Today I was casting and pitching my Sweet Beaver into pockets that formed among dense vegetation that nearly mats on the surface. I was trying to maintain a vertical fall so that the lure fell directly into the hole. What's the best way to achieve this? Stripping line by hand immediately after the lure hits the water? Or letting the lure free fall allowing the weight of the lure peel line off? Thanks.  

Unless you're tossing a very heavy weight, it's doubtful that the line will just peel off your reel.  Most of the pros that I've watched will strip it off by hand.  Otherwise, you'll get a pendulum effect when your lure hits the water and it will swing back towards you.

Depending on the depth of the water I usually strip the line by hand, what you need to pay attention to is getting a bite on the fall. I have on occasion had a nice size bass grab my bait run under a log, brush, or grass mat before I could react resulting in a missed fish and a irate Cajun.  

Re: How to maintain a vertical fall   The answer for this usually starts with about 12 ounces of Sousa Tequillia   OHOH I misunderstood your question   my mistake!!!!!!!!

muddy beat me to it, so I'll give a different anwer.

When mats are especially thick sometime I cast my heay weighted beaver to the target but it a high arching loopl  the fall adds speed and penetration and their is plenty of slack line to keep the lure going down straight.

The only way I have been able to really maintain a fall like that is with a spinning reel by leaving the bail open.

Re: How to maintain a vertical fall The answer for this usually starts with about 12 ounces of Sousa Tequillia OHOH I misunderstood your question my mistake!!!!!!!!

"Sauza" tequila Muddy.

3 or 4 banderitas ( a glass of tequila, a glass of sangrita and a glass of lemon juice ) are enough to initiate the vertical fall.  

Re: How to maintain a vertical fall   The answer for this usually starts with about 12 ounces of Sousa Tequillia   OHOH I misunderstood your question   my mistake!!!!!!!!

"Sauza" tequila Muddy.

3 or 4 banderitas ( a glass of tequila, a glass of sangrita and a glass of lemon juice ) are enough to initiate the vertical fall.  

Using the above method, you may not get a "perfectly" vertical fall,

but you'll still be very happy with the results. ;D

Roger

[quote

"Sauza" tequila Muddy.

I can mis-spell in 2 languages now

Don't open your parachute.