Why do Bass hit a moving bait with mouth closed?

Question
Why do the Bass hit a bait with their mouth closed.  Should a fisherman change the color of the lure, or is the Bass just trying to kill the ofering.

I am a tournament Bass fisherman.  I fish TN., MISS., ARK. and AL.

Answer
I am not an expert on fishy thinking but my guess would be that the fish is trying to stun the thing that it attacks with mouth closed.  I have seen TV shows showing certain salt water fish and mammals do this and it is certainly to stun.  Some use their tails to stun prey.  In the case of a bass it could also mean that the bass isn't hungry but something has invaded his territory sort of like deer, elk and other wild animals.  They are either protecting their turf or fighting over females.  A bass could be protecting his nest.  I have seen them bump bluegills when the latter get to close to the nest.    It might be a good idea to repeatedly cast to the same place until the bass gets mad enough to open his mouth.

All of the above is simply my idea with a few observations.  You might need to contact someone who has studied fish much more than has been my opportunity.  There may be reasons that I have never thought of.

I hope this has been of some help and thanks for calling on me to try to answer your question.

I am
Jack L. Gaither        (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia