Run and gun anglers cringe when asked how they do it. The finesse anglers laugh when they see the run and gun anglers cringe when asked about it. It is a reoccurring theme when it comes to fishing, yet it seems that the majority of anglers look over this very basic concept; if you think that you are fishing slow enough, slow down some more.
It seems that the precept of aggressive fishing is taught to all anglers, so that they are able to get the most active fish. Although this is a great way to fish in developing a pattern, but anglers have a hard time slowing down once the pattern is developed and refined.
Almost all anglers, upon the launching of the boat, and the start of the fishing day, will automatically pick up a lure that is considered a search lure. These range from your assorted topwater lures, to spinnerbaits and crankbaits. During the time of year from the pre-spawn until the start of winter, almost all anglers will have a topwater lure tied on. As previously stated, this is taught to all anglers from the time they understand the various uses of all the lures; although it is a great starting point, many anglers have a difficult time in slowing down once a pattern is developed.
Many anglers will ask how they can slow down, especially when it seems that the bass are destroying the lures that they are using. The best answer to this is that anglers should continue to use the lures that are catching the most bass, but they should also have a thought of what they should use when that "hot" bite disappears. Having the ability to take a step back and to analyze the current situations will often times have greater results, not only for the present, but also for future outings.
There are a few things that anglers must consider when learning how to slow down. These include:
The time of the year
How that the seasons are relating to bass behavior and locations
The variety of lures that the bass are already hitting, and the things that they will continue to hit
What time of day you are fishing
The current water conditions.
When fishing from the pre-spawn until the onset of winter, being able to slow down will produce more quality bites, than quantity of bites.
Most of the time, when slowing down during these times of the year, it is because a major cold front has come through, and has pushed the bass tight to cover, or because the usual fast-paced approaches are not working to the advantage of the angler.
Your ability to realize the signs are indicating that the run and gun approach is not working will rely heavily on your ability to step back and to see the conditions for what they are. Take, for example, an early morning bite that consists of bass nailing buzzbaits that are fishing along wooden cover. The other factors that come into play are the overcasts skies, the slightly stained water, and the water temperature that is hovering around the 64 degree area. Many anglers would believe that this would be a prime day for the buzzbait bite to continue through the day, and most anglers would continue to cast the buzzbait, even when they had no had a bite over the past hour. To most, this would not raise a red flag, but let's say that the bite in the early morning time was fast and hard; that within the first two hours, an angler had well over 40 fish, and they all of a sudden stopped.
This should raise a red flag, and for most, it would. However, let us say that if the bites were only coming in intervals of 15 minutes, and then, it shut down. For many anglers, they would believe that they had left an area with active fish, and had moved on to a place with non-active fish. For the most part, they would be right, but most of the anglers would have been just as content to fish the buzzbait. Being able to slow down, and to read the signs that say it is time to slow down, will improve each and every angler's ability on the water. Although, it may be close to extreme pain for some to slow down, doing it will be a great move for them.
Many anglers want to know what lures and techniques are employed when having to gear down. The most honest answer is that all of the lures and techniques can be employed. I would venture to say that a few of you that are reading this are now scratching your heads, wondering what I am talking about.
Take the buzzbait bite; great during the morning hours, then, just shuts off. Since there are not many lures that mimic the buzzbait, you can slow down to a suspending jerkbait, a popping top water lure, or even a long "trick" worm. All of these lures are fished along the top of the water columns (if you use a shallow running suspending jerk bait). Although they are not nearly as noisy or flashy as the buzzbait, they are less assuming, and thus, will probably gain the attention of more bass, because the anglers employing them have effectively slowed down their presentation.
Also, keep in mind that "slowing" down a presentation may not always be associated with the actual speed of which the lure is presented. Although, a good part of the time, it does refer to the actual speed of presentation, it can also mean downsizing the lure.
For example, a spinnerbait is a very effective way of covering a lot of water, picking off active fish, and a great way of putting together a pattern, especially when determining the location of bass as they relate to cover. When wanting to slow down the presentation of the lure, you can go in two different directions; first, you can literally slow the bait down, that is, slow the retrieve, or you can even switch up the blade combinations of the lure, and second, you can decrease the size of the lure, which makes the lure less assuming.
There are also some very drastic measures that anglers can take to slow down their presentation. These very measures are the ones that most anglers cringe at and almost always hate to employ. However, they are proven to work time and time again, and for this reason, anglers accept the agony of slowing down for the more favorable fight of a large bass.
The first of these "drastic" measures is switching from a very fast moving lure to the dreaded Carolina rig. Yes, fishing the Carolina rig is a very slow presentation that, at times, can take upwards of 10-15 minutes to carry out a single cast and retrieve. Moving from fishing something very fast, such as a spinnerbait, to fishing the Carolina rig can cause a change that most anglers will not immediately recognize. Anglers are so used to fishing the spinnerbait at a fast pace that they will start to fish the Carolina rig fast. Again, remember that if you feel that you are fishing slow enough, then slow down some more. The Carolina rig is meant to be fished at a very slow, methodical pace. Most anglers recognize its use in the "dog days" of summer, when even the water seems to sweat. It is also recognized as a very effective cold water presentation. However, it can produce some very astounding catches during those "non C-rig" days, when it seems that the faster presentations will work.
The next of the drastic presentations comes into play when anglers change from fishing horizontally, to fishing vertically. From spoons to the drop-shot rig, fishing vertically has been pushed to the wayside. The only exception is for the drop-shot rig, which almost every angler is fascinated with, but not all anglers are willing to use. In the southern states especially, some anglers may have the fear of being mocked if they use lines that are anything smaller than the diameter of heavy duty sea-faring line. Lines ranging from 6- to 10-pounds are often used when this presentation is employed, and for most southern bass anglers, when lines that small are used, they are fishing for crappies or bluegills. However, the misconception is that you cannot land a large bass on such light line. Having the right equipment for such a battle is mandatory, but that is another article for another time.
Also, the use of smaller lures leaves some anglers feeling that they will only be catching small bass. There are two trains of thought that can go with this; first, the smaller baits will attract smaller bass, which in turn will not get the attention of the larger bass, or second, that the smaller lures are less assuming, which will cause the larger bass to take notice, and will induce a complete and utter will to dominate. It is true that larger bass are easily tempted by an easy meal. They are opportunistic feeders, and although the larger bass would rather eat a large helping, most bass will not turn down a smaller meal that sits in front of them, and will not move. To a bass, this meal surely has a death wish, and will usually get that wish.
The ability to slow down does take time, patience, and a willingness to keep at it, but once that ability is learned, the angler that employs it will see a greater number of catches, and will certainly notice a few more larger bass than they have caught. Being willing to learn this valuable trait will help you become a better angler. It will also give you the ability and insight to step back when the bites are seemingly not there, and to realize that slowing down might be the key to put those extra few fish in the live well.
As always, stay safe on the water, and may all of your lines be tight.
