One simple way to increase your odds of catching fish is by ensuring you are starting your retrieve at the right depth.
Too many times as anglers we get so excited about being on the water that we forget the little things that can make all the difference in getting bit or not.
One thing that is often overlooked is starting your retrieve at the appropriate depth.
This becomes extremely important when fishing deeper water (10 feet or more).
If you suspect the fish to be deep yet you're swimming your bait just below the surface, the chances of you getting a bite become extremely low.
The next time you find yourself fishing a lure that requires depth control (spinnerbaits, glide baits, swim jigs, swimbaits, lipless crankbaits, wacky rigs, Alabama rigs) try this simple trick.
Count Down Your Lure
Start by finding either five or ten feet worth of line from your rod tip to your lure.
Use your fishing rod as a your ruler.
If your fishing rod is 7' in length, the 5' mark from your rod tip will normally be in between your first rod guide and your reel.
To find the 10' mark just estimate the remaining 3 foot past the end of your rod handle by eyeballing it and using your best judgement.
Now, with your bail closed (spinning) or reel engaged (baitcaster) drop your lure in the water directly underneath your rod tip, quickly lower your rod tip to the surface, and start counting.
As soon as you feel your line tighten stop counting.
By doing this you should now have an idea for the fall rate of your lure.
Let's say it took 4 seconds for your lure to fall the entire 10 feet worth of lead line used for the measurement. You can now use this metric to figure out when to begin working your lure after making your cast and your lure hitting the water.
Using the above example, if you're fishing in 20 feet of water but the fish are staged around 15' you now know to give your lure a 6 second count down before beginning your retrieve.
Hopefully you see how useful this simple trick can be.
Instead of rushing your retrieve and fishing your lure just below the surface and out of the strike zone, you have now positioned your lure within close proximity of the fish and therefore increasing your chances of getting bit.
It's that easy.
Give it a try the next time you're on the water!
"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." - John Wooden
Time to go catch em'!
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