As winter fades and bass anglers begin gearing up for spring, one often overlooked technique stands out: the stall. When water temperatures climb out of the 40s and 50s, the ability to suspend a lure—holding it motionless in the strike zone—can make all the difference. In early-season fishing, when bass are still sluggish and hesitant, suspending lures present a tantalizing target that’s hard to ignore.
Why Suspending Lures Matter Early in the Season
Lures that suspend or “stall” offer a presentation that remains in the bass’s line of sight longer. This quality becomes essential during the colder months or early spring, when fish aren’t as aggressive. Being able to hold a lure in place for an extended period increases the likelihood of a reaction strike from bass still adjusting to rising water temperatures.
A Look Back: How Suspension Changed the Game
Back in the 1990s, most hard baits were designed to float or slow-float, which helped anglers avoid snags in laydowns and brush piles. Floating models dominated shelves at tackle shops like Turner’s Outdoorsman. But then came a breakthrough—Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) baits began appearing in California, and one in particular stood out: the Daiwa T.D. Minnow.
Unlike its competitors, this jerkbait had the rare ability to suspend. While many balked at its then-hefty $17.99 price tag, its premium build and unique action made it a game changer. At the time, only a few models like the Smithwick Rogue offered similar suspension capabilities.
Learning the Art of the Long Pause
Suspending a lure was one thing—fishing it correctly was another. With no YouTube tutorials or social media tips back then, anglers learned from Saturday morning fishing shows like In-Fisherman with Al Lindner and Doug Stange. One standout lesson? Long pauses—up to 30 seconds—between twitches when working a suspending jerkbait in cold water.
This technique broke conventional wisdom. Most were used to quick rips and short pauses. But as demonstrated on TV, those extended stalls triggered bites from lethargic, cold-water bass.
Firsthand Discovery on Lake Piru
A pivotal moment came on Lake Piru in February 1998. Dressed in basketball sweats and casting the T.D. Minnow from a rental boat, an experimental 29-second pause yielded a gentle tick on the line—and the first confirmed bite on a suspending jerkbait. That catch was a turning point, proving that patience and precision could outfish speed and flash in the right conditions.
Applying the Stall to Other Lures
Today, the stall technique goes far beyond jerkbaits. Glide baits, crankdowns like the Strike King XD series, and even modified hard baits benefit from this approach. Long pauses allow bass to inspect the lure and close the gap without it being pulled away. Subtle line pickups often signal strikes, especially when paired with the right line type and retrieve cadence.
Why Bass Respond to the Stall
While the exact science is still debated, there are strong theories. A lure that stalls in cold water mimics the slow, vulnerable behavior of baitfish. For territorial bass, it may appear as an unwelcome intruder loitering too long. Either way, the tactic works—and big bites prove it.
One standout application is with large glide baits. These heavy, often 10-inch lures traditionally couldn’t suspend, but advances in design have changed that. By allowing a glide bait to stall mid-column, anglers give trophy-sized bass a crucial few seconds to decide—often resulting in explosive strikes.
Designing for Suspension
Modern lure designers are now integrating suspension into their creations. One example is the Chapter One Glide Bait by Black Spirit Lures, featuring a modular Tail-Switch system. With options for slow-sinking or slow-floating action, anglers can fine-tune their baits to suspend perfectly for long pauses or brief stalls.
However, suspension isn’t a one-size-fits-all setup. Factors like line weight, line type (fluorocarbon vs. mono), water salinity, and temperature all affect how a lure behaves. Dialing in the exact neutral buoyancy often requires small weights, trial and error, and close attention to detail.
Elevate Your Technique This Spring
For bass anglers looking to gain an edge this season, suspending lures offer a unique advantage. Rather than relying solely on fast retrieves or flashy presentations, mastering the art of the stall can unlock bites that others miss.
Start with jerkbaits and expand into other lure types. Experiment with line adjustments and retrieve cadence. Observe how different lures behave in various water conditions. Through practice and observation, anglers will find that suspending lures—when fished correctly—can dramatically increase early-season success.
Whether it’s a subtle tick after 30 seconds or a hard thump after a long stall, there’s something special about the stillness. Suspended lures, when used with intention, can become a powerful secret weapon for unlocking cold-water bass.
Image/Source: Wired2Fish
