The bow and arrow release

[kajun]

I was reading an article in this website today written by Mike Iconelli about crankbaits.  In it he starts talking about a technique to retrive your crank baits when they get hung called the bow and arrow release?  Could someone please explain this method to me?

[Chris]

What you do is leave about a foot or two of slack in your line while your reel is engaged. Now pull the line with your freehand kinda like your going to make a flip. now raise your rod till its tight and it bows your rod. now let go of your line like your shooting an arrow. After you do it a few times your crankbait will shake free.

[Marty]

With all due respect to Mike Iaconelli and Chris, my experience is that the bow-and-arrow release, in combination with a good lure retriever, will get you back a lot of your hung crankbaits.

[Chris]

I agree i have a golf ball retreaver that i attached a old bed spring on the end that i carry around in my boat. There are many out on the maket today that work great. Im kinda lazy at times so i try to pop the bait out first then dig out my lure retreaver if it didn't work.

[Nick]

Right on, Marty.  Snapping the line works if a sinker is behind a rock at times, but often it doesn't. Also, if you are using Flourocarbon line esp. Seaguar, be careful snapping it hard. It will break at the reel's level winder. I've done this three times. Ouch.

[JT Bagwell]

Another variation of this technique is to set the butt of the rod on the deck of the boat (between your feet). With the rod standing vertical, take one hand and hold the line a foot or two down from the tip of the rod. With the other hand pull back on the line at about waist level. Once you have pulled it back as far as you can, let it go in a quick snapping motion.

Although this variation is very similar to ones mentioned above, it puts less stress on the rod itself.

JT Bagwell

[Glenn]

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/hung_lures.html

;D

[Shad_Master]

Another method I have seen demonstrated that shocked the **** (fill in the blank) out of me was when a guy pulled out his line and then dropped the whole rig (rod and reel) down the line toward the hung up bait.  I believe the first time I saw this, the guy had hung a jig.  I thought, why would you throw a $200 to $250 rig into the water to save a $.79 jig?  But it works.

Maybe this is not such a big deal for guys like J.T. that have all these sponsors , but for a weekend warrior like my self, I will cut the line if I can't get it back anyother way.

[JT Bagwell]

LOL That's funny because I do that all of the time. (If I am understanding you right anyway)

Did the guy hold the line in one hand and kind of drop the rod with the other hand?

If so, that is how I do it in shallow water. You actually stop it before the reel gets to the water.

It works really well, but it is horrible on rod tips.

JT Bagwell

Ps: There have been a few times that I have almost lost rods too.  lol

[D.Taylor]

I slide my rod in alot. I hate breaking off in a pile them come back and get caught in my own line.

I feel it spooks the fish less. Plus no sense tearing up some ones boat for my little Jig.

I use alot of baits i cant go to the local store and but as well. So if its sliding the rod for that bait ill do it.