I know that a fish strikes a lot of the time when you bump up against a rock, stump or whatever structure but I've always wondered why? Is this something that happens with bait fish do they swim into rocks and get stunned for a second it's funny thinking about it but I don't think fish bump their heads up against rocks and branches and junk, lol.

It's the quick change of direction or action of the bait, triggers the response from the bass.    Kind of like if you run from a dog.

 

How did I not know this!

1 hour ago, Molay1292 said:

It's the quick change of direction or action of the bait, triggers the response from the bass.    Kind of like if you run from a dog.

 

Yep. The bass (or dog) responds instinctively. Good answer Molay1292.

16 hours ago, Cheesefrank said:

How did I not know this!

Because you hadn't asked before!

Just didn't see the trees because of the forest right? 

If you dont deflect , give the lure a quick twitch with the rod and often the bass will jump all over it .

Or reel it a few turns and pause on a stop on go retrieve

I will never fully understand why bass behave the way they do.  One moment you have to generate abrupt drastic action, like an

X-Rap and then the bass want a lure sitting still or dead sticked.  That's why I love em'.  I think deflection generates a movement that mimics a baitfish that is disoriented or in a fleeing action and bass, a predator  capitalize on that.  Ripping a lipless CB from grass does much the same.