19 replies to this topic

[flippin Dan]

I hung a fish that would easily break 8 and probably 9 and lost it. I wanted to puke over the side of the boat. I am fishing with 50 lb power pro and am used to bringing my fish to the boat pretty quick. I have lost the 2 biggest fish I have ever hooked this spring and I think it is from putting too much pressure on them. How do you guys fight bigger than average fish in less than 6 foot of water?? Slow or fast?? I think it is kinda like buck fever when deer hunting and I need to let the fish wear down instead of trying to horse them in. Fishing grass beds so I have to get them out of it but I am talking once they are in open water.

[stkbassn]

I understand how you feel about losing those fish for sure...I just had a dream this morning that I lost a huge one and I'm still sick about it LOL.

Seriously though, I try to get them in as quickly as possible but it's tough to horse a fish that big so I try to let them fight themselves out a bit before really putting a lot of pressure on them...I just try to apply and maintain steady pressure on the fish and hope for the best. I don't waste any time mind you but I won't horse a fish that big as much as I want it in the net in a hurry. Sometimes you lose, that's just part of the game in fishing. Keeps us coming back every time!

[J Francho]

Line strength, not fish size dictates how to handle a big fish. If I have enough control to play them by the boat, then I have enough control to get them in the net.

[aclark609]

Sounds like you need to loosen your drag a little. Keep steady pressure on her but always have your drag loose enough to allow her to take a run if she wants to. Don't hesitate to loosen your drag mid-fight either.

[flippin Dan]

The first thing I did after losing her was loosen my drag a few clicks. I am using 7 ft m/h lightning rods and this has sure got me wondering if a better rod with a faster tip would help or not.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I dont really worry about line strength its more about keeping the hook from tearing from the fishes mouth. I let the fish play and keep it from jumping as much as possible.

[roadwarrior]

Keep the rod tip high (10-12 o'clock) and the drag setting 3-4 lbs.
The rod will allow some cushion and the reel will release under pressure
or sudden surge. Both smallmouth in my avatar and the Big Fish at Guntersville
last week were caught using Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4.

[flippin and pitchin]

Lat year this happened to my buddy right in front of me, TWICE. He switched to a straight shanked flippin hook and landed everything else that bit. Go figure. Are you comportable your rod has the power to set the hook into bone ? Just some thoughts.

[flippin Dan]

I have never owned a rod that cost over about $40 but I nearly feel it is too strong (not enough flex). Confident on the hook set but losing faith in ability to land fish. I know it is probably me doing something wrong (over pressuring) and the fish was hooked so that I could see my bait when she jumped. I wish she were hooked deeper. I was fishing for $100 pot and weighed in 7-8 and lost to 8-2, would have won enough to buy a better rod. On a brighter note out of 5 boats only 2 of us caught fish so at least I am on fish, just wanna catch at least one monster in my life.

[Triton21]

When I am hooked-up to a big fish(over 3lb) I let the fish dictate the fight. The only time I put lots of pressure is to guide it away from structure that it might hang up on. I allow a big fish wear itself down before I bring it to the net. The best way to learn to another site is experience.
Kelley

[BassmanDan]

If it's a big fish in open water I do a couple things- loosen the drag during the fight (I keep it locked down for the hookset) because she will make a couple of big surges when she gets close and sees the boat, and secondly maintain as much pressure as possible without making her jump. If she does come up I try and see if the hook is buried good- if it is then all that is left is playing her out and onto my thumb.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

Fishing different techniques and making a decision to set the hook different ways....usually in spring most of the bass in spawn will just tap the bait or maybe even sometimes I won't even feel the bite, just watch the line and set the hook. Most of your crankbaits lipless or diving, the hook will usually set itself but I give an extra pull back, setting your drag is essential, the fish need play and they will get tired.
Topwater bite was hard for me to learn, when I was a younger angler I used to cast out a pop-r and get hits but I would set the hook to fast.Now I wait for my bait to disappear and wait for the pressure of the fish and set the hook.

[RoLo]

Given the proper drag-setting, line failure is typically the result of frayed or nicked line, rather than big fish.
I might have 30-lb braid spooled on my reel, but if I miss one bad fray, I might actually be fishing with 10-lb test line.
A good habit is to frequently run your fingertips over the fishing line in search of abraded line.
If we miss a fray or nick in the line, the biggest fish of the day is sure to find it for us.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one other thing. A couple years back I had a bad experience with PowerPro braid.
Like so many anglers, I used and loved PowerPro for a couple years, that is, until my wife and I began to experience
numerous unwarranted breakoffs. PowerPro was above board and admitted that they distributed bad batchs of line
in their bulk spools. PowerPro also offered me a free batch spool which I declined (what happened to Bantam1?).
Anyway, today we exclusively use Berkley Fireline Tracer Braid with nary a beef.

When bass are in heavy cover (routine in central Florida), I don't hesitate to exert maximum pressure.
Frankly, my biggest concern is breaking the rod, not the line. Given a proper drag setting and unfrayed line,
just keep the rod 90-degrees to the line. "O'clock positions" are not as reliable because they change constantly
according to changes in "water depth" and changes in "fish distance" from the boat. High tensile modulus blanks
cost bucko bucks, but as the rod angle departs from perpendicular, the effective modulus is proportionately reduced.
For instance, point the rod-tip directly at the fish and the tensile modulus is zero as the reel-spool fights the fish

Roger

[200racing]

i back my drag off and use my hand to on the spool to pull when i need to pull hard.
if there is no cover i will even chase with a trolling motor.

[aclark609]

The first thing I did after losing her was loosen my drag a few clicks. I am using 7 ft m/h lightning rods and this has sure got me wondering if a better rod with a faster tip would help or not.

I get what you're saying. For me, a stiff rod is recipe for heart brake in almost every situation. I've never owned the rod you have but I can personally vouch for Dobyn's and Powell rods. They have similar lengths and the actions are quite similar. Just enough bend to keep em pinned but not wimpy by any means. I'd check out the diesel series by Powell if you don't wanna spend over a 100 dollars. Also, when it comes to braided line, I'll never use anything but Sunline ever again.