How to get bass stuck in grass...lost my PB today

[Flushdraw]

Down here in south Texas, many of the ponds I fish have TONS of submerged grass. Today, I was throwing a Strike King Caffeine shad. Twitch, twitch, pause...boom! I reeled down and set the hook on a monster! As I reeled her in, she broke surface and I could see she was a tank! She dove deep and wrapped herself up in the grass. My pole was a medium/heavy fast action with 15lb braid to 12 lb flouro leader. She wouldn't budge, so I let some slack in the line and waited. Less than a minute later, she bolted and my drag went out. It was set pretty tight, too. I let her run a little and then reeled her in pulling my rod upwards trying to get her on top of the grass. It was no use and she dove again. I walked about 20 feet to the right and 20 feet to the left trying to free her. I did the same before. She was in there good and my rod tip was bent way forward. I didn't know what to do. I waited a few minutes with a lightly taunt line. She never moved again and I was afraid she would work the hook loose. I decided best plan was to muscle her out. I got as close as I could to her and slowly pulled the rod upwards. She freed herself and got away. My line was unbroken.

 

The whole event took 7 minutes. Yes, I timed it from the moment she buried in the grass. My question: what is the best course of action in this situation? Should I have waited? Is it better to risk your line being broken and just pull them in? What would you do?

 

This is the 3rd time I've fished this place. Water is slightly stained and have no idea how deep it is. I'm guessing <8ft. Going in was not an option...possible Darwin Award. The bank looks fairly steep. There's a very good chance this will happen again in the future. Any advice is much appreciated.

[islandbass]

Sorry for your loss. A bummer for sure. 
That’s why it’s called fishing and not catching and unfortunately, you win some you lose some and we know it hurts. We’ve all had those moments. 
 

However, with that said, there are some basic principles that can improve our odds. 
 

1) Always maintain tension on the line and the bigger the fish the more crucial and critical this is. 
2) Apply maximum pressure on the line by maintaining at about a 45 degree angle with the rod (in front of you is zero degrees and above your head is 90 degrees in the vertical plane) regardless of the plane your are holding the rod. This allows your rod to apply the most direct pressure on the fish and gives you the best chances to keep that tension. It is this tension that reduces their chances of getting away, spitting your bait, or allowing them to jump. It is also this max pressure that gives you the best chance to coax them away from the cover when those opportunities present themselves to you. 
 

Incidentially, if you mean “raising your rod” as going straight vertical such that you made your rod almost bend 90 degrees, then that is a 100% no-no. A - This is known as high-sticking the rod and the potential for the rod to break is great. B - Your rod cannot provide the required power in that position. I am willing to bet you felt like you had no control to play or horse the fish in ways you could gain an upper hand. I bet it felt like your rod felt inadequately powered or dare I say underpowered. It was most certainly not; but you did confirm for yourself that in that position, your rod was not in an optimum position. 
 

The last thing is patience if you were unable to prevent them from hunkering down into cover at the start. In the grand scheme of things is 7 minutes really a long time? Okay, it is, lol but I think you get the point. Be patient, stay calm and cool. 
 

With that said, I feel for you. Sometimes I suffer through a few weeks of shoulda, coulda, and woulda and might even wallow in some self pity and repeat that lost battle in my brain 1 a million times a day. 
 

one last thing. One of the sneakiest things the fish can do that can throw a monkey wrench in keeping tension on the line is them swimming toward you. You have to be mindful of that and reel up that slack asap. This is a double edged sword for the fish.  On the bright side, them swimming toward you is also an excellent opportunity for you to gain ground  on them. ??

[scaleface]

You put up a good fight. Cant win them all.

[Swamp Girl]

@islandbass sounds savvy. I'd listen to him. I fish shallow, weedy water too. I muster as much muscle as I have, which isn't much, to keep them out of the weeds. It's a matter of guessing how much strain my line will bear. I have my drags cranked way up too. And I reel like crazy. 

 

@scaleface is also right. We can't win them all.

