Slack Line and Semi-Slack Line for Bass Fishing

Slack Line Presentations for Bass Fishing

Slack Line, sometimes referred to as semi-slack line, is slack in the line is introduced during the retrieve. Slack line can be introduced for long durations of time or for very short amounts of time to produce a desired lure action. One common reference to slack line refers to a long period of time to produce the initial action on the lure and/or to allow the lure to descend vertically. Another slack line presentation is where slack line is introduced for a short period of time for example in the jerk retrieve and walk retrieve to produce the desired lure action. Another presentation where slack line is introduced when the slack needs to be reeled in to help with the process of moving the lure for example the drag retrieve or as part of the hop retrieve. The opposite of a slack line presentation is a tight line presentation where the line to the lure is always taut as it is always under tension.

Why is Slack Line Important?

It’s important as slack line enables:

Lure Action of the Initial Action Lure’s Descents: Slack line ensures there is minimum line interference on the lure action.
Successful Rod Retrieves: Rod retrieves require the introduction of slack line to be effective.
Some Horizontal Presentation Lure Action: Some lure actions are created by introducing slack line including jerk retrieve, walk retrieve and stroking.

Slack Line Options

Slack Line after a Cast: Introducing slack after the cast during the initial action results in:
- Lure Action: Some lures are designed to produce a lure action during a slack line descent.
- Lure Depth: Allowing the lure to fall to the desired depth of the strike zone.
Slack Line During a Rod Retrieve:
- Small Slack Reeling: 1/2 to 1 reel rotation to remove slack. The rod tip movement of 4 to 6 inches. Reel rotations are frequent. Retrieves are walk retrieve, jerk retrieve (jerk retrieves can also be large rod movements) and some would suggest the action that creates the twitch movement introduces some slack line.
- Large Slack Reeling: Multiple reel rotations to remove slack line as the rod tip movement is large. This includes stroking, hop retrieve and drag retrieve.
No Slack Line – Tight Line: No slack in the line during a reel retrieve. Retrieves include straight retrieve, burn, slow roll, wake, twitch and some dead-stick retrieves.

Additional Considerations

Creating Slack:
- Open Bail: An open bail will create slack line and with light lures it may be required to help by pulling line.
- Pulling Line: Pulling line off the bail to help ensure no line restrictions on the lure.
Identifying Fish On: Identifying fish on when there is slack line includes line watching for abnormal line motion including identifying a slack line “pop” or “jump”.
Hook Sets: Common to remove the slack prior to setting the hook.