I explained to my friend that I have learned letting the lure pause at times can prove to be productive. In fact, I have had some unsuspected hook-ups after getting sidetracked, only to be surprised when a fish smashed my “stagnant” lure. Other times, these pauses are deliberate. I have had much success after a hard strike in which the fish missed the lure or I was late on a hook set. Occasionally when this happens, I will let the lure sit for a few seconds and then begin my retrieve. Many times after the first couple of bumps, the fish will smash it again.

Depending on the circumstances, I will also let the lure sit for a few seconds when it hits the water after making a cast. Last year I spotted a small spot of nervous water while sight fishing. I made a bad cast right in the middle of it, and baitfish scattered. I allowed the lure to sit for a few seconds, and before I even began the retrieve a redfish struck - it was ”Fish on!”

Give it a try and see if it works for you. As fate would have it, my friend hooked up on a nice red not even an hour after our conversation. The fish struck hard but missed the lure. He let it sit for a few seconds, and again started the retrieve. He only had a chance to pop it a couple of times before witnessing the fish take it down again – “Fish on!” He paddled over to me afterwards just to say he was a believer in “letting it pause.”