Loosing The Battle And The Fish.

[papajoe222]

It never ceases to amaze me how bad habits are so hard to break. For years, as a youngster that grew up walleye fishing, my father pounded 'keep your rod tip up' into my head. I rarely lost a walleye after that became my natural rod position.

I was introduced to bass fishing at the age of 19 and continued keeping the Rod tip up during the fight and loosing fish. About the time that fishing shows became popular I noticed that those guys would keep their rod tip much lower, especially when the fish was near the surface. I started imitating them and began landing more fish.

My falling back into that old rod tip up mentality was easy as there was no one to constantly remind me and I still get so excited during the fight that I often forget.

Words of advice from Papa: DON'T DO THAT. You're welcome

[everythingthatswims]

Like the people who just start cranking to close the bail on their spinning reel......(fishing equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard when the reel goes POP!)

[scaleface]

I've lost a lot of big fish by trying to horse them in including two hawgs on back to back cast.

[Mike L]

We all sometimes either forget what we were taught when we started out, or improved upon and refined what we've been taught or even better yet find new ways to do old things.

Dad didn't like fishing and growing up on the So side of Chicago there really wasn't many places to go and learn anyway.

But now in my advanced years Iv'e learned on my own...

Pumping while reeling sometimes does nothing,

I don't need a $300 magnesium, 10 bearing reel or a $400 technologicaly advance fishing rod to catch anything.

Mike

[SirSnookalot]

There isn't a person alive that lands every fish that's hooked.  Discounting fish lost on a jump or having the line get frayed, an experienced fisherman will land the majority of them.  The main key to success is keeping a tight line, and never being intimidated by the size of the fish.  Very understandable when an angler sees big set of gill plates they get nervous.  That's really the opposite reaction to have, that's the time to be cool, calm, collected and take your time. Can't stress coolness and tight lines enough.  

[AQUA VELVA]

All good advice. Iv'e lost really nice fish just because I forgot to check my line for damage. Now I check after every fish. Hooking into a lunker can get your heartbeat going but if you know your equipment is ready for it, just stay calm and enjoy the ride.

[eyedabassman]

Keep the rod tip low to the water and have your drag set wright. alot of fish are lost because you try to hurry the fish and in proper drag settings.I keep my rod tip low or in the water because you reduce the fish's chance to get air born.And when they still jump on me at least I keep there head near the surface of the water. If the rod tip is high you are letting them jump high and you are not in control of the fish,rod tip down or in the water you have much more control!

[SirSnookalot]

Keep the rod tip low to the water and have your drag set wright. alot of fish are lost because you try to hurry the fish and in proper drag settings.I keep my rod tip low or in the water because you reduce the fish's chance to get air born.And when they still jump on me at least I keep there head near the surface of the water. If the rod tip is high you are letting them jump high and you are not in control of the fish,rod tip down or in the water you have much more control!

That is the right tip about keeping the rod tip low, but..................

 

being a fun fisherman I want the acrobatics.

 

Some of my hardest fighting fish do not not jump, the landing can become anti climatic.

Catching fish that go airborn 3-4-5 or more times is an exhilarating thrill, if lost on the jump, so what.  I've had my fun, the fish swims off less stressed, less chance of injury (to both of us), for a fish I'd have released anyway.  Win-win in my book.

[Catt]

While I agree I also disagree!

In the shallow marshes of Southwest Louisiana where depths seldom exceed 24" the bass can not dive, it can only run. I aint gonna fight those bass the same as I would in 20' of hydrilla!

[ColdSVT]

Ive had days where i have boated every fish that bit...i have also had days when i couldnt boat anything. Last year one day i lost at least 12 keeps at or near the boat during a club tourny...one of em was all of 5lbs and would have easily taken lunker...yeah i was cranky that day lol

[J McRae]

I lost three on a recent trip. What happened? I don't know... It's a part of fishing. Yes, it bothered me a little, but I kept going. I'll be making some changes and hopefully it'll help, but it can happen again on the very next trip with the changes.