The Strike, The Hook Set, or the Fight?

[SirSnookalot]

If we are talking LMB, it's none of the above..........

It's all about keeping a quality fish on the line during multiple jumps, probably when most fish are lost.

[fishizzle]

I like the moment you set the hook and see if it loads up or "swing and a miss".  The load up part is the one I like

[angler1]

The fight, followed by lippin' the fish.

[roadwarrior]

The fight that begins when a big smallmouth

sees the boat. 20-30 yards of screaming drag

and then she jumps. It doesn't get any better

than that!

8-)

[Red Bear]

If we are talking LMB, it's none of the above..........

It's all about keeping a quality fish on the line during multiple jumps, probably when most fish are lost.

so its not really none of the above for you. i would call keeping the fish on the line part of the fight, whether he is jumping or not. to me its jumping is just one of the scenarios you face during the fight.

as for me, i would have to go with the fight. everyone has days where they might get bit but not get the hooksets, then you might get the hookset but the fish comes off anyways, so for me its the fight. i love that adrenaline rush i get after landing a nice fish that i had to fight

[Pitchinkid]

Pitching a laydown and feeling that "tick". Game over.

[BassnMan Mike]

For me one of the best feelings is seeing a monster bass lurking under your swimbait and the anticipation of the strike.

However to me the best feeling is watching the bass swim away when I release her after a great battle!

[Grey Wolf]

Definately the strike.

[A-Jay]

OK - How about making all this ice melt so we can stop talking about it and go out and do it !

A-Jay

[SirSnookalot]

so its not really none of the above for you. i would call keeping the fish on the line part of the fight, whether he is jumping or not. to me its jumping is just one of the scenarios you face during the fight.

Always have the option of keeping my rod tip real low to avoid jumping and throwing the hook, but then the fight lacks a bit of luster.  Jumping is what makes it fun.

[bigfruits]

nothing beats fighting a fat smallie on light line for me.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I can't pick one. I think that's why I'm so addicted to this wonderful sport. I love reeling in a crankbait, and one of those ill-tempered smallies smacks it so hard, my heart stops. Then the hookset, you rear back, and she's pulling so hard, you think you're hooked to the bottom of the lake. Now the fight, I'm one of those wierdos that likes them to jump. I love acrobatic fish.

Falcon

[TommyBass]

Nothing is better to me than feeling a big "thump-thump" and watching your line take off sideways. The anticipation of what's on the other end is what's awesome!

I like the fight too, but really today's modern equipment has taken that down alot.  Giant stiff rods, hard cranking reels with lights-out drag, and humongous test lines make bass fishing fights turn into more of a formality.  Only unless you choose lighter tackle does it become more fun - which I generally choose to do.

[grimlin]

I can't pick one either.....All 3 excite me. The whole perspective of catching that fish from start to finish is just awesome.

[fourbizz]

There is nothing in the world that makes my heart jump as much as a bite on a Huddleston. Nothing.

[skeeterman24]

I would have to say pitching a jig under a dock and your line magically starts moving sideways.

[Dalton Tam]

I love a worm or jig strike, if you can call that a strike other than a bite. I just love knowing that they're caught while they don't even know it.

[Bass_Akwards]

Good stuff guys!  So fun to read.

I've struggled with this one but I gotta say, I think I'm a hook set guy.  The hookset to me is everything that happens after the strike and before the fight. 

In that case, the 2 seconds after I feel that "bump" and the anticipation of what's possibly on my lure PLUS the actual YANK of my rod to feel that fish all loaded up right before the actual fight is just epic fun for me.  It's only about 3-5 seconds total, but d**n do I love it.

[River Rat316]

A river smallie absolutely crushing a fast moving buzzbait is by far the best for me, second would be the crushing thump on a jig and pig followed by a solid connection and the rod bowing and a little drag peeling off, either largie or smallie on that one.

[NJBass12]

The strike...especailly a small mouth crushing a moving bait or a large mouth busting through the weeds after a top water frog.

[pitchin fool]

I love when you are fishing a soft plastic and don't even feel a nibble, but your line starts floating away from you and then you say to your buddy "There's one right now!" and bam you bear down and set that hook.  Oh, man nothing makes me smile more. ;D

[aarogb]

Any strike that I can see, whether it be a topwater strike or a surface swimbait strike is pretty amazing to me.

[pitchNbass]

My favorite has to be the anticipation of seeing a fish when you know you know you have a good one on the line.

From the list of options, I guess that more goes closely with the fight. Although, it sure is nice when you are having a slow day and you get that first good bite. 

[Bankbeater]

Getting that fish in the boat .

[ttufishinman]

you cant beat jacking the jaw of a nice largemouth my favorite is definitely a flippin hookset its the greatest feeling in the world.