How to fight a large bass

[Jaderose]

All of the above but sometimes you just gotta give them a tip of your cap and a fond farewell with a warning that you'll be back.  Tell them your name is Ishmael.

[txchaser]

This helped me a bit:

Right after you get the hookset and get the fish moving your way, check your rod position. Often you'll need to reel fast enough to get the rod back in fighting position, in particular not above your head or way behind you. I see (and did) the hookset and keep reeling and never put the rod back in front of me with the tip in place where you can pull 4-5 feet of slack out of your line with your wrist. If that fish jumps and your rod is still way high or back from a hookset, there's nothing you can do. 

 

Point being, just watch what you do with your rod after your hooksets - you may find you aren't returning to a ready position.

[the reel ess]

The first thing is sharp hooks and a good hookset. If you're not using premium hooks like Gamakatso, at least sharpen them. Not that I change out all my trebles. I don't, but it can definitely help. Case in point: The Whopper Plopper.  It has the best trebles in the business and I don't remember losing a single fish on it once they're hooked. And have your drag set right.

 

If the fish goes right, leverage low left with the rod. If it goes left, leverage low right. Watch Bill Dance. But eventually you have to hold the tip up to land it. And things happen. 

[schplurg]

On 4/9/2021 at 10:01 AM, WRB said:

4. I don’t believe in sticking the rod under water to prevent a bass jumping, you lose control.

 

That's a great point. Thank you.

[Bankc]

On 4/9/2021 at 2:03 AM, RDB said:

I agree with this.  Lot’s of good advise to try to reduce jumps but they are going to happen.  The problem when they do is not only can they throw slack in the line but the head shakes can cause the bait to flop around.  That’s one reason why it’s harder to keep bass pinned on heavier lures like flutter spoons.  My best success is to keep the line tight and when they surface, pull the rod tip away from the fish as you continue reeling.  By pulling away, you can keep additional tension to reduce lure flop, lessen the slack, and pull the head toward you to get the fish back in the water.

That's close to what I try to do.  I keep the rod tip down, but not so much to as to keep the fish from jumping, but rather so I have someplace to go when they do.  So when the bass jump, I'll pull back on the rod, almost like a hookset, but not as quick or hard.  The idea is to keep the rod flexed and pressure on the line so they don't have a loose lure in their mouth that they can fling out so easily.  You're not TRYING to pull the bass across the surface when they jump, but you will pull them a little bit.  It's a bit difficult to get the timing and amount of pressure down.  You also want to start your pull just before they break the water.  So you kind of have to predict what they're about to do.  

 

And even if you get it all right, you'll still loose some fish.  It's just the way it goes.  

[DaubsNU1]

12 minutes ago, Bankc said:

The idea is to keep the rod flexed and pressure on the line so they don't have a loose lure in their mouth that they can fling out so easily.  

 

And even if you get it all right, you'll still loose some fish.  It's just the way it goes.  

 

For me, it all starts with the "magnum-opus" hookset, as my good-fishing-buddy used to say! Drive those hooks in deep!

 

I then try to gauge the "feel" of the fish...is it a dinker I can muscle in to the boat...or have I hooked a lunker, or a pike/Musky by chance?

 

If it's a big-un, I get my rod pointed roughly 45 degrees from the water...if the fish makes a run I can lower my rod tip and give her room, while still keeping the line tight. If she runs towards me a I can raise the rod and reel, again keeping the rod tight. 

 

Once the fish is done fighting and gets close to the boat, rod tip up...just in case makes one last run. I always keep my hand on the handle...I've seen waaay too many rod tips broken by fishermen who are trying to land a fish and grab towards the top of the rod...SNAP!

 

Tight lines friends!

 

 

 

[Ravox]

I remove all the barbs of my hooks and I rarely miss a fish, i believe the idea the to be consistent on reeling the fish back, don't do pauses or give the fish a chance to mess

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, DaubsNU1 said:

For me, it all starts with the "magnum-opus" hookset, as my good-fishing-buddy used to say! Drive those hooks in deep!

I'm still reeling and sweeping, but now I'm gonna go listen to the whole B side of Left Overture.

[Bird]

Just this past Friday, lost my best fish of the year. 

It actually jumped and shook a treble hook......it happens. 

 

To stiff a rod can work to a fishes advantage also.

[king fisher]

I never loose big fish.  I have perfected the LDR technique.  For those unfamiliar with this highly skilled technique, LDR stands for Long Distance Release.  In general, the longer distance the release, the bigger the fish, and the better the story.  It is a real shame that no state allows LDR fish to be entered as records.  If they did my name would be in many record books with multiple species.

[Big Hands]

1 minute ago, king fisher said:

I never loose big fish.  I have perfected the LDR technique.  For those unfamiliar with this highly skilled technique, LDR stands for Long Distance Release.  In general, the longer distance the release, the bigger the fish, and the better the story.  It is a real shame that no state allows LDR fish to be entered as records.  If they did my name would be in many record books with multiple species.

It's good to know it now has an official acronym since so many of us have been practicing it for so long.

[livemusic]

I like to let bass run, it's enjoyable to me. I try to steer them clear of logs, trees, grass, keep them in open water. It seems they will head for open water usually. I try to keep them from jumping but sometimes you can't. And if they get off, no big deal for me these days. I am going to put them back anyway except I keep some smaller ones sometimes to eat. I am amazed at how hard bass can pull. Ones I am catching lately on a certain lake, those suckers are incredibly strong. Fun! I caught 13 this afternoon in two hours. Several 3 to 4 lbs, super strong fish. I lost a real big one couple of days ago. When she headed up to jump I knew it was trouble because it was a chatterbait and I could just see that fish throwing that rather heavy lure and she sure did. It was between 6 and 8 lbs I'd say. Oh well, caught several good ones that day, too.

