The Art of Lure Presentation: Triggering Strikes with Technique
To be an effective angler one must master the art of lure presentation. Anglers who master the methods of triggering strikes with technique can get fish to bite in any situation. These concepts can be apply to all types of lures in both fresh and saltwater.
Effective lure presentation involves several key factors: understanding the species of fish being targeted, understanding how the lure should be worked, varying your speed and cadence, and selecting the right rod to implement the proper action.
Choosing the right lure is a part of the puzzle. If you don’t present them with the proper action and technique, even with the best lures in the world won’t trigger strikes. In this article we will look at how you improve your method of triggering strikes with technique.
The goal of an angler should be to make their lure so irresistible that fish have to strike it. Each lure has a specific action that is best suited for triggering strikes.
Understanding that action and how to implement it is the key. The way the lure moves, its speed, action, and its depth in the water column all factor in when getting a fish to strike a bait.
Matching Lure Retrieval To Target Species
Matching your lure retrieve to a targeted species can be the difference when triggering strikes. Time of year, weather, and locate all factor in, but ultimately it’s up to the angler to be able to gauge the mood of the fish and understand the nature of the species they are targeting. Anglers must match the right type of lure with the right species of fish.
Different lure categories have different actions and preferred retrieval speeds. Topwater lures create ripples and splashes on the surface and tend to perform best with a slow retrieve. Crankbaits swim at a desired depth imitating baitfish and perform with a moderate to fast retrieve. As an angler you need to understand each lure and each lure category will have a preferred retrieval method.
Let’s use northern pike as an example. Northern pike are ambush predators that primarily feed on baitfish like shiners and perch. Due to their aggressive nature and fast striking ability they tend to prefer faster moving lures that give off a fleeing baitfish action. When triggering strikes with technique you have to consider the nature of the species you are chasing.
Varying Your Retrieve Speed And Cadence
Varying your retrieval speed and cadence can be the difference between a fishing striking your bait or not. As a general rule of thumb the colder the water, the slower the retrieve. In contrast, the warmer water the fast the retrieve speed can be. Understanding how water temperature, time of day, and seasonal movements affect certain species of fish will help you determine your lure retrieval speed.
Adding Pauses And Twitches To Your Retrieve
Adding passes and twitches to your retrieve is a great way to trigger strikes. While adding pauses to your retrieve can be extremely beneficial with all lures, there is one lure category that this type of action is critically, the jerkbait.
Jerkbaits mimic the movement of injured fish, making them irresistible to predatory fish like bass. When you cast a jerkbait, you jerk the rod to create erratic movements, attracting fish. These pauses and twitches are what trigger predatory species like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and walleye into striking.
The key to success is try different speeds and pauses to see what works best on that particular day. When using a jerkbait the pauses and twitches should vary in intensity depending on the time of year and water temperature. In colder water, slower, more subtle twitches work best, while in warmer water, faster, more aggressive jerks tend to trigger more strikes.
One jerkbait that has been a staple for us for years is the Rapala X-Rap. What really sets this jerkbait apart from the rest is the versatility and design that allows an angler to impart a number of fish-catching actions in a single retrieve. The angler defines the cadence for maximum effectiveness. It can be fished both in an aggressive technique or with a subtle wobble. Every time the X-Rap moves it gives off a ton of flash that call in fish from a distance.
Using The Right Rod Action For Lure Presentation
Selecting the right rod is critically for lure presentation. The length, action, and power of a rod will directly effective how a lure moves in the water. Faster actions rods are generally better for quick, precise movements, while slower actions are ideal for slower, smoother retrieves.
As an angler you want to make sure the length, power, and action of the rod matches to technique and lure selection. As an example if you want to target panfish with small jigs and slip bobbers you’ll need use a fishing rod that’s designed to handle a small presentations.
A seven foot rod with a light power and fast action would be ideal for casting small baits a far distance. Using the correct rod for a lure presentation will allow the angler to maximize the action of the bait.
FAQs
How fast should I reel in my lure?
The retrieval speed can vary drastically from ultra slow to fast. It all depends on what lure you are using and the gear ratio on your reel. Typically anglers retrieve most lures at a slow to moderate speed.
What is the best jerkbait for smallmouth bass?
The size eight Rapala X-Rap is the best jerkbait for smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass also prefer brighter, flashy colors like clown, Hot head, and pink.
How fast should I work a topwater lure?
Most topwater baits like frogs and poppers perform best when worked slow and methodically.
Conclusion
The art of lure presentation a lure well enough to trigger strikes takes patience and practice. As an angler you need to take some time to understand the subtleties in presenting each type of lure. No matter the species you are targeting, don’t be afraid to change the cadence and retrieval speed often.
