[O-BASS]

I proved an old theory today while fishing spinnerbaits at a northwestern lake.

Many times after or durring a cold front, north wind or other condition that put fish in negative or neutral feeding moods, i have heard of fish "bumping" a bait rather than attacking and eating it. No, not a case of wrong color or size and the fish telling you to change just a little, but instead something nudging the bait but complete ZERO on the hookset, sometimes twice per cast. Problem is, unless you SEE something happening, you have no proof.

I fished 3 hours and missed almost a dozen bass in that time today while slow rolling a 1/4 ounce spinnerbait. then, becoming increasingly eager to catch at least one of the thump-and-run fish obviously as displeased with the "5-10" mph wind and bluebird sky as I (read: 10-20 out of the north), i just let the fish hit it, and dropped the rod tip and reeled a bit faster.

i landed 6 bass in a 50 yard stretch and missed 2 more, every single one of them hooked in the side of the face. the first one gave me confidence that in fact the fish wanted to eat, but the muddy water, high bluebird sky, endless wind, and generally unsettled weather had thier stomachs in a funk. so they would just "bump" the bait and see what was up. by the third fish, i realized i had proven something today: fish really do bump a lure.

i believe a stinger hook would have changed my 6 fish day into about 18-20 bass, but there is always one thing you leave at the dock...

weekend weather looks better than it has in weeks, but keep this in mind if you head out. if you notice missed fish, give em a jolt with a stinger hook. might make all the difference on the Bumper Bass.

hope you hammer em.

O'
_________________
Strength through Kindness...

[Wanna Fish]

Nice report! Hope to hit Lilly next week with the warmer temps arriving. Maybe Wend/Thurs!

[Aqualung]

Were your stinger hooks still on the dock when you got back???
How big were these "bumper bass" no pictures of these illusive critters?

[Michael]

Great report Mike

[hoppy]

nice report. I always have a trailer hook on the very few spinnerbaits I own and throw. It will double your hookups.

[PECo]

I've stopped using trailer hooks when there are slimy weeds in the water, which has been most places this year. I can't wait for all of the murky waters to settle down and clear up.
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

[perfect hook set]

I like cabbage over springy muck weeds

I recently lost a trailer hook to a pickerel today!

oh and he bumped my spinner the 1st time and then inhaled it on the second cast!
_________________

[chuckc]

I like using treble hooks instead of the conventional trailer hook if your fishing open water. Only bad thing is if they bite is really own you hook everything even the panfish.


_________________

[perfect hook set]

I was thinking about doing that but, is easier to get a single hook out of the throat of a fish then two or three.
_________________