Bass eating as soon as the swimbait hits the water

[everythingthatswims]

Does this happen often? I was worried my bait was spooking fish when it landed, then one ate it before I engaged my reel...It has happened more than once, and I am wondering why a bass would eat a trout that fell from the sky?

[Luke V.]

Bass are used to seeing birds try to pick up fish and drop them, they have to act quick before the bird returns.

[Bonesaw]

I think their instinct kicks in. A splash draws their attention and seeing the profile sitting there they don't know/care for a few seconds if a bird dropped it or another fish smashed it or whatever. They see a stunned fish and eat it.

[Fishing434]

Its happened to me a handfull of times... it's only happened though when im tossing 9" slammers for some reason...? haha but its a good feeling!

[Triv]

Some fish come toward the commotion looking for a quick meal. I tend to twitch or rip the bait right after landing to make it look like a fleeing fish.

[waynem]

I've had it happen 3 times this year with Hardgills. Missed the first one but got the last two and all were 5+ pound fish. These were all shallow water fish that hit immediately as the bait touched the water. After that first miss, I now pay particular attention when the bait lands.

[cowbysfn22]

Ive had it happen, like the posters before me said, its an instinct thing, and a lot of fun

[smalliebigs]

Happens a bit, and when it is really fast I think it is just a "knee jerk" reaction when a bait lands right next to them.

[sammyf74]

I've had that happen quite a few times. I think the bass thinks something else (another bass) was on it and the instinct to attack kicks in. Reaction.

[2833-34497]

It's happens allot to me also, the fastest time I swear my bait hit the water and bam as fast as it landed the LM was on like instantly, no time lapse it seemed

[hookedup]

Its never happened to me but I have had two fish this year on glide baits that hit almost immediately after starting to reel, like one or two turns. They must have went up to the bait when they heard the splash because I usually just cast and retrieve not letting the bait sink. I think in general, the splash gets their attention rather than scaring them away.

[Bassindon69]

Just happened the other day (on video) like playing catch. Hit a 250 and the fish may have been 2 lbs at most lol

[damian_mb]

Happens a lot when I throw my baby wake

[tybo jones]

Happens to me all the time. Sometimes it feels like they know its coming and they're waiting with their mouth open ready to pounce

When they are holding real tight to shore it tends to happen more often. It helps you to keep you on your toes.

[C_R_TX]

I find on shorelines with overhanging tree branches fish pay more attention to the surface and act quickly when anything drops from the overhead structure. They are used to other little critters dropping in, especially with willows. A willow with shade is one of the first places I will check on a warmer day.

 

Any artificial light from a dock seems to do the same thing. The fish are used to insects dropping in at night time.