Skip to content

Following hooked fish

Featured Replies

So this morning fishing I noticed that ever fish I caught would have a larger fish following him all the way in to the boat.  I wanted to know if the following meant anything, or if I should adjust my fishing when I notice that type of action.

 

Here is the setup if needed.

 

I was fishing a robo worm shaky head in very thick trees and brush in the back of a cove in about 7ft of water. The water temp was 59, clarity was about 2 ft. All the fish we're caught when I was skipping as far into the brush as I could get. None on the edges.

  • Super User

Happens a lot here with smallies...they often cough up what they were eating and the other fish eat it...

 

Another fisherman on the boat can often capitalize on it by tossing in a lure that's close to what they are coughing up.

  • Super User

That indicates a very aggressive and active feeding pattern.

  • Author

So basically I found some active fish, and I need to or have co angler follow up near the hooked fish to try and snag another one.

 

Thanks for the information.

  • Super User

I have a pretty good bit of experience with fish acting that way. With largemouth, once they are close to the boat, you typically can't get them to eat. Smallies are more aggressive and you'll have a better shot at them when they are right beside your boat.

 

With schoolie sized bass, a lot of the time you can cast to them as they are swimming away after following a hooked fish, and they will eat. With bigger fish, however, your best bet is either to quickly get a bait near the hooked fish while it is far away, or let the area rest for a while after catching the fish so that they have some time to regroup and reposition themselves as they were.

 

When the pros were on the St. Lawrence this summer, they would catch a fish off of a key area, and talk about all the big ones they could see following it. Many of them would leave to let the fish regroup before making a cast to the same spot, often a single boulder.

 

1 minute ago, everythingthatswims said:

I have a pretty good bit of experience with fish acting that way. With largemouth, once they are close to the boat, you typically can't get them to eat. Smallies are more aggressive and you'll have a better shot at them when they are right beside your boat.

 

With schoolie sized bass, a lot of the time you can cast to them as they are swimming away after following a hooked fish, and they will eat. With bigger fish, however, your best bet is either to quickly get a bait near the hooked fish while it is far away, or let the area rest for a while after catching the fish so that they have some time to regroup and reposition themselves as they were.

 

A jerkbait is KILLER when bass are acting like that.

^^ This-especially that bit on the jerkbaits.  When I see followers, I immediately tie a jerkbait on, regardless of depth or clarity. The majority of the time the bass go crazy fighting each other for the bait.:)  Had some great days fishing clear water fisheries that way.

  • Super User

And sometimes a 4lb green one follows in a little brown one. This largemouth followed for long enough for me to get my phone out and take a picture. Then she hung out by the boat for 30 seconds while the smallmouth wasn't even in the water!

IMG_6582.thumb.png.610bfc9c6ec4514399e16de7bba7b147.pngNote the Jerkbait!

If I was consistently getting followers like that, I'd consider throwing a double fluke rig too.

  • Global Moderator

I keep a Ned rig or senko handy and manage to capitalize on a good number of those followers. Put the rod with the hooked fish between my legs and drop the other bait right next to it. 

  • Author

Sounds easy, ill try tossing a wacky rig, or whatever else I have rigged close to the hooked fish and see what I can get.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.