During one of my overhead experiences I witnessed 3 mid-teen sized bass raise my live-bait to the surface...they were circling it and each taking their turn at tail-whipping it. I cautiously and curiously watched as they just wouldn't swallow it. It was almost as if they were either playing with it, or it (the baitfish) just wasn't ready to be swallowed. When the baitfish had the chance it dove down, got nailed and quickly made it's way back to the surface...it looked a little beat up telling me that one of the stripers had it in her mouth. They rose again but never made an attempt to swallow it. A few more tail slaps and the baitfish started to sink...of course once out of sight, BANG!! Fish on -
Same day, same type of baitfish, same conditions - The baitfish got chased to the surface, slapped by one of the stripers and swallowed immediately by another (different) Striper -
What that tells me, is that in the case of your lure being chased and "swirled" after....either a "dead sticking" method may work...hopefully showing that your imitation baitfish was stunned by the initial attack.....or a continuous steady retrieve showing the baitfish is still trying to escape. Unfortunately we don't always know when we've lost the attention of the following predator. I think if that particular Bass is in the "stun" mode and there isn't much competition around as far as other Bass, she may keep "slapping" it until she's satisfied that it won't give her any trouble when trying to swallow it. As far as it getting hit just as it's approaching the boat or shore tells me that the Bass knows it's entering safer waters and this is her last chance to swallow. I'm sure guys on here have had plenty of situations that went both ways...again, be confident in what your doing. It may work one day but not the next, doesn't mean you're doing someting wrong. Confidence is KEY!
Just my theory -