Walking The Dog, Thanks Fellas Actually Caught A Bass Today

[retiredbosn]

Ok first of all, I'm uncoordinated, I have actually fallen going up stairs!!! Anyway I am trying to learn how to fish a walking bait, I'm using a sammy style from Academy. I can get it right occasionally, but typically it will go to my left, I can get it to start to the right but typically it will end up going left again. I can do it properly if I go really slow and do not cast very far. I'm using a Convergence MH cranking rod with a Pro Qualifer reel, 6.4:1. So basically I have four questions. Am I taking all the slack out before I snap the rod? The lure doesn't have a split ring, should I direct tie, direct tie with a loop knot, use a clip? Use a slower reel so I can manage the line I take up better? Is it harder to get the right action with a long cast v/s a short one? I've watched ppl work baits properly but I'm having difficulty getting it right. If I can do it slowly, so slow I doubt any fish would hit it, I'm thinking with practice I'll be able to speed up. Any advise would be appreciated.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

The rod I was using when we went out was a 6'6" with a 7.1:1 gear ratio. I think the shorter rod really helps me control the bait and I like the faster reel to make the bait walk faster when I need it. I also use braid which seems to help along with a duo lock clip. I like the clip for two reasons 1 I think it allows the bait to move more freely and also makes changing the baits a breeze especially using braid.

As with all techniques the key is practice practice practice. It sounds like you are are Reeling a little to much and bringing in to much line between snaps causing the bait to straighten out before the next snap of the rod and continually going left. You want to have some slack in the line before you snp AND after you snap the rod. The trick is to pull in only enough Line so that you don't have to little or to much slack. When I do it it feels like I turn the handle about a 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn in between snaps of the rod. Hope this helps man!!

[retiredbosn]

yeah that's why I got the Academy bait, you worked it effortlessly. So I'm tying to learn again, I tried before with a spook. I think your right I'm taking up to much line and I had direct tied with out a loop knot or a clip. I think I may have had the yozuri line on that reel which sinks. I know that I should be using a floating line.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Those Academy bait are sweet! Not only does the braid float but with its sensitivity and no stretch I can feel the bait move much better. I would try some braid, throw a clip on it, and practice reeling in a little less. Trust me my man I'm all thumbs and if I can do it any one can . Also remember at first to watch your bait.you should be able to tell which way the nose is pointing if it ever points straight forward then you've reeled in to much line or just pulled instead of snapped the rod.

[Michael DiNardo]

You cannot use a sinking line with a floating bait. It is not even worth trying. Put some mono on and try again. Remember you have to give slack line back to the bait. You are not just pulling the bait through the water.

Mike

[endless]

When coming to my Rapala skitterwalk I also use braid since I'm usually fishing over structure or around cover. My lure seems to walk naturally from a slight twitch from rod with slack line. I was even walking it with my 7'6 H-F CarrotStix yesterday. Sadly I also lost a monster as well.

[retiredbosn]

Thanks all, I'm pretty confident that its a combo of using a line that sinks, and reeling too fast. My cordination goes away if I add any speed, my brother plays the drums used to be in a band. He would let me try just to laugh, I can not for the life of me get one foot working the bass, another on the trap cymbal, one hand working the snare and another on the tom. So to get one hand snapping the rod and the other to move the handle is a challenge, lol.

[smalljaw67]

The line is an area you need to look at and I would use a split ring, no snap. The other thing is to work the bait on slack line, and while I can't walk the dog with a cranking rod it doesn't mean you can't but I prefer a fast action rod as I have more control but I do sacrifice some fish but I feel I get more strikes as I can work the bait better so it is a trade off.

[retiredbosn]

stopped by the pond and tried the tactics recommended caught a bass!!!! Thanks

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Awesome man!! Nothing like catchin bass on a topwater