When fish jump, I loose them - I need HELP!

[jaystraw]

I'm not sure if I read this in this thread or not, but I was having the same problem. Today a lightbulb went on about something so simple:

"Keep your rod tip up".

I was smallmouth fishing today, and they jump a lot at this place (even for smallmouth). I had been playing the fish and trying to keep them closer to the water. Today, I just let them jump, but kept the rod tip pointing up and tension on the line at all times. As long as that hook-set is good and you are keeping that rod tip up, I think it's the key. I reeled in while they jumped to keep the line tight, but not too tight. Great day of fishing because of it.

Thank you whoever wrote that!!

[jb_adams]

At this point, I'm leaning towards dull hooks as my main problem.  I missed a few last night on my favorite bait, the Zara puppy.  It finally dawned on me after a nice sized bass inhaled the bait and only a split second later before I could set the hook good, he spit it out.  I always reel down just after a strike to reel in the slack and then I set the hook.  I usually loose the fish just after hooset and not halfway to the boat.

So, logic tells me it's gotta be the hooks.  I checked the hooks and they do feel a bit dull.  I'll sharpen the hooks and try again.  I'll be sure and check my crankbait hooks for the same problem.

[bassmaster8100]

As already mentioned be sure to check those hooks,  also try and keep the fish from jumping by keeping the rod tip down, I try and keep my rod tip down close to the surface of the water to prevent fish from jumping.

[jigmanb101]

I am having these issues with  crankbaits  ...  I use an E T I  orion shallow diver and  love that fish are biting this lure . I have lost fish in and out of the water though !!!!  according to what I have read so far my Shimano is fine (rod)   and the sweep is good ...  line maybe ? I have 8lb mono (trilene) and I put new hooks on .

Also I can tell when a fish is going to jump in the daytime by the action of the line.. but nightfishing I lose my bearing . Had one jump last night and that was it !!  the fish hit the water and a second or two later the crankbait came flying back at me ....

I am not trying to hijack this thread  ...  

Please PM  me  I  need some help too .

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

You're going to loose a few fish using treble hook lures, there is no way around it.

[jb_adams]

No hi-jacking required....go right ahead!  That's what this topic is about.