Tip - Wake Baits and Ambush Spots

               Here is a great technique for fishing Wake Baits from shore. Cast parallel to the shoreline, as close to the bank as possible and keep moving about 1/4-1/2 your casting distance each time after the retrieve is completed. 

You're using the bank to offer structure for a predator to use to trap its prey. Doing this offers predators more incentive to pursue your bait, Increasing its temptation. Cast into the wind so your bait is traveling down with the current generated. 

Work your way down the bank and in smaller venues, around the entire lake. 

Note the types of structure, cover and shoreline which held fish for future reference. 

A stick, boulder or even trash like a car tire can offer a predictable detour for bait, and a predator to capitalize. Wake the bait as close as you can past these types of anomalies. Go slow so the bait struggles to swim. Periodic stops suggest that the bait is tiring or dying. 

After moving down the bank, every 2-3 casts, you can cast behind you, along the shoreline, to see if you missed any. 

It's rare that a wakebait is effective just randomly casting to open water. Offering a ambush or funnel spot is part of the equation to any lures success. Once you get the familiar with identifying ambush spots, you can look for deeper ones and fish it with baits that run at those levels, all the way to the bottom.

I've included a link to a video that demonstrates the technique with a S-Waver glide-bait. A wakebait is the best way to learn the effectiveness of the concept because you can see the action as it unfolds.

https://youtu.be/oCv-uXPQViM

A nice post spawn bass that fell for a Live Target Pumpkinseed Wake Bait using this technique at night.