Presentation

Fish are like toddlars, they constantly need to be entertained, you have to keep them interested as long as you can before they bite. That is why the key to fishing is presentation! This is a vital step when using dead bait or lures. Presentation is ever too true when you are fishing for large and smallmouth bass. But remember, if you don't want the fish to find out that your lure is a fake or you don't want him to lose interest in your dead bait don't keep doing the same routine over and over, put some spice into your reeling pattern! play with your rod a little! keep thinking of new ways to impress those fish! for example, what I like to do is cast, let it sink, reel in three times then Jerk it! Sink, reel three times Jerk! see what I mean? You have to play the fish just right before he attacks your lure. Sometimes I will constantly shake my rod and spin it around in circles as I'm reeling in. You have to keep it up while trying new patterns every time you cast.
Remember one more thing, just like the key to fishing is presentation, the key to presentation is patience!

You may have better success using a spinning reel