Winding new line on a reel tonight, I was reminded of this topic. It's pretty simple, yet it will help you tremendously upping your landing rate. There's two parts.
Note: This mostly comes into play after the fish bites; that aspect has it's own intricacies.
Factor #1: Variables in fishing.
These are things we can't control. Wind, cold fronts, storms, bass with lockjaw, boat problems, fish behavior, etc. The list could go on and on and on.There is nothing-to-very-little we can do about these (if you can control weather, please send me a PM!). Accept these as part of the sport. Move on to #2.
Factor #2: "Controllables."
This is what we can do. We can use good quality line that won't snap under the stress of a big bass. We can tie good knots that will stay in place even under the greatest of pressure. We can use that line to tie on sharp, top-of-the-line (no pun intended) hooks that won't bend or break. We can use sensitive rods that help us feel a bite. We can take pains to ensure that bass jump as little as possible. We can learn how to fight fish properly to ensure that the hook doens't pop out. We can take a little longer to land a lunker by turning down the drag and playing it safe. We can even combat the variables in fishing (factor no. 1) by learning about them as much as we can. Look at the pros. They don't mess around with cheap equipment because a mechanical failure could cost them thousands of dollars. They go into great pains with every detail to make sure that once the bass bites their bait, they'll get it in the boat. We probably don't fish for 100 G, but it applies to us as well.
Bottom line: There's SO much we can't control in fishing. There's a little we can control. So make sure you do .
Disclaimers: Obviously the term "control" is not necessarily 100% accurate, as sometimes the bass have a mind of their own.
I don't claim to know everything, but I've sure learned the hard way on this. I used to use the cheapest hooks I could find. Now, quality hooks are replacing my crappy ones. I used to buy the cheapest line to save money. I wish now I would have spent more when I broke off a nice fish! I don't pretend to say you can't have fun and enjoy fishing with lower-end equipment, I was living proof of the fact that you can. But if you want to do your best to land fish and not lose lunkers, try looking at the things you can control and control them to the best of your ability.
