PH,
When you see a fish chasing your lure do not change anything that you were doing as this is what got him interested in the forst place, often if you change speed or retreive the fish will leave your lure.
If your fish strikes and misses, then stop immediatly, drop you tip into the water and even feed some line out, often this will induce a second strike.
I like to fish tip town mostly, and usually do not need to strik at all, just lift the rod to the side and then up and reel hard letting the drag and the fish do the rest, with braid you never need to strike, with mono let him run if he is bigger tighten the drag and when you feel it stretch pump up once and reel hard.
Once your fsh is on, NEVER give him slack line, don't play with him, FIGHT HIM to the boat as quick as you can.
Lastley fishing lures with the rod up is mostly for surf fishing with long rods, for most lures from a boat or ski your rod is shorter and you keep the tip down low as a rod held high will almost gurantee and miss strike and slack line, in addidtion the wind will blow a bend also causing you to loose direct contact with your lure and your strike.
Hope this helps.
I never close my eyes.
