Lost 4 Lures In 3 Hrs.

[Choporoz]

I've mentioned them here before a few times, but I can't say it enough: Big Ugly Plug Knockers.  Not sure how well they'd work from shore, but from a boat, they're golden.  I used one successfully probably a dozen times this weekend.  About 8 times on the same squarebill - thankfully, since that lure was killing them.  Jigs, drop shot rigs, cranks....all saved this weekend by these simple hunks of lead. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIG-UGLY-Plug-Knocker-Lure-Retriever-Quick-Easy-To-Use-NEW-IMPROVED-/331155075605

[boostr]

What if your plug knocker gets stuck?

[OkobojiEagle]

Think of it as an "opportunity" to replenish your tackle...

 

 

oe

[kikstand454]

During the summer, pike were getting me for about $20 worth of lures each fishing day; about twice what I was spending on gas for the boat!

For snagged lures, I bought a couple of plug knockers from the guy who sells them on evilBay. I still need to get them rigged on a strong piece of line and a cheap reel or some kind of spool.

Tight lines,

Bob

I hate gators too. ...real ones. I've lost so many topwaters to submerged gators. ... frogs especially! And cavitrons. And horny toads. Lol.

Desmobob- the answer to your problem is either the aforementioned retracting dog leash, or a chalk line.

[Choporoz]

What if your plug knocker gets stuck?

 

Mine are only a buck and half each, so on the very rare occasion that they don't work, I don't sweat it at all.

[Fishes in trees]

An extendable pole and a plug knocker are both valuable fishing tools that you need to have in your boat.  Neither one of them works particularly well from the bank.  I'd guess that the extendable lure retriever might work a little better, but bank fishing, that's just one more thing to carry.

 

That being said, 4 lost lures in 3 hours fishing time isn't a record.   You are going to have to try harder than that if  you want to set a lure losing record.

 

If you need any pointers on how to set a lure losing record, here are a few:  Use older, more brittle mono.  Insist on the lightest line possible.  Fish in brushy, hard to get to places and maybe you can lose a few lures on the backswing of your cast.  If you are fishing from the bank around brush and cover, using lighter lines and lures, always try to throw into the wind.

 

These tips should help you increase your lost lures per hour ratio.  There are lots more ways to lose lures, but I'm pretty sure you can figure them out by yourself.  Don't forget the old "unlatch the tackle box" trick.

This will allow you to lose many lures without actually getting them wet. 

[Bassun]

Speaking of the more inventive ways to rid yourself of extra lures, small boats and tackleboxes not strapped down is a good method.  More than once I've been fishing the river and seen stuff go floating by that shouldn't be on its own.  I've even on a few occaisions managed to benefit from the purge of extra lures.  The funniest though was many years ago, me and a couple friends were waiding and we started seeing some trash float down the river.  Well, it was out in the current and I wasn't about to head into it, but one of the guys I was with was a phenominal swimmer so he just slipped out in current and started snagging stuff coming by.  It ended up being a parade of bobbers and trash.  I don't know what happened up stream but most assuredly someone lost a few dozen floats. 

 

I don't get too ansy uless I see a PFD - then things change real fast.

[hatrix]

An extendable pole and a plug knocker are both valuable fishing tools that you need to have in your boat.  Neither one of them works particularly well from the bank.  I'd guess that the extendable lure retriever might work a little better, but bank fishing, that's just one more thing to carry.

 

That being said, 4 lost lures in 3 hours fishing time isn't a record.   You are going to have to try harder than that if  you want to set a lure losing record.

 

If you need any pointers on how to set a lure losing record, here are a few:  Use older, more brittle mono.  Insist on the lightest line possible.  Fish in brushy, hard to get to places and maybe you can lose a few lures on the backswing of your cast.  If you are fishing from the bank around brush and cover, using lighter lines and lures, always try to throw into the wind.

 

These tips should help you increase your lost lures per hour ratio.  There are lots more ways to lose lures, but I'm pretty sure you can figure them out by yourself.  Don't forget the old "unlatch the tackle box" trick.

This will allow you to lose many lures without actually getting them wet. 

You forgot to tell him when fishing unfamiliar waters where you not sure of the bottom to "ALWAYS" set the hook any time the rod feels heavy even if you never felt a tick. The big ones have giants mouths and lots of times especially when slow rolling you never feel it so swim for the fences. It is probably a state record. 

 

In all seriousness though what I said about big ones and the rod feeling heavy is actually true. 

