How to land "Big Fish?"

[Bass_Akwards]

I know 8+ pounds isnt a "Big Fish" in some parts of the country but for Colorado, it's a cow. 11.6 is the state record.

I've been doing really well the last 10 times out.  I've been catching lots of 2's and 3's,  some 4's and 5's and some good volume as well.

The thing is, I've been hunting "bigger fish" lately.  Using swim baits and bigger jerks, and bigger rattle traps and such.  I've also been starting to fish at night more.  

The last three times out, and I'm not kidding, I have hooked into fish that are absolut monsters for Colorado. 8+ pounds in my opinion.  Bigger if I really must be honest here.  They all took my drag out like it was no problem, and my drag is set medium high, and isn't easy to pull.

In the past, I have caught  my share of 5 pound fish.  I know exactly what they feel like on my rods.  The 3 fish I've hooked into the last 3 nights are so much bigger than 5 pounds, it almost makes me sick to think about losing every single one of them.  Every one of them has broken off.

So I ask you.  For me to land an 8-12 pound bass,once I have her hooked...

1.  Should I loosen my drag once I have her hooked and let her take my line more, while fighting her?

2. Should I be using braid exclusively?  I've lost all 3 of these hawgs on 10 pound Trilene.  It's the biggest I can get away with on spinning gear without losing casting distance?

3. How often should I change my line?  It wasn's corkscrewing last night when I lost this pig, but I admit, I didn't check for roughness or freying near the bait all night

4.  What's the best and easiest knot?  I don't know if my knots stink, my line stinks, if I'm not changing my line often enough, if my line just gets roughed up near the bait due to contact with brush while I'm fishing or what.  All I know is I keep getting broken off when I land an absolute monster.

Please help.  Any tips that I might not be thinking of would be great too.  I'm dying to catch the state record, or at least an 8+ which I KNOW are in this pond.

Thanks in advance.

[roadwarrior]

My #1 pet peeve...

Set you drag with a scale and get to know exactly how it feels.

With 10 lb test, the drag should be set at 2.5 - 3 lbs. You never need

to make an adjustment when you fight a fish. Assuming your line is

not cut or frayed, you will never get broken off again.

The Palomar Knot is easy to tie and strong:

http://www.animatedknots.com/palomar/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

Note: Unless the knot is perfect, it's not good enough.

Regarding your line:

Check it constantly for nicks, frays or weak spots and always

replace damaged line. Your can add line rather than replacing it all,

but you should maintain 80-100 yards of "good line".

You didn't mention your brand of line, but several copolymers

significantly overtest for a specified diameter: Yo-Zuri Hybrid,

Hybrid Ultra Soft, P-Line CXX and Gamma to name a few. All

of these lines in #8 are stronger than 10 lb monofilament and

have much greater abrasion resistance.

I recommend Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test) for spinning tackle.

8-)

[Catt]

First off unless you are extremely experienced with landing big fish on light line I would not be hawg hunting with 10# test line; one little nick on 10# and you're toast.

Secondly no matter the test line always check for nicks or rough spots; if I hang up I always re-tie after removing 2 or 3' of line.

Braid is not necessary for landing big bass of the 11 double digit bass I caught last year 8 were on Berkeley Big Game 15# test.

The absolutely worst thing you want to do is try to horse big bass with any line; with your drag set properly you should never have a bass break you off unless it wraps you up.

Palomar knot is the best period!

Adrenalin will be your worst enemy, try to remain calm

[islandbass]

You've got your questions answered quite well.

I would reiterate that if you set the drag right before the fight, you shouldn't have to readjust it during the fight.  If theycan pull off line, let them because this is what helps to get them tired more quickly.

I would also add that you have to have Patience with a capital P. Let your rod, reel, and line work for you and the fish is yours.

Also, never ever allow slack in the line during the fight. Always maintain a tension in the line.

