One that boggles me is something I have seen happen with winter and summer fish in clear water where I have a decent view of my bait drifting by (straight eggs usually). I'll be casting, sometimes to spotted fish sometimes not, intently following the progress of my bait, tuned in to every tick of lead on the bottom, when all of a sudden the fish goes after the bait eating away with a cloud of milk going everywhere......and I don't feel a thing! No bump, no rubbery tug, no interuption of line speed.....nothing. I'm usually so stunned I forget to set the hook or set to late. This has happened more than once.

I have drift fished for over twenty years and use good equipment. I guess I'm pretty competent.....until this happens. I know what I am doing (or at least think I do) but when this happens it makes me wonder how many fish we all miss or don't feel when we CAN'T see what's going on in the water. I bet we'd be surprised.