Greg Gutierrez
Dealing With Short Strikes
Friday, May 02, 2008
|
Photo: ESPN Outdoors
California Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Gutierrez says short strikes are most common when there's a lot of natural forage around.
|
California pro Greg Gutierrez cut his teeth fishing western lakes like Shasta that are full of picky spotted bass. He learned ways to deal with short-striking fish that have served him well now that he's fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Here he shares some of the tactics he uses to overcome the frustration of repeated whiffs and instead enjoy the pulsing tug of a well-hooked bass.
What's Going On?
"I think that when you have a lot of natural forage in a lake is when you get the most short strikes," he said. "They already did all their slashing through the schools of bait and now they're just swimming around at leisure, picking up wounded and dying shad. They're not in any rush."
Since the prey isn't getting away, they aren't compelled to vigorously engulf it, and may just pick it up by the tail and swim with it, eventually swallowing it some time later.
"Most of the time you get short strikes, it's when you're fishing a worm and they just pick up the tail. I like to use big worms like the Berkley Powerbait Fat Dover. I rarely use a worm shorter than 5 inches, and more often 6 or 6 1/2 inches. But sometimes they won't get all of that big worm the first time. So I've dealt with short strikes a lot because of that.
"I don't think (short strikes occur) because the fish see the line," he added. "Especially not when I'm using Trilene 100% fluorocarbon. But I do use a small hook, both because it's more natural and so they'll get it in their mouths better."
What To Do
"If they start just nipping at it right from the get-go, I make sharper motions with the rod," he said. "I'll reel and stop it, and they'll just run into it. A lot of times they eat it out of reaction.
"The spotted bass on my home lakes like Shasta will short-strike a lot," he noted. "You feel a hit and you set up and end up with half a bait. So instead, when I feel the initial tick, I'll start shaking the rod real quick until I feel the weight of them or get a really good pop. Then I'll sweep-set on them."
He has other tricks in his bag if the fish won't play tug of war with him.
"The last thing I'll do is modify the bait, like break off an inch or two," he said. "Or I'll change the profile of the bait. For example, instead of using a Fat Dover I'll go to a Berkley Powerbait Wacky Crawler. It has a smaller profile, but still has bulk. If that doesn't work, I'll go to a different style bait altogether, like the Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw.
"The bass have been gathering up these shad, and then I throw this crawdad imitation. Now, instead of picking up French fries, here's a hamburger sitting in front of them. They eat it more. It's a bait they have to work harder to get, and they take it better."
|
Photo: Berkley
Gutierrez often prefers to fish worms that have some bulk, such as the Berkley PowerBait Fat Dover Crawler.
|
That change-up doesn't always work, however. "Sometimes they won't go with you when you change like that," he noted. "Then you might have to consider a color change.
"Green-pumpkin and watermelon are the staples for worms, but sometimes you have to throw a little flash in there. Dipping the tail can make a big difference, but I want them to get the whole bait, so I usually go to a brighter color on the entire worm. I don't want them just keying on the tail.
"And I'm a big believer in scents to attract fish and get bites. Usually when they get a hold of the Powerbait or Gulp!, they really chew on it. They turn it and roll it in their mouths. You can feel the difference between that and the ones that just nip at it repeatedly. Even if I feel like I have to use a different (brand of) worm, I'll put PowerBait worms in with the others and let them soak up the scent, as long as the colors don't bleed."
Notable
> Gutierrez pointed out that bedding bass will frequently short-strike a lure trying to drive it from the nest. Repeated presentations and shaking the bait in the bed can help get the fish to take the bait farther into its mouth.
> "Hook size is a big deal for me," he noted. "Even though I use large worms, I use a small hook, like a size 1. That way when they take the worm they just gobble up the hook with it. Then I use a reel-set, instead of popping it, which can pull it out of their mouths. When they feel you reeling – especially with spotted bass – they'll grab harder when they feel the bait pulling away."
> Berkley sells the Gulp! Alive Spray Attractant separately, and it can be used on other brands of baits.
Top of Page
Return to Menu
