Best Way To Get 'un-Hung'

[Dypsis]

So I mostly bank fish - looking to get a Kayak this winter.  But any tips on the best way to get un-hung from a log or rock that is way to far out to wade near.  

 

I feel like pulling really hard would just make it worse - so little pops?  Thoughts.  I understand I will loose some and that is the name of the game but any tips are appreciated.  

[Catch and Grease]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/144161-what-do-you-do-when-you-snag-a-good-piece-of-cover/

[kikstand454]

Bow and arrow trick works really really well. For the life of me though, I can't find a video of someone doing it for you.

Get yourself in a semi-slack line set up, where you can still! feel the lure but are not pulled tight on the snag. Lift your rod to about a 1.30-2oclock position and then grab your line with your other hand like a bow. Don't pull it back far like a bow though, you just want to get your line tight. Now when you release your line, whip your rod to about a 3-4oclock position at the same time. Repeat.

The theory behind this is your "shooting" a bit of slack down to your lure. The quick momentum of pressure and release, dislodges the snag. This works maybe 80% of the time if your weight or lure is snagged, and maybe 40% of the time if your actual hooks are in the cover.

I use it constantly on c-rigs and crankbaits.

Good luck!

Edit: if you're doing this with a crankbait, when you release, settle your rod for a second pointing at the lure. This is to let the bait backout and float up. When you lift your rod to do it again, go slowly, feeling whats going on, so you don't pull your lure back into the same snag if it has popped out. Also, don't be too surprised when you pull up to check that your line pulls back! I have caught many a fish popping my crankbait out of a snag!

[Dypsis]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/144161-what-do-you-do-when-you-snag-a-good-piece-of-cover/

Wow - thanks!  Should have realized this topic has been brought up before.

[Dypsis]

Bow and arrow trick works really really well. For the life of me though, I can't find a video of someone doing it for you.

Get yourself in a semi-slack line set up, where you can still! feel the lure but are not pulled tight on the snag. Lift your rod to about a 1.30-2oclock position and then grab your line with your other hand like a bow. Don't pull it back far like a bow though, you just want to get your line tight. Now when you release your line, whip your rod to about a 3-4oclock position at the same time. Repeat.

The theory behind this is your "shooting" a bit of slack down to your lure. The quick momentum of pressure and release, dislodges the snag. This works maybe 80% of the time if your weight or lure is snagged, and maybe 40% of the time if your actual hooks are in the cover.

I use it constantly on c-rigs and crankbaits.

Good luck!

Edit: if you're doing this with a crankbait, when you release, settle your rod for a second pointing at the lure. This is to let the bait backout and float up. When you lift your rod to do it again, go slowly, feeling whats going on, so you don't pull your lure back into the same snag if it has popped out. Also, don't be too surprised when you pull up to check that your line pulls back! I have caught many a fish popping my crankbait out of a snag!

I'll go on youtube and try to find some vidoes - thanks.

[Hattrick7]

I've found a little trick that works well sorta close by but not sure if it works far out.

I get as close to the edge as possible. I lift my rod as high above my head as possible with the tip about 11 oclock. With slight tension I will bounce the tip up and down repeatedly and that usually releases the snag. If that doesn't work I'll go to another angle and start over.

Once I feel like I can pop it out I'll give that a try but there's no guarantee there since it may dig further. But for the most part is been working well.

[ClackerBuzz]

i've never actually seen a video made exclusively of bow and arrow release. the only clips i've seen are prohibited here b/c it's a competing site.

[BassAssassin726]

I use an old spark plug connected to a snap swivel and just slide it don my line, shake, shake, shake, got my lure back. Worker from the bank and in my yak.

[Fish_Whisperer]

I use an old spark plug connected to a snap swivel and just slide it don my line, shake, shake, shake, got my lure back. Worker from the bank and in my yak.

Think I will give this a try... what do ya do, thread the spark terminal through the swivel eye and pinch the terminal shut?

[Sam]

Dypsis, sometimes you can't get unsnagged and you have to cut the line.

 

Part of fishing.

[Ratherbfishing]

Talk to John Bobbitt.  I bet he knows.

[Rhino68W]

_{Dypsis, Were you able to find any videos? I know I couldn't and I was wondering the same thing! I am very much so a visual learner, I can read the steps for the Bow and Arrow method but until I see it in action I am lost.}

[EmersonFish]

Think I will give this a try... what do ya do, thread the spark terminal through the swivel eye and pinch the terminal shut?

You can also do this with a heavy bell sinker. Worst case, you lose a sinker and a swivel in addition to your lure.

[Choporoz]

Unfortunately, for bank fishing, I agree with Sam.  Sometimes you're just going to have to cut bait.  By all means, try plucking the bow first; but I have had very little luck with that method -- maybe once out of every ten snags. 

 

As to the spark plug, no reason it shouldn't work well....from a boat.  I've found that my Big Uglies (same principle) work much better the more vertical the line to the snagged lure is.  I've posted it a few times, but once again, I highly recommend checking ebay for Big Ugly Plug Knockers.  They've saved me a ton of money AND made me a better fisherman.  I have a ton more confidence throwing expensive hardware into the thicker stuff.

[Dypsis]

_{Dypsis, Were you able to find any videos? I know I couldn't and I was wondering the same thing! I am very much so a visual learner, I can read the steps for the Bow and Arrow method but until I see it in action I am lost.}

I did find one video that shows a similar technique.

 

[hoosierbass07]

 I read about strumming the line in an In-Fisherman magazine article and tried that a few times while bank fishing and it did work a few times.  It's definitely worth trying in my opinion.  I set the rod down and grab the line with my left hand and pull it a little tight but not too tight, enough to make it straight. Then I strum the line like you would do a guitar.  It's worked for me the few times I tried it.  

[Dypsis]

The problem with that video is 90% of the time I get snagged under the water. I might try the guitar or spark plug method.

[kikstand454]

Bow and arrow works underwater.

That video is great! Exactly how to do it- with a spinning rig. See at the very end where he's doing it repeatedly........? That's the way to go.

Same principle with a baitcaster except hold the rod up a bit higher and let the rod do some work.

Then again. .....I've never tried it pointing straight at it like that and it may work better from shore that way. Try it!