Tail Slapping

[Mac10]

I've had several large bass tail slap a lure on or near the surface in order to stun or kill it. I'd like to know just how the fish performs during this action, meaning shortly before and after the actual slap. Does the fish approach from the side, behind, underneath, near the top or what? Does the fish approaching slam on the front brakes and flip its tail up and out of the water to slap to the side?

Finding out how they do this action will help me gauge how long to pause before setting the hook. I know the fish must have to turn and re-approach the lure to eat it, but am not sure how far it has to go. Your observations and advice will be greatly appreciated. Good fishing, Mac

[smirkplug]

We get some big edjucated bass here out west that seem to slap and not stick to poppers and walkers and never return. Its part of driving you crazy that makes me come back. Ive started to put a single siwash hook with the point turned up like on a plastic swinbait to get a better shot at hooking em. I wish i could say i had patence to wait until i felt the fish prior to swinging on fish but i don't.

[maximusgunn]

I recently had a tournament at lake where bass were guarding fry and I was throwing a swimbait and you could watch 3 4 and 5lbs'ers just come out of nowhere and ram the baits with their mouths closed. It was the most frustrating thing but at the same time was pretty cool. They usually came at the baits from the side though. It would also depend on the bait and depth. I have had fish knock a crankbait sideways on one color then go back through the same area with same color crank except the 2nd one had a orange throat and red gills. I have seen bass make a turn like a Zero turn lawnmower. Hopefully that helps ya a little.

[bladesandbaits]

Here are a couple of things to try.

If you are fishing with a partner, have him follow your top water retrieve with a Single Fluke or Double Fluke rig.

If you are alone have a Front Runner tied on to a similar bait they are slapping,and switch to it.

Also immediatly follow a a missed fish up with a Single or Double Fluke rig.

If ou are not fishing a tournament then just lay the rod down and make the follow up cast rather than reel the bait in and follow up.

Blades

[kylebass91]

Just for an FYI me and my dad fish all the time and if he gets poped like that or swatted at ill throw a slow finking plastic behind him and kinda just twitch it and that normally gets a bite