I would say because you didnt STOP and dead stick it after the first hit. At least thats what Ive done when that happens.

 

 

This last weekend I spent some time fishing for smallies using topwater before the sun came up.

I had dozens of fish basically come up to tail whip my bait. Had trouble getting fish to commit...

38 minutes ago, Dye99 said:

I would say because you didnt STOP and dead stick it after the first hit. At least thats what Ive done when that happens.

 

 

This last weekend I spent some time fishing for smallies using topwater before the sun came up.

I had dozens of fish basically come up to tail whip my bait. Had trouble getting fish to commit...

 

I have tried that in the past but in the clear calm.water on a sunny day I usually just see the fish swirl and leave after a second. If it is a little choppy stopping it seems to work but not on calm sunny days.

The biggest thing that you have to remember with top water is the fish are coming trying to explode and turn on it. A lot of times I think the fish miss times the opening of their mouth or the lunge to get it. When it’s a jig or bait under water they can get a better attack angle at it. It’s not a you thing. It’s the attack angle of the fish. Plus when a fish comes out of water it has the best chance of shaking hooks.

I’m temporarily side lined, trying to get over a bout of pneumonia but will be back on the river shortly.  My last couple of time out the topwater bite and activity has increased. Throwing a few different versions of pop-r’s. Have to break out some old chug bugs. Guess misses are just a timing thing and hard to control what goes on with a slash. I don’t throw big buzzbait. Smaller SK baits w/ and w/o trailer hooks or baits. Different bite to them, bait is in motion. 

You didn't hook the fish because the fish never had the bait. 

6 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

You didn't hook the fish because the fish never had the bait. 

 

That is definitely what happened. I should have titled it "How did that fish not get that lure"!

17 hours ago, pdxfisher said:

That is definitely what happened. I should have titled it "How did that fish not get that lure"!

 

I know you're in a kayak and space is limited, but this is a good situation where casting back with a follow up bait like a Senko or a Tube is usually pretty successful. 

3 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

 

I know you're in a kayak and space is limited, but this is a good situation where casting back with a follow up bait like a Senko or a Tube is usually pretty successful. 

I did follow up with a swim bait but no Bueno.  Those fish are often moving really fast when they are chasing smolts. 

I agree that the fish missed, not you. The rod never loaded because the fish missed.

5 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

I agree that the fish missed, not you. The rod never loaded because the fish missed.

 

Yes, on topwater hits I move the rod a little and if I feel resistance I continue the motion into a hookset. I guess I don't understand how that fish missed the lure that many times