Wade Bourne: It's a typical scenario in bass fishing. A bass explodes on a topwater lure, but it misses! The angler may or may not have set the hook, but if he did, there was nothing there. In either case he is left disappointed and wondering what to do next.



All may not be lost if he has a follow-up lure ready to cast back to the spot where the bass struck. This is a slow-sinking lure such as a plastic stickbait, a Senko, a weightless worm, etc. Many times, a bass that misses a topwater lure is still lurking around and in an agitated state. When a follow-up lure hits the water and starts slowly sinking in front of his nose, he'll attack with a fury!

The key is to have the bait rigged and immediately available, typically on a rod laying on the casting deck of the boat. Reel the missed topwater bait in quickly, lay that rod down and pick up the one with the follow-up lure. Cast back to the exact spot where the strike came, then engage the reel and wait as the lure settles. If nothing happens, twitch the bait slightly. And always watch your line! With a follow-up lure you may not feel the strike, but you can see your line jerk or move off sideways. If any bump or line movement whatever is detected, reel up slack and set the hook! The bass that missed the topwater lure has inhaled your follow-up bait, and your missed opportunity has just turned into "bare knuckles brawl!"

 

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