Losing Bass

[BSFisher]

Hey everybody, I've lost two nice bass that I had right next to the boat on two different occasions. I am using a wacky rig with an owner 1/0 wacky jig head. I am setting the hook, or attempting to, but I lose them right before I can get them in. Do I need to go up on my size hook? Or any other suggestions?

[WRB]

How is the hook placed through the.... Senko or worm? Sometimes bass win the fight.

Tom

[Raul]

How sharp is that hook ?

How thick is that hook ?

How thick is that line ?

Ho much muscle that rod has ?

 

A 1/0 hook wacky jighead can be used to hook really good a lot of fish.

[flippinbassinKY]

How hard are you setting the hook, and what is your line size. Sometimes you actually tear the fishes mouth by too hard of a hookset.

[BSFisher]

The hook is right through the middle of the worm and the point comes out. I'm using 8lb fluorocarbon medium action rod with a fast action

[BSFisher]

Here is a picture of the hook. Don't think I am pulling hard enough to rip the hook out of the bass's mouth though.

[Senko lover]

Are you fighting the bass on tight line, aka, not giving them slack? Are they jumping and physically shaking the hook, or is it just popping out?

[BSFisher]

Are you fighting the bass on tight line, aka, not giving them slack? Are they jumping and physically shaking the hook, or is it just popping out?

Tight line, and both times they jumped out and I lost them.

[flyfisher]

jumping creates slack and is when they will throw the hook 95% of the time.  Let them fight a little longer and tire a little more and land them without letting them jump and you will reduce lost fish for sure.

[Senko lover]

Tight line, and both times they jumped out and I lost them.

 

In that case, like Flyfisher said, I'd try to let them wear themselves out before they get close to the boat. Put your rod tip in the water and let them struggle. They won't jump as much then when you get them close to the boat. 

[SudburyBasser]

Sometimes bass win the fight.

 

Truth.

[the reel ess]

I use a Med spin rod that's about 80% backbone, 20% lighter tip. All you need to do with a quality hook is tighten up the line and start reeling. Problem with this rig is the fish will get it deep in there mouths before you can get a hook in them. Then you get it way back in the fleshy parts. On a big bass, that won't hold the hook.

 

Contrary to what a lot of others will tell you, a 2/0 offset shank T rig hook will get them in the lip or jaw more often. And you can give a little more hookset. I listened to everyone on this board about hooks, but that works best for me.

[BSFisher]

jumping creates slack and is when they will throw the hook 95% of the time.  Let them fight a little longer and tire a little more and land them without letting them jump and you will reduce lost fish for sure.

Ok,that makes sense. Figured I was doing something wrong! I will try this out and see how it works, thanks for the help.

[BSFisher]

I use a Med spin rod that's about 80% backbone, 20% lighter tip. All you need to do with a quality hook is tighten up the line and start reeling. Problem with this rig is the fish will get it deep in there mouths before you can get a hook in them. Then you get it way back in the fleshy parts. On a big bass, that won't hold the hook.

 

Contrary to what a lot of others will tell you, a 2/0 offset shank T rig hook will get them in the lip or jaw more often. And you can give a little more hookset. I listened to everyone on this board about hooks, but that works best for me.

Hmm, I will give it a shot. Thanks!

[WRB]

With a Senko the 1/0 hook will fill the gap by about 50% or more hooked through the middle of the diameter.

This is a problem with Senko's and lots of remedies are available. thin tape designed to stick to soft plastics that you wrap around the Senko and skin hook the tape increases the hook gap and improves landing the bass.

Your medium spinning tackle should be OK, set the drag at 2 1/2 lbs and trust it.

Tom

[d-camarena]

You will always lose more fish on the wacky rig. I switched to straight shank hooks and my hook up precentage went up a little

[Catt]

Ya win some...the bass win some

[OkobojiEagle]

Use a net...

 

 

oe

[Cgolf]

I second the net, and when I am doing the catch and release thing, I personally count the fish as a self release if it shakes off as I am lifting it out of the water. I just figure it saved me the time of unhooking it. Saying that it happens very rarely, maybe one or two fish out of 100.

I also agree with the others that sometimes the fish win the battle, makes us want to go back and get them all that much more:) If fishing was easy all the time, most of us would hang it up, the challenge is what makes it fun.

[zachb34]

Really depends on the bait being thrown but usually with a single hook presentation where I know I can get a hook set I keep slack out and try to move the fish closer to me. Once he jumps or gets to the surface I try to see if he's barely hooked or its in there good. If he's barely hooked I keep my rod tip down and to my side to make it so he can't jump as easily. Anything with trebles I keep my rod low and to the side of my body to minimize jumping. You have to find a balance of getting the fish in quickly so he has less time to get free and playing a fish so thy he can't jump.

Its also been side previously but, sometimes the bass do win.

[Bluebasser86]

I like to fish my wacky rigs on a similar spinning setup but with a braid main line and fluoro leader. I lose far fewer fish with it since I switched to braid and I can watch my line so much better now. 

[Neil McCauley]

I've been using a treble on my whacky rigs lately works well. .

 

For some reason mid summer I lose a ton of bass also. Literally over 50% on some days. I think they just have more energy to throw the hook.

[Thornback]

I use all the muscle I can to set the hook. Then keeping the rod bent I reel like a mad demon. Usually when the bass is to the boat they are too stunned to fight. I then lip 'em and bring 'em aboard. IMO the longer the bass is in the water the more chance of losing it. I can't remember the last time I lost a bass after the hook set.

[scaleface]

Hey everybody, I've lost two nice bass that I had right next to the boat on two different occasions. 

At least you hooked a couple . I havent even done that lately .

[WRB]

I've been using a treble on my whacky rigs lately works well. .

For some reason mid summer I lose a ton of bass also. Literally over 50% on some days. I think they just have more energy to throw the hook.

One of the problems with wacky rigged Senko's is the bass swallowing it before you detect a strike, circle hooks are often used to prevent gut hooking. Bass swallows a treble hook it's a dead bass!

Tom