[Sam]

Todd, the background in your picture reminds me of the double secret pond I fish.

 

In fact, if I did not know better it could be taken as the double secret pond by someone who has seen it for only one time.

 

And I have to be double careful at the double secret pond as those underwater logs and trees will eat up tackle like candy.

 

I have had to swim out to retrieve a bait or two and get into the sinking paddle boat to retrieve a favorite lure that got hung up.

 

The bass are in the wood and that is where you have to throw your baits so be ready to lose them.

 

If you don't want to lose your baits then fish the shallow end of the pond. You won't catch anything worth while but you won't lose any baits.

 

Please post pics of those big ones you catch.

[primetime]

I alway's plan to fish cheaper lures/Soft Plastics from the bank, even using my cheap spinning rod so I can get it wet and not care. Usually after 5 minutes and hearing fish break or seeing weeds moving in tough to reach areas, I am walking back to my car to get the good stuff, and if I can't get bit throwing a soft bait, I can't help it and have to start chucking lures all over and I like to throw topwaters in ponds, so casting a few spro Topwater frogs into the trees can get you angry until the 4th one results in a good fish, then it is all worth it......I fish in some ponds that I am just glad to leave without a snake bite or getting dragged in the water by an alligator since I am usually alone on the way home from the grocery store when I notice a stormwater pond that happens to have a hole in the fence, and I just have to stop and make a cast....Big fish are just as smart in ponds, so a cheap lure or cheap line is not worth it if you want to land a big one, and landing big fish from the bank is the hardest part imo.

[hoosierbass07]

Two spinnerbaits, a diving crankbait, and a Texas-rigged craw....maybe I'll just fish soft plastics for a while since they are cheap haha.

 

 

  You ever think about getting a kayak?  Once you are on one and fish from one you will be asking yourself why you didn't get one sooner.  They are very fun to paddle around and fish from.  And most importantly, they get you off the bank and to some nice spots.  

[hoosierbass07]

Sounds like me yesterday, but I got you beat by one... Rule number 1 for bank fishing according to me: Buy cheap lures

 

 Yep.  I think you can get spinnerbaits for a dollar or so at Walmart.  Those things seem like perfect bank fishing hard lures if you are unsure you might not get one back. 

 

 Frankly, one reason I love soft plastics so much is because I think they are the perfect bass bank fishing lure, Texas rigged, weightless, split shot, etc...  Perfect for bank fishing and if you get hung up, big deal.  Put on another weight, hook and worm/lizard.  

[desmobob]

Desmobob- the answer to your problem is either the aforementioned retracting dog leash, or a chalk line.

 

 

A chalk line!  Why didn't I think of that!

 

Thanks very much for the suggestions.  I appreciate it!

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[hatrix]

Really if you super worried and are not against it or in love with the line you use just spool up braid. You should be able to bend out most hooks and get it back. Wrap the line around your forearm a few times and start walking back and it should pop out unless the bait it self is caught in between like 2 rocks or something. Depending how close the snag is and how shallow just remember the 5 D's dodge, duck, dive, dip, and dodge cause it might come whipping back at your face.

[Texas Hawg Hunter]

  You ever think about getting a kayak?  Once you are on one and fish from one you will be asking yourself why you didn't get one sooner.  They are very fun to paddle around and fish from.  And most importantly, they get you off the bank and to some nice spots.  

 

Actually, we have a 2-3 person canoe but now that we have an infant we haven't been taking it out until she can handle being on a boat...it's a bit big for one person to handle.  Thought about a sit-on-top fishing kayak.

[Texas Hawg Hunter]

 Yep.  I think you can get spinnerbaits for a dollar or so at Walmart.  Those things seem like perfect bank fishing hard lures if you are unsure you might not get one back. 

 

 Frankly, one reason I love soft plastics so much is because I think they are the perfect bass bank fishing lure, Texas rigged, weightless, split shot, etc...  Perfect for bank fishing and if you get hung up, big deal.  Put on another weight, hook and worm/lizard.  

 

I've tried several of those spinnerbaits and just don't like them.  The blades feel weak in the water to me and they rust easily.

[bmlum415]

Try jig fishing on California reservoirs with a lot of rock in them. I lost 23 jigs last weekend and 4 pocket knocker lure retrievers. Not unexpected when fishing that lake though.

[Texas Hawg Hunter]

wow that's crazy

[*Hank]

Last week I lost a lucky craft pointer,a strike king squarebill,to tubes and a drop shot rig in 4 hours! Can't afford to do that every time I go to the lake:)