I thought I'ld post this after some of my recent experiences and Ronnie's
tournament report. Sometimes when throwing a popper I'll get a failed hook
up or a near miss. Sometimes the fish will hit it again if I have not moved
the popper to far away, and sometimes it will hit a falling bait thrown to
the spot like a senko.

My last two times out I tried something else. A soft jerkbait I made myself
fished at the surface. On any strike I treat it like a frog bite. I drop
the rod towards the fish, reel up slack, and if it starts to get STRAIGHT I
set the hook. I noticed also that a couple times I really thought the fish
swiped at the bait and missed it, but when I let it drop they immediately
grabbed it.

I thought this might be a useful technique for some folks when the fish are
not totally committed to a topwater presentation just yet.

Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com