I have been putting a lot more time into cranking this year, and it's been fantastic. Lately I've been throwing a rapala dt10 In firetiger, or orange craw at my home lake. Usually dredging a bit. I use a pretty erratic retrieve most of the time, but do change up frequently to see what the fish want. Recently most of my fish. Probably about 80% have been hitting the crank right when my lure starts to come up right under the boat. What does this mean and how can I take advantage of the situation? Are these fish following and hitting out of a reaction?

Lake is 70 acres

Fishing 3-10' depths

1-2' visibility

High pressure

Sunny weather

More than likely they are following it and the sudden change of direction got a reaction strike. Do you add complete stops to your erratic retrieve, or switch sides you are holding the rod on the retrieve to change the angle of retrieve?

More than likely they are following it and the sudden change of direction got a reaction strike. Do you add complete stops to your erratic retrieve, or switch sides you are holding the rod on the retrieve to change the angle of retrieve?

I don't switch sides. That's something that I'm going to have to incorporate. I use pauses, jerks, speed changes, and irratic reeling sometimes. Thanks for the tip!

I usually just add complete stops to my retrieve every once and awhile when that's happening and it helps, there is always that one fish that makes up its mind as your pulling it out of the water haha

More than likely the direction change is causing the bite. During your retrieve, try raising your rod tip up from time to time. That could cause a bite from those fish that are following it into the boat. 

Thanks guys. Great advice. Can't wait to get some more with these tips.

The key times to get a reaction strike from a big bass is as soon as you crank it under, and right when it begins the upward curve towards the boat.