What do you do when a fish jumps??

[fire22driver]

On a recent fishing trip, twice I was hooked up with a decent size fish, guessing four pounds or so, and twice the bass through the hook after jumping. One time on a crank, and the other a texas rig.  What do you like to do when your catch goes air-born?

[Fat-G]

We had a post similar to this once, and the answers were hilarious. Some people sing, dance, jump with the fish, talk to it, it was really funny. I put my rod tip in the water and reel pretty hard to try to keep the fishes head from coming up.

[Koop]

Enjoy the show

Keep your rod tip low to or in the water will decrease jumping.

[Crestliner2008]

When you see your line heading up, loosen your grip somewhat, keep the rod tip low and by all means.....keep the line tight to the fish when it becomes air born. Give it any slack and she's gone.

[flechero]

Just smile and enjoy!

[SirSnookalot]

When the tv cameras are rolling I let them jump as much as they want, it's also the best method for catch and release.

[luckyfisher]

pray to the fish gods. lol like they said keep the tip low to the water and a tight line

[Tanker4lyfe]

ROD TIP LOW

GIVE NO SLACK

Also learn to recognize how the fish is hooked. From there its just basic understanding of how to keep the hook in place.

[Kingbass43]

I like to laugh in its face because i know hes mine http://www.bassresource.com/fishing-forum/Templates/Forum/default/smiley.gif

[Catt]

Yell dude you see that & enjoy the moment

[OK Bass Hunter]

Pray and beg always seems to work for me.

[Shimmer]

I talk dirty to the fish.

They like it.

[bilgerat]

Usually watch it shake my bait out of it's mouth as I whimper :'(

That happens occasionally to me with single hook baits. Rarely do they get away when I have a treble hook bait tied on.

[Fishing Rhino]

My technique is to keep the rod tip low, pointed at the fish, and the line tight.  When I see the fish rising, the instant it breaks the surface, I sweep the rod to the side, in an attempt to lay the fish on its side.  

They don't seem to shake their head as much, once they are turned.

It doesn't always work, but it works better than all the other things I've tried.

[done]

LOL, along with the good advice here on keeping the line tight, my other actions depend on the size of the fish.

For a good 'un, there may be a good increase in blood pressure and pulse, maybe some exclamation, or shouts. Truthfully, one thing I LOVE about bass is the jumps. No other fish I have caught in Wylie comes anywhere close to that jump as a LMB.

[Quitlimpin]

Pray and beg always seems to work for me.

Yup.  Just start sayin "stay down" repeatedly.

[roadwarrior]

What do you like to do when your catch goes air-born?

Smile... ;D ;D ;D

[avid]

Enjoy the show

Keep your rod tip low to or in the water will decrease jumping.

X2 on this.  I love it when a fish jumps.  The only time I really make an effort to keep a fish from jumping is if it's a biggun and I want to land and weigh/photo it.  otherwise.  Let the good times roll.

[Gangley]

What do you like to do when your catch goes air-born?

First time I ever saw it I just kinda paused, stared, and quickly lost the fish.

Now I keep reeling and start talking to him like he is a thief trying to get away from me.   "Oh no you don't! Get back Here! Where do you think you're going buddy?", and then watch the fish laugh and leave  

[WRB]

If bass never jumped they would be carp.

If a big bass wants to jump, it's going to jump. Just enjoy the moment and try to keep the fish under control.

WRB

[J Francho]

In a tournament, I try to bury the rod tip before it jumps. Some big fish are uncontrollable on light tackle, and will jump anyway. I try to take advantage of the fish by turning its head in mid air, and reeling him in fast to get control by the boat. Afterward, figure eighting the fish boatside, with most of the rod underwater, until its ready for the net is the best plan.

If I'm just fishing for fun, I laugh, and let them jump, unless its a truly big fish.

An example of regaining control of an out of control 5 lb. smallie. I just turned the head of the fish, while it was in midair on its 3rd jump, and its heading right at me, with me reeling in fast to keep pressure on the fish:

Result, after what seemed like an eternity of figure eighting:

[Teal101]

Let em jump.

Nothing like a smallie going airborn then running straight down to get away!

[Captain Rhino]

I watched an episode of River Monsters the other day, and it happened to be an "airborne" special. When a fish would jump, the host would point the rod tip right at the fish. Personally, this didn't make much sense to me because it seems like you need to keep tension on the line or they'll throw it. But he is the one with the fishing show, not me. Like many have said here, keep the tip low and make sure to keep tension.

[Shawn OConnor]

If it jumps once, fine.  Twice you say?  I pull out my 40 cal Barretta and take a few shots.  If I miss it, I usually kill something in the general vacinity like a goose, beaver, other angler or the occasional Bald Eagle.  Worth like 1000 points.  ;D

Or if you time it right when the jump and jerk it just right, you can slam the bass against whoever is in the front of the boat.  Great laughs.

Seriously though, just keep your rod down best as possible.

[Muddy]

Enjoy the %@#&^ Out of it, especially river smallies on the Susqy: acrobats on steroids! 8-)