Bass_Akwards Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 Again, I've asked this before, but I wonder if some people have changed their minds, and what new members of the board think? Obviously there's no one here who doesn't love all four of these things, BUT What's your favorite part of catching a largemouth bass? The bite? The hook set? The fight? Or is it finally pulling that fish out of the water and into the boat or shore to hold it? Tough call but there's just something about that hook set and buttoning a fish that I just can't help but to absolutely love more than anything. LOVE to feel that rod loaded up on a nice big mama. "Hook Set" is my choice! Quote
Oscar O. Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 I'd have to agree here with the hook set. To me the others can be a bit hit or miss, but the hook set is always fun. Fighting and lifting depend more on the size of the fish and the bite is more fun when sight fishing or using a topwater, but overall I feel that the hook set is more constant among fish of different sizes. HOWEVER! Putting all of these elements together is what got me addicted to the sport! Quote
gotarheelz14 Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 hookset by far. It is the reason I love fishing Jigs so much. You reaaaalllyyy get to let them have it with those big, exposed jig hooks! Quote
NBR Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 I go with the bite. Without that the others are all non-events. Quote
Super User Lund Explorer Posted April 15, 2011 Super User Posted April 15, 2011 I would agree with the hookset if it wasn't for all of the times that a dink was on the other end of the line (also?) and where the mere act of setting the hook drags that little puppy a foot or so. Granted setting the hook into a fish that doesn't move is a real charge, but it doesn't happen as often as I'd like. For me, I'll stay with "The Bite". It is that moment of anticipation between the first tick and the swing when my mind sets up for the ensuing fight that does the trick for me. There's also topwater to consider, as well as the bite that a smallie smacks into a spinnerbait like you just nailed a runaway train. Yeah, it's the bite! Quote
Super User clayton86 Posted April 15, 2011 Super User Posted April 15, 2011 i guess "the bite" seeing the big swirl or splash of them smashing a lure on the top or just under the surface. or that flash of the gill plate or the side of the fish when it smacks the lure. I like the visial bites the best. if i cant see nothing i gotta go with the fight Quote
Missouribassman95 Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 The bite because even a little 13in'er can hit the bait just as hard as an 20in'er! Quote
tn_basschaser Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 The bite for me. The anticipation is addicting. Quote
Super User Paul Roberts Posted April 15, 2011 Super User Posted April 15, 2011 I like them in hand. That's what all the rest is for! Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted April 15, 2011 Super User Posted April 15, 2011 For me,as with any fish I'm catching, the fight is the only thing that matters. If the fish run small or the species are not strong fighters I use light tackle. This bite, hookset,drag and hoist technique ain't for me. Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 Its a combination depending on the lure i'm using. Topwater----would be the bite...just can't beat that explosive strike here.. Worm/Jig-----the hookset...feeling the tick and reeling out the slack..pausing just a moment to make sure the fish has it good ....then WHAM!!!!.....Hookset!!!!....Fish On!!!! Crank bait/Spinner bait----The Fight.....Mostly with the crankbait cause ya gotta be gentle, you never know how good there hooked so you have to play with them a bit. All the above share the same satisfaction of a job well done when the fish is in the boat 2 Quote
Super User bilgerat Posted April 15, 2011 Super User Posted April 15, 2011 I love a freight train reaction bite on a moving bait, followed by a nice fight where the drag gets a workout. Quote
BassThumb Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 My favorite is the bite, but feeling that first pump from the fish after the hookset is great, and lipping a big fish is always a thrill. Quote
Super User South FLA Posted April 15, 2011 Super User Posted April 15, 2011 The strike! Especially top-water bite! Quote
Super User RoLo Posted April 16, 2011 Super User Posted April 16, 2011 I've gotta hand it to you guys, you ask some very provocative questions. You have forced me to confront myself, and a reality that’s less than pomp. My batting average is not 1000, so I need the fish in hand to be convinced that I’ve succeeded. Differently put, the Bite, the Hookset and the Fight, all preface my ability to physically "boat" the fish. Roger Quote
Super User deep Posted April 16, 2011 Super User Posted April 16, 2011 It's the bite for me. I fish plastics and jigs a lot, mostly on slack line. The line jumping or moving off, or that subtle tick is what I fish for. Of course, it doesn't help that most of the time I catch only little 12" to 15" bass. Even with rattle-traps, which is my favorite bait, feeling the bite just after I ripped it through some grass is hard to beat IMO. Besides, I read that 90% of bass fishing is finding the right location. Getting the bite confirms my choice of location, whether I land that fish or not. Quote
Global Moderator Mike L Posted April 16, 2011 Global Moderator Posted April 16, 2011 Top water bite...Definatly Finese hook set...2nd Mike Quote
Flangler Posted April 16, 2011 Posted April 16, 2011 The bite! Just knowing the fish are there to be caught! Quote
VABassin'14 Posted April 16, 2011 Posted April 16, 2011 To me it has to be putting my hands on the fish. The satisfaction of a job well done and knowing that you did everything right to get the fish out of the water is a really rewarding feeling. So for me it has to be landing the fish. Quote
Mattlures Posted April 16, 2011 Posted April 16, 2011 For me its the moment I realize its big. Thats when My heart starts pounding. When I am not catching anything big, then its the bite and hook set because I am hoping its big Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted April 17, 2011 Global Moderator Posted April 17, 2011 I'd have to say the hookset, because that's when you get to find out if it's a big one or just another dink. Quote
7mm-08 Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 I'd say with me it varies a lot depending on the technique/bait I'm using, my mood, and even between different fish on the the same day. If I'm fishing a topwater frog, then the initial bite + getting a good hookset will be what excites me the most. With my UL setup, fighting a big fish on light tackle + the landing of said fish with UL equipment are going to be the best. Those are my two favorite ways to fish and give the same thrill in different ways. Some fish hit lightly then pull like a truck once hooked. Some dinks hit like an NFL linebacker. In a nutshell, I can get my "fix" on any of the four and I really couldn't pick a favorite. Quote
zenyoungkoh Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Probably holding the fish. I always get mad when i lose a fish. Quote
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