Keeping a hooked fish away from branches and junk?

[David P]

Hey, I fish from shore, and as of lately I've been hooking some very nice 3-6 lb bass .. I'm losing about 30%-50% of them because they keep wrapping themselves around branches, tulies, and all that stuff, making it very tough..

I've been fishing from docks, and found great places along weed lines and such, but they second they get hooked, they head for the tall weeds and such..

I try and direct them and steer them, but it's tough when they're pulling with such force..

Any help?

[bpm2000]

I lost what couldve been my first lm of the season because of this recently - hopping along for the ride!

(as an added note, I couldnt get any fish to hit my grub until i directly pitched it into the cover im trying to get them out of)

[joe bag o donuts]

I've been using 4# test and fishing from banks like you so these are things I've learned from experience. If the fish swims into cover you can always try giving him a little slack line. The fish usually will free itself enough so you can regain control and pull him into the open. Remember, the fish is going to want to go the opposite way your pulling so try pulling him into the weeds and he might surprise you and head for the open water. Hope that makes sense.

My motto is, hook the fish then worry about what to do with it. At least your hokking a few 3-6ers, my biggest this season was 19" whatever that comes out to. :

[David P]

I pulled in a 24" and a few 20in bass successfully, but have had a few 20-24in bass ring me up in branches and tulies and such..

I will try pulling them into the weeds today.. Then again, a few of the fish I've pulled to the dock and they've came willingly but then shot full force past the dock and under it..

Anythings worth a shot though, thanks.

[Cigarlover 1]

What kind of line do you use. 30lb braid would do the trick I would think.

[David P]

What kind of line do you use. 30lb braid would do the trick I would think.

I'm using 8lb PLine CXX Extra Tough I believe is what it's called..

How does braided cast and such? I fish mostly 6" wacky rigged senkos and Super Flukes, I like to feel the slightest of hits and such..

What brand is good, and how thin is the line?

[Cigarlover 1]

As far as casting, if your using a baitcaster you have to be able to thumb the spool really well. It'll get knotted up a lot easier than an 8lb test mono. Spinning rigs, I think it casts pretty much the same as any other line in the 8-12lb range.

One of the good things about braid is it doesnt really stretch so you feel can really feel pretty much anything you're line comes in contact with.

One of the bad things about braid also is that it doesnt really stretch. The slightest movement will move you're bait a lot more than a line with some stretch in it. You have to be really careful with hooksets not to set to quick and pull the bait out of the fish's mouth.

It's not something I use all the time but anytime I'm fishing wooded areas and weeds like your talking about I use it.

[Cigarlover 1]

oh, line diameter. I'm don't know the exact numbers but I think the 30lb test is around the area of 10 or 12lb mono.

[linesider7]

I firmly believe you need to try fishing braid around this, what sounds like to me, "heavy cover".  I could not imagine even trying to land fish where I fish with 8lb monofilament.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

The line definitely needs addressing but so does the rod.  You want a stick capable of changing that fishs' direction.  Beefier rod and line will certainly help.

[RecMar8541]

I agree, more rod, heavy line.  Reel down to em, flip the wrist to set the hook, lift the rod to pull there head out and surf em in!

[mdgreco191]

I had a ten pounder get off 5 times in the same day!  He would get stuck in brush and trees right below surface, next to the bank, and shake the hook out.  I tried surfing him in but he just jumped and shook the hook again.  I have a net now cause I would have landed him if I would have had one that day.

[rocknfish9001]

If you have a heavy enough stick and heavy enough line, try to yank them out right away, if you get it out of its home quick enough, it will become disorientated, and wont know where to go.

[justfishin]

Four pound test, eight pound test? Fishing equipment is a tool. You are using the wrong ones for what structure you are fishing. You need a baitcaster, MH rod and #20 test for fishing the narly stuff. I use #8 in open water but, light line and brush is just asking for a break off.

[Pond-Pro]

There is somthing called side-strain. Side-strain is where you pull your rod sharpely to one side or the other in order to try and turn a fish.  I think the fish has a tougher time continuing in the same direction when a horizontle force is put on him rather than a verticle force.  I read about it in an old fishing book.

Also as others have mentioned, heavy gear will help.

Braid is strong, thin, stretchless, and sensitive, I think you should try it.  I use 20 pound sufix and have had no problems with it.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

Try Power Pro or some other kind of braid (i like 20lb) and tighten your drag down. Dont make it too tight or you might break a rod, so you might consider getting a heavier power rod. A 7"'Heavy with braided line can haul out bass really quick.

[Bankbeater]

A week ago I had the same problem. Med. action rod w/ 10 pound line. I thought Mr. Bass was heading for a tree in the water and instead he buried himself in the moss and I couldn't get him out. Last time out I had a heavy action rod w/ Yo-Zuri #15. No more problem.

[roadwarrior]

Four pound test, eight pound test? Fishing equipment is a tool. You are using the wrong ones for what structure you are fishing. You need a baitcaster, MH rod and #20 test for fishing the narly stuff. I use #8 in open water but, light line and brush is just asking for a break off.

Yep, I'm with justfishin.

I generally fish what would be considered "open water." I prefer small diameter, stealthy line. However, you have to make "tool adjustments" when conditions call for a change. Heavy cover = heavy gear, there is no way to get around that.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I just got one of these at a yard sale slapped it on the front of my boat I CAN GET A FISH OUT OF ANYWHERE NOW

[Catt]

The instant you set hook you have to take control if not you'll generally lose every time. You don't really need braid but you do need at least 15# and at least a medium heavy rod.

Remember control the head you control the body