy Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 After a Missed Strike - Where Does the Fish Go? Does the fish stay the in same spot or in the general area? Does the fish swim away because they are ticked off they missed a meal? Ive notice that if I recast in the same area, less than 25% of the time will I get a second strike and if so it could be a different fish. This morning I had a big bass hit a spinnerbait so hard it almost yanked my rod out of my hand (and yes I would have gone swimming for my steez) but I didnt get a good hook set cause he was off within 2 seconds of hitting the lure. Darn thing even had the nerve to come to the surface and splash his tail, it was a really nice bass! I'm curious what opinions others have on this situation. Quote
vatech Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 So earlier this summer I was fishing this lake and I could see spawning beds all along the side of the lake about 30 yards apart. Two seperate beds the first time I ran a senko through I had hits but missed my hooksets. Both times I cast the lure right back, ran the bait through the bed again and hooked up with the fish. I think this is a more obvious scenario of a male fish defending a spawning bed. In general, I feel like my percentage is a little better with casting right back after a missed hit. I feel like about half the time it usually works out for me. Quote
George Welcome Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 After a Missed Strike - Where Does the Fish Go? Does the fish stay the in same spot or in the general area? Does the fish swim away because they are ticked off they missed a meal? Ive notice that if I recast in the same area, less than 25% of the time will I get a second strike and if so it could be a different fish. This morning I had a big bass hit a spinnerbait so hard it almost yanked my rod out of my hand (and yes I would have gone swimming for my steez) but I didnt get a good hook set cause he was off within 2 seconds of hitting the lure. Darn thing even had the nerve to come to the surface and splash his tail, it was a really nice bass! I'm curious what opinions others have on this situation. For your situation it was a missed hook set, not a missed strike. That fish almost certainly felt the hook so a chance of getting it to hit right away would be very slim. Coming to the surface was that fishes way of checking to be sure it was free: that and of course it's way of saying, ha. On missed strikes such as with a top water bait, then the bass will return to its original location. A well placed plastic will probably catch that fish. Quote
Super User Catt Posted August 12, 2009 Super User Posted August 12, 2009 After a Missed Strike - Where Does the Fish Go? Does the fish stay the in same spot or in the general area? Does the fish swim away because they are ticked off they missed a meal? Ive notice that if I recast in the same area, less than 25% of the time will I get a second strike and if so it could be a different fish. This morning I had a big bass hit a spinnerbait so hard it almost yanked my rod out of my hand (and yes I would have gone swimming for my steez) but I didnt get a good hook set cause he was off within 2 seconds of hitting the lure. Darn thing even had the nerve to come to the surface and splash his tail, it was a really nice bass! I'm curious what opinions others have on this situation. For your situation it was a missed hook set, not a missed strike. That fish almost certainly felt the hook so a chance of getting it to hit right away would be very slim. Coming to the surface was that fishes way of checking to be sure it was free: that and of course it's way of saying, ha. On missed strikes such as with a top water bait, then the bass will return to its original location. A well placed plastic will probably catch that fish. X2 Quote
ring fry Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 I agree, but also I've observed that a bass will sometimes follow the original lure a while before he hits it. On a missed strike I'll throw a senko or other plastic right back where he hit it. If nothing, I'll work my way back to where I thought he came from. I've caught quit a few on the fourth or fifth cast with the soft plastic after the original miss. Quote
mikey16 Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 most likely the fish will swim over to my boat and i will catch him 8-) Quote
umahunter Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 often times if it is a true miss throw back and they'll hit it. may take a couple casts but they usually don't bail. if it is a miss/spit i have a second pole with a different bait and usually throw that and catch them most of the time. like if im fishing a senko on pole 1 i have a fluke on backup pole 2 or a small swim bait like a shadelicious i have caught many fish on backup pole 2 Quote
Uncle Leo Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 Always throw back something with a slow sink rate just in case. Realize we are working with highly unpredictable creatures here. Some we win and some we lose. At least we have the ability to rationalize. Quote
Busy Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 I agree with George. Each post in this thread has to do with casting again; you don't always have to. If I miss a strike or a hook-set I immediately stop my retrieve instead of hauling it back to cast again. If you miss on a hook set you might jerk your lure a little ways away from the fish, but he still knows where it is. By stopping your retrieve (especially with soft plastics) you let the lure hit the bottom. As soon as it hits the bottom twitch it and barely move it. Bass will circle around and hit it again especially if they think they've wounded their prey (that's why you stop the retrieve). Take for example bass fishing with live bluegill as bait. Often the bass will bump the bluegill a few times and come back 3-7 seconds later with a vengeance. You know the bluegill is trying to get away but can't because it's hooked. I try to mimic this same scenario with my artificial lures if I miss a stike/hook-set. Edit: I see now you said you were using a spinnerbait. Casting again may be the best option. On a texas rigged creature or something with a weedless hook I would try to get the fish to hit a second time. Personally, I always try to get the bass to hit a second time, but after 7 seconds I'll leave that spinner in the lake and throw a plastic on my second rod and not worry about retrieving the spinnerbait until I know I'm not going to catch that fish. Quote
slider head Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 With a spinnerbait when I have a fish slap it and I do not get a hookset I quit reeling and let it free fall. My best guess is the fish thinks it has injured it and then it comes back to get its easy meal. This works for me a great deal of the time. If not I will pitch a senko back to the general area. Quote
steezy Posted August 12, 2009 Author Posted August 12, 2009 Yea I grabbed the rod with that black senko and started throwing it, begged for almost 10 minutes but he never took it. I'll get him next time! Quote
Super User Muddy Posted August 12, 2009 Super User Posted August 12, 2009 If it misses strike three:BACK TO THE DUGOUT, thats where you after missing strike three Quote
NewAngler Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 Great topic, I've always wondered the same thing. Thanks steez. Quote
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