Essentially, the figure eight is a final enticement performed by the angler just before lifting the lure out of the water for another cast.
The figure eight is named after the pattern in which the angler pulls the lure through the water next to the boat in an attempt to get a following fish to bite.
[2] Figure eights take focus; one must anticipate the lure getting close to the boat and make the first turn big and fast.
Turn number two should go away from the boat rather than towards it to avoid being “handcuffed”, where the lure stops its action and the fish loses interest.
Use every bit of the rod length to create a large figure eight with wide, round turns.
The longer rod increases the entire size of the figure eight, including widening the turns.
Additional length helps to keep a very even pressure on the fish at all times, so it cannot break the line or shake the hook loose.