[wvsmallie]

It might be worth considering going with much stouter braid without a leader.  I'd likely use at least 30 lb when fishing heavy grass.  It's not a panacea, but it should help some of the time.  FWIW

[Swamp Girl]

8 hours ago, Flushdraw said:

Water is slightly stained

 

This supports @wvsmallie's suggestion of thicker braid. I switched to braid on three more reels this summer and when I look down and see the braid, I not only have more confidence, but note that I can muscle them more, well as much as a nearly 67-year old woman can muscle them.

[WIGuide]

Sounds like you hooked into one of those 50/50 fish or at least that's what I call them. In those kind of situations you have 2 options, either keep pressure on the fish and keep the line tight, or give them slack and let them try and swim back out of it. You'll never land all of them and you'll always second guess your choice when you don't land one. Fishing from the bank makes it more challenging too since in a boat or kayak, you just need to keep the fish on long enough to get over to it. 

[Jar11591]

For cover that heavy ditch the MH rod and go with a H or XH, and just winch em out of there. Heavy braid will also be required for this. 

[Flushdraw]

8 hours ago, islandbass said:

Sorry for your loss. A bummer for sure. 
That’s why it’s called fishing and not catching and unfortunately, you win some you lose some and we know it hurts. We’ve all had those moments. 
 

However, with that said, there are some basic principles that can improve our odds. 
 

1) Always maintain tension on the line and the bigger the fish the more crucial and critical this is. 
2) Apply maximum pressure on the line by maintaining at about a 45 degree angle with the rod (in front of you is zero degrees and above your head is 90 degrees in the vertical plane) regardless of the plane your are holding the rod. This allows your rod to apply the most direct pressure on the fish and gives you the best chances to keep that tension. It is this tension that reduces their chances of getting away, spitting your bait, or allowing them to jump. It is also this max pressure that gives you the best chance to coax them away from the cover when those opportunities present themselves to you. 
 

Incidentially, if you mean “raising your rod” as going straight vertical such that you made your rod almost bend 90 degrees, then that is a 100% no-no. A - This is known as high-sticking the rod and the potential for the rod to break is great. B - Your rod cannot provide the required power in that position. I am willing to bet you felt like you had no control to play or horse the fish in ways you could gain an upper hand. I bet it felt like your rod felt inadequately powered or dare I say underpowered. It was most certainly not; but you did confirm for yourself that in that position, your rod was not in an optimum position. 
 

The last thing is patience if you were unable to prevent them from hunkering down into cover at the start. In the grand scheme of things is 7 minutes really a long time? Okay, it is, lol but I think you get the point. Be patient, stay calm and cool. 
 

With that said, I feel for you. Sometimes I suffer through a few weeks of shoulda, coulda, and woulda and might even wallow in some self pity and repeat that lost battle in my brain 1 a million times a day. 
 

one last thing. One of the sneakiest things the fish can do that can throw a monkey wrench in keeping tension on the line is them swimming toward you. You have to be mindful of that and reel up that slack asap. This is a double edged sword for the fish.  On the bright side, them swimming toward you is also an excellent opportunity for you to gain ground  on them. ??

Fantastic reply...thanks! I've been fishing for 13 months. I fish quite a bit and have learned a lot, but I'm still new to this addiction. Some really good tips you posted and I'll use this info next time this happens. I generally pump my rod and try to move the fish on top of the grass and drag them in. I've been lucky in the past. The info on rod position is new to me and some golden info.

 

Concerning patience...let me be clear. I would have waited an hour without complaint. I know that bass don't get to this size without being smart. I was afraid she'd gain leverage on the hook and work it out. That's why I chose to just yank her in and risk breaking off.

[Flushdraw]

To all the other replies: Thank you.

 

I've been considering buying another spool or two and putting both 30lb and 50lb braid on them for heavy grass situations. One consideration is the wind. I fish pretty close to the Gulf and it stays pretty breezy here. I fish a lot of baits weightless...Senkos, Fat Ika, etc. The thicker the braid, the more effect the wind has on the line keeping my bait from hitting bottom. I may just change to a 20lb or 25lb and just go straight braid. The longer I fish, the more I think bass don't care about seeing the line.

 

I'd like to get a nice heavy weight rod this year as well.

[Swamp Girl]

I only use 50 lb. braid for froggin'. Otherwise, it's 20 lb. braid. I hauled the girls below out of heavy weeds last week with 20 lb. braid. They were both caught in four feet of water with two feet of weeds beneath the water and surface weeds in all directions. I was able to keep the top girl out of the weeds, but the bottom girl was too heavy. Still, I hauled her out of the weeds with my 20 lb. braid. There were more weeds in my net than bass and that's saying something, giving that she's a good chunk of bass.

 

 

[T-Billy]

3 hours ago, Flushdraw said:

To all the other replies: Thank you.

 

I've been considering buying another spool or two and putting both 30lb and 50lb braid on them for heavy grass situations. One consideration is the wind. I fish pretty close to the Gulf and it stays pretty breezy here. I fish a lot of baits weightless...Senkos, Fat Ika, etc. The thicker the braid, the more effect the wind has on the line keeping my bait from hitting bottom. I may just change to a 20lb or 25lb and just go straight braid. The longer I fish, the more I think bass don't care about seeing the line.

 

I'd like to get a nice heavy weight rod this year as well.

30# will serve you well. It'll still cast those baits a long ways, it's limber enough to not impede their action, and will allow you to pull HARD on fish. Largemouth don't care about seeing it, especially when they're in cover. I'm still on the fence about that when it comes to smallies in open water.

[Swamp Girl]

I'd listen to T-Billy. He's been casting braid a whole lot longer than me. I only went with 20 lb. braid because I fished for decades with 6 lb. mono and 20 lb. anything sounds like steel cable to me.

[islandbass]

@Flushdraw: man, you’re in for a wonderful ride. Before you know it you’ll have an arsenal of rods, lol.
I didn’t mean to sound so harsh on patience. But you had to make a decision and you made it. In your position I probably would have done made the same decision. But as already been mentioned by others, we will some and we lose some. But sometimes those losses feel like you lost the Super Bowl. As a Seahawks fan, I will refer to the the loss against the patriots. I still feel that to this day ??

[Flushdraw]

6 hours ago, T-Billy said:

30# will serve you well. It'll still cast those baits a long ways, it's limber enough to not impede their action, and will allow you to pull HARD on fish. Largemouth don't care about seeing it, especially when they're in cover. I'm still on the fence about that when it comes to smallies in open water.

Should I go with 30# or do you think 20# is good enough? I'm using hi viz power pro now and will stick with that. Any problems tying on a flouro leader? I fish weightless bottom baits most of the time and flouro sinks a lot better than braid. If so, would a 15 or 20# leader do it?

Thanks

3 hours ago, ol&#x27;crickety said:

I'd listen to T-Billy. He's been casting braid a whole lot longer than me. I only went with 20 lb. braid because I fished for decades with 6 lb. mono and 20 lb. anything sounds like steel cable to me.

I'm the same way. I was catching large sheepshead, bass, and redfish on 6lb mono. Nice bass pictured above!

3 hours ago, islandbass said:

@Flushdraw: man, you’re in for a wonderful ride. Before you know it you’ll have an arsenal of rods, lol.
I didn’t mean to sound so harsh on patience. But you had to make a decision and you made it. In your position I probably would have done made the same decision. But as already been mentioned by others, we will some and we lose some. But sometimes those losses feel like you lost the Super Bowl. As a Seahawks fan, I will refer to the the loss against the patriots. I still feel that to this day ??

I started with a Walmart special which I've since given away. I've collected 4 more rods and reels this last year. My tackle collection has already gotten pretty impressive. I'm a widower with 3 kids and just lost my job a few weeks ago. I may have to wait a while for my next rod combo...got to pay the bills first! It's a great hobby and the more I fish, the more I love it.

 

You didn't sound harsh. It's a tough call to make. Next time, I'll keep a tighter line if I wait.

 

This new pond I found is a true gem. I got a feeling I'll be pulling my PB out of here soon. This was my 3rd time fishing it. The first time, I pulled my PB sunfish out. I honestly thought it was some kind of bass until I sent a picture to my friend. It swallowed a Fat Ika and a 3/0 hook!

[T-Billy]

3 hours ago, Flushdraw said:

Should I go with 30# or do you think 20# is good enough? I'm using hi viz power pro now and will stick with that. Any problems tying on a flouro leader? I fish weightless bottom baits most of the time and flouro sinks a lot better than braid. If so, would a 15 or 20# leader do it?

