The reason for putting your rod tip in the water is to change the angle of your line. If your rod tip is up high when a fish starts to roll or jump he has all the leverage power. By shoving your rod tip into the water 1-3 ft. this changes the angle of your line. Causing the fish to return below the surface again. Try it just once. You`ll never go back to bowing or high sticking when a fish comes to the surface. Good Fishin` Cascade Bob.