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Anglers need some patience, self-control
Bass anglers who want to up their score this season will do themselves a big favor if they learn to exercise patience and self-control.
Surface action is undeniably irresistible. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are suckers for tantalizing topwater lures. They smash them so ferociously that anglers often are startled out of the tedium that can overtake a fishing day.
One second the lure is dancing on the ripples. Then it’s attacked in a swirling splash, complete with audio and visual special effects that light up the senses of the unsuspecting angler.
Too often, we strike back prematurely, thanks to the spectacular hit that even a bare keeper-sized bass can muster. Pull too quickly and our lure fails to find a sticking point in the bass’ mouth and sails back to us helplessly unconnected.
Topwater fishing calls for patience and self-control. We must train ourselves to wait before setting the hook after a topwater strike. That, however, is easier said than done.
I enjoyed many days of fine topwater fishing during the past season on the Ohio River and Mosquito and Pymatuning reservoirs. Ohio River smallies like small poppers and walking baits. The largemouths at Pymatuning and Mosquito wallop buzzbaits and plastic frogs worked in and around the topped-out growths of aquatic vegetation.
But as much fun as surface action is, it is equally frustrating thanks to the blow-ups that come up dry. I caught a lot of topwater bass in 2018, but I also missed a lot, thanks to being a bit too trigger happy too often.
Who can blame us for reacting with excitement about the spectacular opportunity that a topwater strike presents? But I also can vouch for the great disappointment that falls over the angler who fails to hook up when it seemed like a sure thing.
I plan to increase my topwater hook-up and landing ratio in 2019, so I’ve been practicing. Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to get in some good topwater time while visiting Florida waters.
Anglers who want to become more effective with a certain kind of lure know the best way to do that is to take just that lure to the lake. So off I went last week with just one rod to which I’d tied a venerable Pop-R.
With just one lure to offer, I had no choice but to cast it and it alone to the spots I suspected might hold largemouth bass. It was that or nothing.
So I fished the Pop-R, starting in the cadence that has worked for decades. Pop, pop, pop, pause … pop, pop, pop, pause …
Five minutes transpired before the lure disappeared in a splashy swirl. Instinct took over and I reacted with a jerk, pulling the lure away from the bass. Oh, the agony. We who fish for bass know the feeling.
Minutes passed and another bass erupted under my Pop-R. I resisted the immediate urge to pull. Then after three or four seconds I set the hook into the jaw of a nice 2-pounder.
Patience is a virtue for the topwater angler. Practice self-control. Wait for a moment after you see the strikes. Then give them all you’ve got and chances are good your hooksets will connect solidly with more largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Play the waiting game. Whether you are working a popper, walker, buzzbait or frog, fight the impulse to pull the moment you see the fish blast your bait.
Perfecting your patience takes practice. Fortunately for us anglers, the practice sessions are just another fine excuse to go fishing.