Cashing in on follows

[Mike Rowan]

My last few trips out on the river and harbour I've raised multiple fish (each within minutes of eachother), but failed to convert the fish before my time on the water was up. These are fish that came in quick and even have kissed my bait before darting back down. With my experience on the Larry, quietly sliding off the spot and returning in an hour, or at the next peak moon phase with slow but erratic rubber baits has been the ticket at another shot at the fish. My figure 8s seem to convert fish way more often up there too. But not so much here at home.
My question is, do any of the other diehard casters out there find it better to leave a fish alone until dark, the next day, or even next trip out? On the st lawrence I believe fish move around a lot rather than calling one area home, as I've never witness a fish I believed to be the same one more than a few hours after the first appearance. Is that the general consensus here too? Or will they stick around a while? And do you guys change it up or throw what they wanted the first time back at them

[Scott McKee]

I've had success on resting following fish for a few minutes and then trolling back through the area where the follow occurred. Since I generally chuck hard-bodied baits, I usually troll back with the same lure the fish followed. Troll through the area a few times before giving up on the fish.

[John Pensyl]

There are certain spots on the river that I feel i can slide up on and get a fishbto show itself almost any day of the week. These same fish rarely eat no matter what the scenario. Ive found other spots over the years that just produce strikes time after time so thats kind of where i made my changes as my experience progressed. Also some baits here on the niagara simply produce follows and rarely hits. Twin 10s here on the niagara for example are a brutal tease. 100+ follows to finally produce a damn strike. Very difficult to get these fish to go boatside as well 95% of the time. Honestly my best solution was just narrow it down to spots that produce strikes and baits that they eat and don't follow. It's fun to see a bunch of fish each trip out but it gets too frustrating. You want to see fish? Clip on a walleye pounder and roll up the US side of the strawberry humps when water temps hit about 50-53. You will move every big fish in the river, maybe 1 of 30 will eat.

[Mike Rowan]

Thanks Scott, I'll give trolling an educated fish a try. I'm usually very reluctant to troll because I don't have a kicker to do it with and I'm also a bit of an adrenaline junkie which is why I love casting haha

[Mike Rowan]

Ive started to realize that with the 10s haha I've had my heart broken several times this year. I appreciate the words of wisdom. I guess I have to make some changes in my go to box. It feels like an endless battle figuring out the behavior of these fish especially since I havent focused on my home waters until 2 years ago. At least they show up and keep me motivated