what criteria do you guys use to decide if the fish want a slow fall or a fast fall with things like jigs and soft plastics when pitching and fishing.  usually i go as light as i can that will allow me to keep contact with the bottom or to get down through the slop.  usually it seems the slower fall is better and more natural.  sometimes however it seems that the fish will not bite unless you blow it by them at a million miles an hour to get a reaction bite.  is this just a trial and error thing and a if one dosent work try the other, or is there some weather conditions or something else that favors a fast vs. slow fall.  

matt

I ussually determine the fall of my lure based on how aggressive the bass are that day. The more aggressive the faster the fall. That way it is a reaction strike that results. Other wise I tend to go with the slowest fall so long as I am able to maintain a good bottom contact. One thing i would like to say is the it is not just finnesse jiggs that have big bulky skirts, Often it is very easy yo make your own with weedless jig heads and replacement skirts. Often I have found that to be the most ffective way to get my jigs. Oh and cold and hot water times of the year tned to make me slow the fall of my jig.

Peter

i know what you mean about a fast fall with aggressive fish but sometimes it also seems like the only way to get really inactive fish to bite is to blow something by their face at a high rate of speed so they react to it.  they seem to not be hungry and will not eat for that reason, they seem to need to hit it out of instinct.

so i guess i kinda do it the opposite of you.  never any easy answers in bass fishing.

interesting,

matt

Jomatty,

Great question.  Difficult answer.

I have thrown jigs and plastics so they will have a fast fall and a slow fall.

You just have to let the bass tell you what they want.

Then kick yourself in the fanny when you realize all the time you lost trying to figure it out.

Jomatty you don't, it's strictly trail & error  :-/

That's why it's called fishing & not catching  

"That[ch8217]s why it[ch8217]s called fishing & not catching" , Catt  

Amen, brother. Amen.

aggression is the key, the fish will tell you what they like.  Prespawn fish they are hungry so they will probably hit both, Spawning fish you want something that moves slow and holds in the strike zone longer.  

I have heard to use heavy jigs during the day when the sun it at its fullest and the bass are hiding.  That bigger splash draws reaction strikes.