The Rat-L-Trap guy: Here is a technique that has that has been used by fishermen, for as long as I can remember and still works today. A 1-ounce silver Rat-L-Trap is ideal when you’re wanting to fish deeper water. It’s just a question of throwing it out, counting for five or a six-second countdown, giving it a chance to sink deeper in the water before starting your retrieve. Yes, it’s a pretty big lure, but you know what they say the larger the lure the bigger the fish. As we all know for each crank of the handle, we are shortening the line and bringing it closer to the surface. So if you want to cover more deep water on the same cast, real a few wines, then let the lure sink again and then reel again. And you might be surprised at how many strikes you get just as the lure is settling back down again. However, like catching any fish you need to always be alert to a strike and ready to set the hook.
There’s probably not a fisherman living that hasn’t had a fish, specially bass, throw a lure after you thought you had him hooked.
You can prevent most of that by always keeping a tight line as you reel in your fish.
I’m totally sure that there are some old salts out there that have forgotten more about fishing than I ever knew. However, I believe some of my tips will cause some of the older hands to renew some good fishing habits that they have even forgot about. And certainly for the beginner or the fishermen who have not spent that much time on the
water they will pick up some new ideas. Over my lifetime, I have caught probably 98% of my fish in 2 to 10 foot of water. Can I tell you where the fish are going to be at any given time??? Maybe I can do so 10% of the time. That’s why I love making those long cast covering lots of water and let the lure find the fish. If I get a strike, I go right back out to the same general area and maybe do so several times. Fish are not necessarily the brightest creatures on earth. If you get a bump, or even a nice strike but not a hook up, don’t be afraid to go right back to the same area and try again. I’m reasonably sure I’ve caught the same fish on the second try.
Here is a little fish story that will get your fishing buddies shaking their heads at you and then laughing. Hold your hands out about 3 feet apart. Then say to your buddies, I caught a bass yesterday [then pause]. They’ll be looking at the distance you have your hands spread apart [pause again] then calmly say about that this far from the bank. This one’s always good for a laugh. Fishing has always been a pleasure to me whether I’m actually on the water, tending to my fishing gear, or just talking about fishing.