Just have to calm dowwwwwwwwn

[Oregon Native]

Last night fished a little tourney and it wasn't long before I had two in the boat for a three fish limit.  But I found myself fishing a little faster wanting that next one and setting the hook a little harder.  (i use braid with leader mostly)  OMG....after I landed the second keeper I could not get one to the boat....it was almost funny (almost)  then.....I broke off two with 25# leaders fishing a poisen jig.  Now I know I'm not supposed to jerk like a maniac here but I did...I'm glad their building rods tough these days!!  The others I was using a brush hog style bait.......usually never this much trouble...oh well....guess I'll watch a 

"MLF" and try to feel better.

[Mike L]

I think it's safe to say anyone who fishes tournament's has done the same from time to time. 

Your whole being is zeroed in on sticking the last one but that's the problem!

 

Dont beat yourself up as it will probably happen again. ??

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Gundog]

Not just tournament participants. I find myself getting antsy after catching fish. Once I caught myself waking a spinner bait because I was so hyped up. 

[papajoe222]

Been there, sort of.  My 'problem' was always when I first start out. It'd take me an hour or more to start thinking straight and being more consistent with my presentations.  Usually it would take getting that first one on and then asking myself what I was doing.  When I couldn't answer that, I knew I was in trouble and I had to slow down.

[Pro Logcatcher]

I have set the hook and hit myself with the fish before. We all do it.

[Troy85]

I get excited after boating several fish as well, seems like even if I'm catching them by fishing super slow, after catching a few I just start speeding up if I don't pay attention.  Especially if I'm fishing a swim bait or a spinner bait, I'll catch 2 or 3 reeling it just off the bottom.  Then it will seem like they stopped biting, that's when I realize that I've sped up and I'm now fishing the top of the water column.  

[Log Catcher]

At least you caught something. I went Tuesday and caught on little rock bass on a spinnerbait. The only thing they would do with soft plastics was nip at them and let go. Maybe it will get better next time.

[All about da bass]

I was in a tournament and I had the same problem except with a hollow body frog. I missed so many fish, I finally got hit in the leg hard enough that it set the hook on me. I was to impatient.

[FordsnFishin]

That was me wed club tournament.  Ansy as could be,  right out the gates lost 4 at the boat.  Right after another in a matter of 15 minutes. 

 

Had to slow down,  and the next hour had 3 keepers in the boat.  Finished in 2nd place. Was  0.14 from 1st, if I just slowed down would have had it. 

[BassNJake]

Usually after I break one off, the next one gets off because I over compensate and use a wimpy hook set.

 

[geo g]

When it gets tough, slow way down, put a black berry U-vibe, or a june bug U-vibe on and crawl it slow along the bottom.  You will catch a bass, and maybe a hawg deep.  Speeding up usually limit your chances on a slow day.

[Deleted account]

Like the basketball player at the foul line, the golfer with the 3 foot putt, or the Washington Capitals with a chance to go up 3-0, and then 3-1 in the playoffs (they're toast), It is the situation that separates winners from also rans. "Bringing it when it counts" is a innate trait, sure one can get better at it with experience and positive reenforcement, but you either have ice in the veins or you don't, and most of us don't.

[Catt]

Our biggest adversary is self!  ?

[Oregon Native]

16 hours ago, BassNJake said:

Usually after I break one off, the next one gets off because I over compensate and use a wimpy hook set.

 

No kidding