The stroll: A comprehensive guide to mid- and hover-strolling

The development of forward-facing sonar (FFS) has revolutionized angling. It has allowed hardcore bass anglers to discover untouched schools suspended in open water. Over the past five years, one of the most effective bait styles for targeting these roaming fish has been a soft plastic minnow paired with an exposed jig head — especially baits with a straight or forked tail. However, casting to fish on the screen isn’t as easy as it looks. To consistently catch bass using FFS, you must master the art of mid-strolling or hover-strolling. Mid- and hover-strolling Both mid-strolling and hover-strolling use a light, soft bait on a neutrally buoyant rig to mimic a gliding baitfish. The magic is in the ability of the rig to stay at a specific depth, even when you stop retrieving. When mid-strolling, you're casting out to feeding bass suspended in the water column and reeling baits slowly above their heads. Hover-strolling is the finesse variation, used for bass feeding closer to the surface, and for shallower water. Don’t confuse strolling with damiki rig fishing, or moping, which was made famous by OOD contributor and 2023 Bassmaster Elite World Champion Jeff Gustafson. He won the Superbowl of bass fishing by fishing directly underneath his boat, moving over the fish as he watched them on 2D sonar. “You’re casting to them as you spot them on Mega Live 2 (Humminbird’s Forward Facing Sonar),” Gustafson explained. “We’re hunting for them and casting to the bass before they’re aware of the boat.” How to stroll Strolling is an advanced technique used in conjuction with your forward-facing sonar. The key to success with FFS lies in identifying a bass on the screen, then making an accurate cast just beyond it. As the bait descends, you must interpret the fish’s mood. Watching fish react in real time is both thrilling and frustrating — it quickly becomes clear how many bass are simply not interested. When your bait nears the target, apply tension to your line and rod to suspend the bait just above the fish. Keeping the bait overhead is crucial. Then comes the magic — subtly quivering your rod tip creates a rolling, lifelike action that can be irresistible. Let the fish’s behaviour dictate your pace, shake intensity, and presentation. Each bass is a unique puzzle, which is what makes this method so addictive. Mid-strolling Mid-strolling typically uses a heavier jighead and is ideal