[A-Jay]

This a clip from yesterday.

In less than ideal conditions, a respectable brown bass goes in the net using some fairy light spinning tackle.

Bait was a small jerkbait with #6 hooks. 

Allowing the gear to do it's job can be very beneficial and being patient is key.

Especially as the bass gets closer to the boat. 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

[Bluebasser86]

On 4/14/2021 at 9:48 AM, A-Jay said:

This a clip from yesterday.

In less than ideal conditions, a respectable brown bass goes in the net using some fairy light spinning tackle.

Bait was a small jerkbait with #6 hooks. 

Allowing the gear to do it's job can be very beneficial and being patient is key.

Especially as the bass gets closer to the boat. 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

This is a great example of what I mean when I'm talking about staying calm. Light line and big fish is a recipe for disaster if you don't stay calm. Horsing them results in pulled hooks, or broken line. Stabbing at them with the net is asking for the hooks to get tangled and ripped free. Instead, sit back and let your gear work and accept that those big ones take a little more time to get landed than a typical fish. 

 

It takes practice to keep your cool with a big one on the line though. 

 

[Choporoz]

On 4/14/2021 at 10:48 AM, A-Jay said:

This a clip from yesterday.

In less than ideal conditions, a respectable brown bass goes in the net using some fairy light spinning tackle.

Bait was a small jerkbait with #6 hooks. 

Allowing the gear to do it's job can be very beneficial and being patient is key.

Especially as the bass gets closer to the boat. 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

Thanks, @A-Jay.  Informative....for anyone who wands to land more fish

[Surfcaster79]

Rod tip up...keeping tension slowly lowering tip as your reeling in, once your rod is about 30 degree angle, lift rod back up, rinse and repeat. You  let the rod bring the fish in, your just reeling in the line, all while under tension. Has worked for 40lb plus striped bass in big current with tons of big rocks all around. 

 

 

[Deleted account]

9 hours ago, Surfcaster79 said:

Rod tip up...keeping tension slowly lowering tip as your reeling in, once your rod is about 30 degree angle, lift rod back up, rinse and repeat. You  let the rod bring the fish in, your just reeling in the line, all while under tension. Has worked for 40lb plus striped bass in big current with tons of big rocks all around. 

 

 

Those dumb things showed up in NY last week, the early season was disappointing in MD, and they closed the fishing through the end of April. I've never seen rednecks up in arms like this.

[Surfcaster79]

6 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Those dumb things showed up in NY last week, the early season was disappointing in MD, and they closed the fishing through the end of April. I've never seen rednecks up in arms like this.

 

 

Oh I know, I been watching the migration, glad I sold all my surf rods and van staal reels, I should say my wife is glad lol... 

 

They closed the chesapeake to fishing? anything to do with the spawn?

[basser27]

4 hours ago, Surfcaster79 said:

 

 

Oh I know, I been watching the migration, glad I sold all my surf rods and van staal reels, I should say my wife is glad lol... 

 

They closed the chesapeake to fishing? anything to do with the spawn?

d**n you gave up striper fishing and just starting largemouth on Long Island? You’re in for more disappointments ....last fall was OK on the beach

[NYWayfarer]

Sharp hooks, good hookset, steady pressure. Fight the urge to horse the fish in unless he is running for cover that can break you off.

 

I have had Bass jump that I was sure I was going to lose. When I landed them I realized they were going nowhere with the hook impaled past the barb in their mouth. Only pliers are getting those out.

[Surfcaster79]

5 hours ago, basser27 said:

d**n you gave up striper fishing and just starting largemouth on Long Island? You’re in for more disappointments ....last fall was OK on the beach

 

been slaying them, it's really no different than finding stripers... Just find the structure and the bait... 

[Deleted account]

12 hours ago, Surfcaster79 said:

 

been slaying them, it's really no different than finding stripers... Just find the structure and the bait... 

No, no. This is LMB fishing, it is different, difficult, complicated, and unrelated to any other fishing... 

Haven't fished Lawn Guy Land in a long time, but we caught lots of big LMB there in several places.

[Boomstick]

Basically keep your line tight, especially when they jump or swim under your boat. I lost what was by far the biggest bass I ever hooked (90% sure it was el mondo) when it swam under the rowboat I was in.

 

And if you don't have good hooks that can get good penetration past the barb, you're out of luck.

[Surfcaster79]

5 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

No, no. This is LMB fishing, it is different, difficult, complicated, and unrelated to any other fishing... 

Haven't fished Lawn Guy Land in a long time, but we caught lots of big LMB there in several places.

 

LOL It certainly does have quite a few lakes and ponds with big fish in them. Too bad I'm moving back to NYC, my quick hits after work will have to wait until the weekend. 

[PhishLI]

On 4/18/2021 at 10:15 AM, BassWhole! said:

Haven't fished Lawn Guy Land in a long time, but we caught lots of big LMB there in several places.

They're still here, but not like it was. The days of blindly catching 15-20 bass in a morning is over unless you're fishing an east end residents-only lake. The residents are sharp, and bad times ahead if a constable catches you. Court date. Fines. You've gotta put in the work everywhere else. Some of the poachers who sell to certain NYC restaurants sneak in at night to our C&R lakes and tie livelines to trees. Sneaky IceWholes! They take everything that bites their hook. Could be a 2" bluegill or a 6 pound bass. No mercy. I cut and pull in their rigs all the time in Nassau.

23 hours ago, Surfcaster79 said:

It certainly does have quite a few lakes and ponds with big fish in them. Too bad I'm moving back to NYC

Oh, that's such a shame. We'll miss you?