Thanks

30# Sufix 832. It's abrasion resistant, and sinks better than most braids because of the gore fiber. Problems with a leader are, it's a weak point, and heavy fuoro will impede the action of your weightless plastics. I vote straight braid with a heavy gauge hook. The heavy hook will help get your bait down and be less likely to open up under pressure. 

13 hours ago, Flushdraw said:

generally pump my rod and try to move the fish on top of the grass and drag them in. I've been lucky in the past

Don't do this when fighting fish out of heavy cover. Set the hook hard to turn them and get them moving toward you in one motion. Then just keep the rod loaded and winch on 'em. 

[islandbass]

@Flushdraw: Unbelievable!!! I also started out with a rod from Walmart and by pure coincidence, I also called it my “Walmart special”. It was a two piece medium light spinning rod and reel combo for somewhere around $16.99 (I thought was pricey, lol).

 

I initially started my fishing career going for trout. While trout fishing with a Rapala floating minnow, I caught my first fish, but it was a bass. Been hooked since then on bass fishing and the trout took a backseat. And this was in 2004. ?

 

Sorry to hear about your job situation losing your spouse. I pray that you receive the grace and fortitude  to get you through and hope that your next encounter with that bass be a W. 

[Swamp Girl]

6 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Then just keep the rod loaded and winch on 'em. 

 

Thanks for this tip, Tim. I've had to concentrate on my hands when I'm bringing a fish out of weeds. Due to arthritis, I can lose my grip on the  handle's knob. Really focusing on the act of winching helps.

[T-Billy]

1 hour ago, ol&#x27;crickety said:

 

Thanks for this tip, Tim. I've had to concentrate on my hands when I'm bringing a fish out of weeds. Due to arthritis, I can lose my grip on the  handle's knob. Really focusing on the act of winching helps.

You can get BIG eva knobs for your reels.

I'm an advocate of just winching on them, because with the lift and reel down method, everytime you let up pressure to reel down, you're giving them an opportunity to turn and get you buried/tangled up. Get em coming on the hookset and keep it that way with steady pressure. 

[Swamp Girl]

12 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

You can get BIG eva knobs for your reels.

I'm an advocate of just winching on them, because with the lift and reel down method, everytime you let up pressure to reel down, you're giving them an opportunity to turn and get you buried/tangled up. Get em coming on the hookset and keep it that way with steady pressure. 

 

Thanks, Tim. I just Googled "Eva knobs" and I'll give them a try. 

[Catt]

9 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Set the hook hard to turn them and get them moving toward you in one motion. Then just keep the rod loaded and winch on 'em.

 

11 lb 3 oz, heavy vegetation, from the bank, on 15# Big Game using this technique.

 

 

[geo g]

Fishing south Florida we have no shortage of big bass and thick weeds fields.  On several occasions each year I have had bass snagged on wood or weed stems.  From the boat I usually just continue with pressure and change angles by moving the boat, or going in with the boat and digging the fish out.  But from the bank it's a different, much harder to change angles with all the bank growth.  What I do is let the fish settle under tight line.  then if I can't power him out, I will give it slack line and watch the line until I significant movement.  Then I will set again, and keep heavy pressure.  They often free themselves.  I never use less then 15 pound straight Floro, or up to 65 pound braid with a floro leader.  Heavy conditions often require heavy gear especially when pulling through heavy pad fields.  My local lakes are surrounded with weeds.

[Catt]

This subject is the exact reason I don't wait on anything before I set hook!

 

From the moment you decide to swing, you wanna be in complete control.

[padlin]

The only thing that really works for me is to set it hard and crank as hard and fast as I can trying to not give ‘em a chance to bury in the weeds. Once they get good and buried  I lose at least as many as I land. I would think being on shore you could put a lot more torque on them than I can in a canoe. As others have said, bigger line and maybe a heavier rod if you can get them moving your way fast enough.

[Bankbeater]

When you feel that bite set the hook immediately, don't let the bass swim with it.  When I'm fishing off of the bank and I have enough room behind me I will start backing up while I'm reeling to get that bass to shore even faster.  I don't like to give them a chance to think about what is going on.