Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Recently I started to research the many rate of fall (ROF) formulas for certain heads. Many indicate the rate of fall for a 3/16 oz head about 12-18" per second, however it would seem to me the ROF slows depending on water density, and trailer used which was mentioned in several of the formulas quite clearly. What isn't clear is the ROF with a skirt vs no skirt. A jig head with a beaver (line size the same) would fall slower than a Robo worm. Same for pork vs plastic.
So how do you guys determine your ROF or does it matter?
TL
FE
PS Happy New Year Y'all, May 2025 be the year you break your PB.

I go by the 1ft/second fall rate on all baits under 1/2 ounce. Has always worked for me. How about u hook up what ur using and throw it out there and count it down till it hits a hard bottom and go from there. I don’t know that an exact count is necessary-just helpful when ur fishing deep.

Rate of fall is a very critical thing....Since speed makes the fish react and do something they wouldn't normally do but is just a reaction I walk to my swimming pool for those answers. Some baits have different fall rates of themselves. Even a senko can fall fast or slow depending on how it hits the water. I take an average and go from there. Best to let fish tell you what they want on any given day for the speed aspect of presentation.

Kelly Ripa wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2024 9:19 am Rate of fall is a very critical thing....Since speed makes the fish react and do something they wouldn't normally do but is just a reaction I walk to my swimming pool for those answers. Some baits have different fall rates of themselves. Even a senko can fall fast or slow depending on how it hits the water. I take an average and go from there. Best to let fish tell you what they want on any given day for the speed aspect of presentation.

Word, now that i have a swim pool i test different ROF and actions in reel time. Even hook placement or weight placement on a bait will determine the ROF and action. But typically in the water I will peel out a few feet of line and count it down. Although it can be very important dont overthink it - just keep making adjustments until the fish tell you THUNK then set the hook.

“Every time I have those green fish figured out they prove I don’t” Bill Murphy.
ROF matters when it does it helps me to determine strikes on the fall you don’
Check ROF out at the ramp known depth and count the fall down by watching the line jump slack.
Tom