During the fight

[Whopper-Stopper]

I didn't want to take over bassassasin's post; but I think there are certain precautions that you can take while fighting a fish Besides line, drag, and hooks. I think it also matters which angle you hold your rod, which direction and how high your tip is. For instance. By pointing your rod straight at the fish, you maximize the pressure applied to the fish and take away your rod's ability to absorb shock to prevent break-offs. When you hold your rod tip high You apply the least amount of pressure to the fish. This can make it eaisier for the fish to shake lose. You need to find an angle that balances the right amount of pressure and rod flex.

Can anyone add to this? I don't agree when people say that sometimes you can't do anything about a fish shaking loose. When a fish shakes loose, it is because of a certain way it moved that changed the way the hook was positioned in it's mouth. To prevent this, we need to counter that movement with the rod.  We need to develop a strategy to help land more fish. This way we can post stories and pics of the ones we caught, instead of the big ones that got away.

[senile1]

Whopper-Stopper stated:

When a fish shakes loose, it is because of a certain way it moved that changed the way the hook was positioned in it's mouth. To prevent this, we need to counter that movement with the rod.

This is true Whopper-Stopper, but the trouble is how often are you able to see where and how you have the fish hooked until you get him up to the surface and close to the boat?  There will always be an occasional fish that escapes, because the majority of the time the angler is using inexact information regarding where and how the fish is hooked.  

[Whopper-Stopper]

I realize that you can't always see what is going on below. This is more into theory than anything else.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I'm going to agree with Whop-stop.

There is lots you can do with the rod to assist in keeping the fish.  Ever see someone quickly shove the rod in the water, tip down like they are stabbing the bottom?  This helps when a fish is trying to surface and shake the hook out.  

Also, how about boat position and control.  I generally know where I am casting and why.  I think about what thwe fish will do when it's hooked from the standpoint of where my boat is.

A perfect example was the 6.3 I got onthe 4th of July (video)In the video, you'll notice that the fish burns for the weeds.  I knew where I was that this ciould happen but was somewhat prepared but not the point.  You'll notice how the fish pulls my bow with her.  If I had a realboat w/ a bow mount motor, I could have been using my foot to pull the boat hard left which would have also helped keep that fish from getting in the grass.

[senile1]

LBH, I agree with the things you said and I agree with most of what whopper-Stopper said.  However, I disagreed with the following quote by Whop-Stop:  

I don't agree when people say that sometimes you can't do anything about a fish shaking loose.

There are times you can't do anything.  Many times you can, but not always, the key word being sometimes.  I agree an angler should be alert for those actions he/she can take to keep from losing fish.    If you aren't thinking about what's going on you'll lose more fish due to your own negligence.

[Bassassasin12]

All this info helped me land a monster today, 7.4!!! Will be sure to post pics soon under my outing. Fought the thing perfectly and I really appreciate all the info everyone put into how to fight the big ones.

[flechero]

Ever see someone quickly shove the rod in the water, tip down like they are stabbing the bottom?  This helps when a fish is trying to surface and shake the hook out.

Yep, I hate to see that... I love watching fish at the surface.  Especially when they are so fat and heavy that only the head gets out of the water.  It's one of my favorite things.    

[dodgeguy]

rod angle is critical as is keeping slack out of your line.i only hold the rod up when winching bass out of weeds.once they are up and out the rod is down and at an angle to keep the fish in the water.you have to pay carefull attention to which way the line is going.if the pressure lessens the fish has changed direction and you must instantly react.

[Whopper-Stopper]

Bassassasin: congrats on the big fish. Didn't I say you'd get your fish in your other post?

I can't wait to see the pics.

[timmyswetarded]

ohh no wonder i was losing fish a lot...i just pulled straight up...silly me :

[Whopper-Stopper]

Also when using spinning tackle. Don't crank the reel when the fish peels drag. This only twists and weakens your line. Then it will be useless to fish with afterwards. It is better to lift the rodtip and imediately drop the tip as you reel up slack.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Flech- I feel the same way, you'll notice in many of my videos that I "make" them come up but if I were a competition angler and that fish was the equivelant to a $100k check..........

[roadwarrior]

I want all my bass tail dancing and the bigger they are, the more I enjoy it.  

[craigaria]

I think the biggest thing is just staying calm. When people freak out or get overexcited, they tend to make bad mistakes.

[Whopper-Stopper]

Craig, that is a big part of it. The only way you can overcome that excitement is by landing a few big fish.

[craigaria]

Also, one of the best things I have ever done to up my percentage of getting bass in the boat is to have a net ready at all times... I used to reach down and grab them by the lip. I messed up on some really good bass that shook out of my hand while trying to pull them out of the water :'(

GET THE NET!!! ;D ;D ;D

[roadwarrior]

And get yourself a rubber net!

[razyrsharpe]

wow LBH...outstanding video!  i see that if you aren't fishing or working, you're putting together video compilations...

i know because you had to practice to get that polished!  

[Koikus]

I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments on this subject. I have to be honest, when I hook a big bass, I start getting the hawg in as quickly as possible. I just don't like waisting time. What has helped me with doing that is confidence in the equipment, the hook on the lure, and the line I'm using. When I first started bassin, I was so afraid of getting my line snapped....well I was using a closed faced spinning reel back then (gasp!) and the drag systems on those suckers weren't very reliable back then. I usually hold the rod at about 45 degrees unless she starts getting into heavy cover and then I lower the rod and put my thumb on the baitcaster's spool as I raise the rod way up hopefully just long enough to get her turned around. Honestly, when I'm fighting a big bass, I just respond instinctively by having done it so many times.