bumps instead of hits

[ledhead36]

I have been getting a lot of bumps but no solid hits? Changed plugs with different colors even tried to slow it down. They seem to be getting spooked. Any hints?

[Monty]

Last Sunday same problem.
Landed 1 24 inch bass, lost a decent fish and then had at least 10 hits with no hook ups.
Will try much more drastic retrievs and different "hook setting" techniques next time this happens.

[crosseyedbass]

I was fishing with my uncle one night, I kept him asking him why the sea robins wouldn't leave my plug alone. He took the pole next time I said that, yanked it real sharp,, and pulled in a 34" bass. You never know what those taps might be.

[nitestrikes]

Braid is also a lot better than mono in these situations.

[surferman]

If one technique does not work you have to change. Like monty said change the retrieve, or the set up. Eventually the bumps will stop and Hook ups will come.

[surfstix1963]

If you get bumps and are not hooking up stop the plug for a few seconds and if they want it they will take at that time bass are usually trying to injure the prey and get it by the head takes some time.

[jimbob]

That happens to me every once and a while, I usually can catch them by using a floating plug and when I get a bump stop the plug and twitch it a few times let it sit and then retrive it quickly by doing this I can usually hook up.

[wish4fish]

Braid is also a lot better than mono in these situations.

braid is the ****!

[clamchucker]

That happens to me every once and a while, I usually can catch them by using a floating plug and when I get a bump stop the plug and twitch it a few times let it sit and then retrive it quickly by doing this I can usually hook up.

This is a very good technique. I have also had luck when incorporating the above as part of a variable retrieve. People sometimes forget that the plugs we are using are very effective when imitating a baitfish in distress. That baitfish would not be following a steady, direct path if it was dying.

[CharlieTuna]

For all you guys who fish bucktails and have missed strikes, try using a bucktail with a stinger. This should only be used on a smooth as opposed to sticky bottom or you will lose your rig.

[surfstix1963]

For all you guys who fish bucktails and have missed strikes, try using a bucktail with a stinger. This should only be used on a smooth as opposed to sticky bottom or you will lose your rig.

Now theres a secret not too many people know my grandfather showed me that one for those short biting fluke

[baitstealer]

I remembered reading a thread on this. I had such a frustrating night tonight cause I got one short striper but I think I could have caught a few others. They were just slightly tapping the lure. suggestions for when fishing lures and that happened to you guys? Thanks

[dogfish]

That happens to me every once and a while, I usually can catch them by using a floating plug and when I get a bump stop the plug and twitch it a few times let it sit and then retrive it quickly by doing this I can usually hook up.

X2. also upgrade your hooks to a larger size IF the plug permits. And make sure that they are sharp.

[Rip-Plugger]

for those that use barrels to connect the line to the leader those bumps are also very small bass or hickories hitting the barrel.
I have seen it 15 feet in front of me.
seems to help to use the smallest barrel possible.
I use the tiny but,strong tsunamis the type that look like a sleeve with rounded ends.
at times they still hit it but,much less than with a normal sized barrel.
also the gators will hit the barrel too resulting in a cutoff,,have seen that too where the leader is cut 2 inches below the barrel.
even so if you don't use a barrel and connect with a knot they can see that too and will hit that.
it's amazing what a fish can see in the dark.

[Rip-Plugger]

I also will add that sometimes the fish is not hungry and snaps at the offering just to spook it from their feeding window.
I have seen trout and smallmouth do that,,,protecting their feeding zone from outsiders and even smaller fish coming too close which threatens their feed.
I am going by observations and by fish being territorial at times,maybe not all the time but, at "special" times.

[williehookem]

Great advice, thanks. I had similar issues last night

[buckethead]

Braid is also a lot better than mono in these situations.

Would certainly agree on that. When they are light hitting fish braid gives you a superior advantage.

[cowherder]

awesome info, thanks for sharing.