I have started throwing 5"-7" slow sinking glide baits in the local ponds I fish. Any recommendations on how to retrieve them to get more bites and bigger bites on them? 

 

How is fast or slow? Stop and go? Jerks? Pauses? What has worked best for you?

You have to experiment a little. I like a handle turn/pause/handle turn. If no bite or I have followers, I give it a quick, 2 crank spurt. Then repeat the turn/pause/turn. Now that being said, it has been amazing how many bites I get when I think I made a bad cast & I am cranking it in like crazy. But still, the majority of my bites come on the pause or first movement after.

 

 

12 hours ago, FCPhil said:

fast or slow? Stop and go? Jerks? Pauses?

 

all of the above lol. A good starting point is a slow constant retrieve, then what @1201vilbig said: 

54 minutes ago, 1201vilbig said:

handle turn/pause/handle turn. If no bite or I have followers, I give it a quick, 2 crank spurt

 

that's pretty much exactly what i do too. works even better on larger sized baits

If you get followers but no takers, I usually have better luck with an increase in speed than I do with a sudden pause.

 

 

I've found that certain glide baits react to jerking and fast retrievals differently (some good, some bad) than others. So experiment with the baits you have and see if it works for the bait you're using. As with any type of fishing lure, try various retrieves and techniques and find out whats working best for you on that particular day. 

I retrieve mine with the reel only. Couple quick cranks, then a pause. How long of pause and how quick the cranks changes day to day and I have to let the fish tell me what the answer is. Normally, if a fish follows a bait it's best to continue on and even speed up, but for some reason with glide baits, killing it so it falls down in their face triggers a lot of strikes. I usually combine the two though. If I see a follower, I'll give the handle a few quick turns, then stop. This lets me judge the fish's reaction to see which it liked.