Identifying Fish On

Identifying Fish On is using rod feedback to distinguish between a lure hitting cover, getting nibbles (investigations) from bass and other fish and when fish has committed to consuming the lure – Fish On. 

Why is Identifying Fish On Important?

Identifying fish on is important to:

  • Know When to Hook Set: As not identifying when a fish on will result in the bass “spitting the lure” as they detect something is wrong or a gut hook as the bass swallows the lure  typically resulting in cutting the hook off the lure or the death of the fish.
Identifying Fish On Options
  1. Do I Feel Cover?
    • Stop and Wait: When you feel something, stop the retrieve, remove the slack but keep the line semi-taut and wait to feel or see movement. If no movement it was likely cover. If movement – Fish On.
    • Stop Feeling Cover: When using the drag retrieve and you stop feeling the bottom with the lure the bass has bit and is swimming towards you – Fish On.
  2. Do I Feel a Nibble? Bass interested but not yet committed. Video evidence shows bass will attack a lure before biting it presumably to wound or taste the perceived forage.
    • Slack Line & Feel a Tab: Wait, check for weight/movement, no rush, if yes – Fish On. If no – wait before commencing the retrieve.
    • Tight Line & Feel a Tab:
      • Some suggest if you feel a tab – Fish On
      • Some suggest, quick pause and check for weight, if yes Fish On.  If no, either stop the retrieve thus mimicking a wounded/scared forage, or pop the lure to mimic fleeing forage. 
    • Other Forage: Continued nibbles could mean bait fish, gobbies or other forage. Some suggest the active forage is good and the activity will activate nearby bass while others say if forage is active there is no bass nearby.  
  3. Do I Feel a Bite?
    • Stop and Slight Tug: Also called “Wait for Weight” choose to stop the retrieve, remove slack if any, and give the lure a slight tug and if there is weight. Some call it a “spongy feeling”- Fish On.
    • Line Watchers: Some anglers watch the fishing line for abnormal movement, some refer to themselves as “line watchers”. When the line moves abnormally – Fish On.
    • Tight Line goes Slack: Fish bite and is traveling towards the boat creating slack in the line – Fish On.
    • Slack Line Strikes:
      • Line Jump: A bass opens his mouth which creates a vacuum essentially sucking the lure into the mouth. This will cause the line to “jump” a tiny distance on the surface when there is slack line – Fish On
      • Bite on the Fall: If the lure doesn’t hit the bottom – Fish On.
        • Hop: When hopping a lure and at one of the hops don’t feel the bottom – Fish On.
    • Change in Lure Feel: First understanding how the lure feels during the retrieve then identifying any change in lure feeling. If yes, check for weight/movement. For example, lipped crankbait or lipless crankbait or any bait that wobbles on the retrieve.
Additional Considerations
  • Finger on Line: With a baitcaster rod and after the cast, place your index finger on the line to feel bass bite. Some can do the same with a spinning rod.
  • Hook Sets are Free. A common saying for those teaching bass fishing as it means if in doubt, set the hook. This will reduce catch rate as it is possible to set the hook too soon.
  • Practice Grass, Rocks, Wood, Etc: When lure visibility is high, take each lure type and practice it on each of the different cover you fish. Also, identifying cover can be accomplished with forward facing sonar.
  • Practice Tip: When on land, cast a lure and with a slack line have someone tap line with a stick to simulate a bass bite.
  • Rod Tip Position: The position of the rod can help identify fish on for example where appropriate a high rod maximizes the feel at the tip and the visibility of the line.
  • Rod Sensitivity: Where appropriate, a rod with Action(Taper) = extra fast rod has the maximum sensitivity enabling the best feel for fish on.

MLF Videos and Articles by Experts
Major League Fishing (MLF) produces videos and articles including:
Videos by Experts

Articles by Experts
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