As proof to what I mentioned, here is something to keep things in perspective. There are  folks in my area who know how to land 30# King Salmon with 6# test.  If this is possible, then there is no doubt in my mind that you ought to be able to land an 8# bass with the line of your choice, a properly set drag, and some patience.

Good luck!

[WRB]

I know 8+ pounds isnt a "Big Fish" in some parts of the country but for Colorado, it's a cow. 11.6 is the state record.

I've been doing really well the last 10 times out. I've been catching lots of 2's and 3's, some 4's and 5's and some good volume as well.

The thing is, I've been hunting "bigger fish" lately. Using swim baits and bigger jerks, and bigger rattle traps and such. I've also been starting to fish at night more.

The last three times out, and I'm not kidding, I have hooked into fish that are absolut monsters for Colorado. 8+ pounds in my opinion. Bigger if I really must be honest here. They all took my drag out like it was no problem, and my drag is set medium high, and isn't easy to pull.

In the past, I have caught my share of 5 pound fish. I know exactly what they feel like on my rods. The 3 fish I've hooked into the last 3 nights are so much bigger than 5 pounds, it almost makes me sick to think about losing every single one of them. Every one of them has broken off.

So I ask you. For me to land an 8-12 pound bass,once I have her hooked...

1. Should I loosen my drag once I have her hooked and let her take my line more, while fighting her? Yes set your drag at 1/3rd the line test.

2. Should I be using braid exclusively? I've lost all 3 of these hawgs on 10 pound Trilene. It's the biggest I can get away with on spinning gear without losing casting distance? No reason to use 10 lb line at night. I agree with CATT on this use 15 lb Big Game, good line for what you are doing. You may need to use a casting reel and heavy fast action rod to match the line and fish. You can use a larger spinning reel and heavy, fast action spinning rod.

3. How often should I change my line? It wasn's corkscrewing last night when I lost this pig, but I admit, I didn't check for roughness or freying near the bait all night Change your line if nicked or about every 6 outings for mono. Re tie often, after each bass or if you feel a nick.

4. What's the best and easiest knot? I don't know if my knots stink, my line stinks, if I'm not changing my line often enough, if my line just gets roughed up near the bait due to contact with brush while I'm fishing or what. All I know is I keep getting broken off when I land an absolute monster. Palomar knot is easy to tie and a good knot for worm hooks, difficult to tie for lures with treble hooks at night.

Please help. Any tips that I might not be thinking of would be great too. I'm dying to catch the state record, or at least an 8+ which I KNOW are in this pond. Don't rush the fish to you, bass tire out quickly. You do need to keep them out of cover and under control, so if they get into something you may need to go to braid. If you opt for braid, then use a braid knot, not a Palomar.

Remember everything is more intense at night and you tend to hook big fish on a short string. Bass fight harder at night and are generally in shallower water with cover. Calm down, it only takes about 2 minutes to land the biggest bass. Good luck.

WRB

Thanks in advance.

[Mattlures]

Ha ha man do we have differnt opinions. I horse in every big bass unless its on light line around cover. But as soon as the fish is in the clear I am horsing it in again. If the fish is going away from me, I let it unless its heading for a tree, then I do what I can to stop it. If the fish is turing or coming towarsds me even at an awy angle I put a lot of pressure on them . I have not lost a big fish in about 2 years. The last I can remeber wrapped me deep around a tree. I use to loos a lot of big fish when I got to careful and let them run and fishgt how they wanted to. Now I take control and my landing ratio has gone way up. I am not telling you to horse the fish because you if your not experienced doing it you could loose fish. At night I tend to be a lot more carful as I cant see them but in the daylight I know when to put the brakes on them and when to turn them. It just comes with practice. Throw your line away. Buy new line, Braid is terrible against rocks and other things for abrasion. It will get cut. I NEVER use braid, I hate it. I like fluro, its srtong and very abrasion resistant. Maxima is my favorite. I also use a Palomar almost exclusivly. One of the biggest reasons for me using a high quality reel is its drag. I dont let the fish take a lot of drag on me but when I need to a good smooth drag is crucial. Stay calm and focussed WRB is right, the fisht doest last very long.

[.dsaavedra.]

everyone's suggestions are great and they are things taht you should do, but i have one that nobody has mentioned.

perhaps it wasnt a bass at all?

i dont know if you have pike in your area but you probably have pickerel. the other day i hooked a fish and it felt like a 6+ lb bass, but when i landed it, it was only an 18" pickerel.

these toothy fish hit harder, fight harder, and fight longer than any bass of the same size.

so all im saying is, maybe you just hooked a decent sized pickerel and then it cut your line w/ its teeth.

[no.4shot]

A pike was my thoughts also.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

I don't think they have pike in Colorado.

8-)

[WRB]

The key to what has been said is "control" the bass at all times. At night it is very difficult to keep bass over 8 lbs out of trouble, becuase they are up in shallow water where all kinds of brush, weeds, trees, tules or what have you to get the line wraped in. Make no mistake, bass wrap your line as a means to excape.

I have caught hundreds of big bass and wouldn't even think of using light spinning tackle intentionally. You land big bass with 10 lb mono and I do it all the time, but not at night and not in cover.

You must either increase the line strength and rod to match or loose big bass at night.

WRB

[Alpster]

Matt is right! We do think differently on this subject. The only time I have lost fish is when I have tried to "play" them. I have had them spit my hook at the boat and shake it out of their mouth ONLY when I have given the slightest release of pressure. I use braid in heavy cover, a quality rod and a good reel. Drag is set tight and whether it's 2 pounds or 10 pounds, it's coming to me, NOW! I spend my money on equipment so I have the advantage. Hard pressure all the way to the boat. I also believe that it increases the release survival rate if you get them in and out of the boat quickly before they are so worn out.  JMHO

Ronnie

[Catt]

Controlling: To exercise authoritative or dominating influence

There is a huge difference between controlling a big bass and horsing one; you can horse all you want but I'll stick with controlling.

[roadwarrior]

Well, it seems to me the initial question was about being broken off due to line failure and that's the question I addressed. However, heavy cover presents other problems and I certainly agree that heavier equipment is the best way to "move the fish to the boat!".

8-)

[Grey Wolf]

Matt is right! We do think differently on this subject. The only time I have lost fish is when I have tried to "play" them. I have had them spit my hook at the boat and shake it out of their mouth ONLY when I have given the slightest release of pressure. I use braid in heavy cover, a quality rod and a good reel. Drag is set tight and whether it's 2 pounds or 10 pounds, it's coming to me, NOW! I spend my money on equipment so I have the advantage. Hard pressure all the way to the boat. I also believe that it increases the release survival rate if you get them in and out of the boat quickly before they are so worn out. JMHO

Ronnie

X2

[Bass_Akwards]

Great stuff guys, thanks.  Caught a nice 4 pounder tonight but nothing "Hippo like."  I'll let you know when I get a monster.

Yes, there are pike here in Colorado.  Nice ones.  Tiger Muskie, wipers and walleye too.    The NP's can be found in many mountain lakes and rivers.  My friends love catching them on flys.

By the way, some of the flys my friends tie for fly fishing, are some of the most stunning, functional, beautiful LMB baits I've ever seen in action.  They're mind boggling in fact.  Unreal action and looks.  The big ones can be casted with spinning gear.  I'm going to try some soon.  I watch them yank out 2 and 3 pound bass on their fly rods and their beautiful home made flys all the time.  But I digress.

Thanks for the tips, very helpful as always.

Todd

[roadwarrior]

Yes, there are pike here in Colorado.

They are not listed on the Colorado DOW website:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/SpeciesID/

8-)

[Bass_Akwards]

RW, that's weird.  Can't believe NP's are not on that site.  Check this out.

http://www.coloradofisherman.com/fish_species_of_colorado.php

also, google, "colorado northern pike" if you are a little interested.