3 Simple Retrieves to Bring Your Suspending Hard Bait to Life!

Ever watch a fish follow your lure all the way to the boat… and then turn away at the last second?

That’s usually a sign the fish WAS interested, but never got the trigger it was looking for.

One of the biggest advantages of a suspending twitchbait is the control it gives you over that trigger.

By changing your retrieve, pause length, and lure depth, you can match the way fish are feeding instead of forcing them to chase.

In this video, I’ll show you three simple retrieves you can start using right away to get more bites with a suspending twitchbait.

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Featured Gear:

• Lure: Flea Flicker

Why Fish a Suspending Twitchbait?

Unlike a paddletail or jerk shad that continues sinking or rising, a suspending twitchbait pauses in the water column, often right in front of a fish.

That pause is what makes these lures so effective.

Many strikes happen while the lure is sitting nearly motionless after a twitch, not while it’s moving.

This makes suspending twitchbaits especially effective when:

• Fish are feeding slowly.
• Water temperatures are cooler.
• Fish are suspended in the water column.
• You need to keep your lure in the strike zone longer.

Retrieve #1: Twitch, Pause, Repeat

This is the classic suspending twitchbait retrieve and one every angler should learn first.

Here’s the basic sequence:

1. Cast and let the lure settle.
2. Reel in the slack.
3. Give the lure 2–4 quick twitches.
4. Pause.
5. Repeat all the way back.

The important part isn’t the twitches.

It’s the pause.

Some days fish want only a one-second pause.

Other days they’ll wait five, six, or even seven seconds before committing.

If you’re not getting bites, experiment with:

• Number of twitches
• Length of the pause
• Retrieve speed

Let the fish tell you what they want.

Control Your Depth with Your Rod Tip

One of the easiest ways to fish a suspending twitchbait at different depths is simply by changing your rod position.

Rod Tip Down

Keeping your rod pointed toward the water helps keep the lure deeper during the retrieve.

This works well when fish are holding lower in the water column.

Rod Tip Up

Holding your rod higher keeps the lure working closer to the surface.

Just remember to extend your pauses slightly so the bait has time to suspend and settle instead of being pulled out of the water.

This simple adjustment allows you to cover multiple depth zones without changing lures or jigheads.

Retrieve #2: Slow, Steady Retrieve

One of the biggest surprises for anglers new to suspending twitchbaits is how well they fish with almost no action at all.

Simply:

• Cast.
• Let the lure sink briefly.
• Retrieve it at a slow, steady pace.

The lure’s built-in action creates enough movement to attract fish without any extra rod work.

This is an excellent retrieve for:

• New anglers
• Covering water
• Searching for active fish
• Fishing from boats or kayaks

Many anglers also troll suspending twitchbaits behind the boat while moving between spots and end up catching fish they otherwise would have missed.

Retrieve #3: Let the Current Do the Work

If you’re fishing tidal creeks, river mouths, or any area with moving water, current can become your best retrieve.

Cast upstream or across the current and allow the flow to carry the lure naturally.

Instead of constantly working the bait, simply:

• Keep the slack out of your line.
• Stay in contact with the lure.
• Be ready when you feel the bite.

This presentation shines around:

• Creek bends
• Oyster bars
• Current seams
• Winter trout areas

Often the lure is doing almost all of the work while you simply maintain contact.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

No single retrieve works every day.

Sometimes fish want aggressive twitches.

Other days they’ll only bite after a long pause.

That’s why successful anglers constantly adjust:

• Pause length
• Number of twitches
• Retrieve speed
• Lure depth

Small changes often make a big difference.

Final Thoughts

A suspending twitchbait is one of the most versatile artificial lures you can throw for inshore species.

Whether you’re working shallow grass flats for redfish, targeting speckled trout in moving current, or covering water with a steady retrieve, these simple techniques will help you get more bites.

The best retrieve is ultimately the one the fish tell you they want, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the pattern.

Then repeat it until the bite changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a suspending twitchbait?

A suspending twitchbait is a hard or soft lure designed to remain nearly motionless in the water during pauses. This allows it to stay in the strike zone longer and trigger reaction bites from fish.

What fish can you catch with a suspending twitchbait?

Suspending twitchbaits are excellent for redfish, speckled trout, snook, flounder, and many other inshore saltwater species.

What’s the best retrieve for a suspending twitchbait?

A twitch-pause retrieve is usually the best place to start. Cast the lure, give it a few twitches, pause, then repeat while adjusting your cadence based on how the fish respond.

How do I fish a suspending twitchbait deeper?

Lower your rod tip during the retrieve to keep the lure deeper in the water column. Raising your rod tip keeps the lure working higher in the water.

Can beginners fish a suspending twitchbait?

Absolutely. A slow, steady retrieve is often incredibly effective and requires very little rod action, making suspending twitchbaits one of the easiest artificial lures for new anglers to fish.