ToothyCritter

Like that change in direction when he turns to his left? We're still freaking frozen here, just got three inches of fresh snow. North Dakota is some BULL CRAP!

Yeah, black steel leader works well out here so far. Bass aren't very pressured because all the ND dudes do is walleye fishing it seems, so they aren't leader shy. Can't test any of these tips out until the ice melts, but first thing to concentrate on will be hook sets. Fish were holding pretty far out in the autumn, like 150 foot casts, which probably complicated things a bit lol.

I bank fish about half the time, other half from the kayak. From the bank I'll typically get right up to the water's edge and nab them there. No mobility issues yet, but if it comes to it I'll likely use a small trout net on a zinger.

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Braid gang unite! ?

Lots of great advice here that I'm taking in. I cast right handed and reel left, so no hand switching going on. Seems the main thing is the hook set I'm using (not winding down slack before setting). Also possibly the braid. I'll do some experimenting once we ice out. I've got a couple other baitcaster setups, but would hate to see this one gather dust. My wife bought it for me for my birthday lol. Helpful group of folks here!

Open light hook was in reference to the spoons, not the jig. I'll give a leader a go. Mind explaining what you mean by turn the fish/rod over?

Most were on for a bit while bringing them in, and usually threw the jig on a jump. One was huge when it came out of the water (typical story I know lol). So to negate user error if I were to keep the braid, reel faster to maintain tension on the line? Apply more sideward pressure on the rod?

Hook was pretty sticky. I'll try something other than (my beloved) braid. Thanks for the tip @FryDog62

Quick background, I fly fish but ND isn't too cooperative so I've taken up conventional tackle recently. Not new to fishing, but new to this side of it. I've got a 7' MH moderate fast Mojo Bass spinnerbait casting rod spooled with 20lb braid that is haunting me. Had a day on the water in September that could have been an awesome day of smallmouth fishing, except that multiple fish threw the hook on the jump and I lost most that day. It was infuriating. I was fishing with a 1/2oz chatterbait and couldn't get a solid hook set for the life of me. Fishing from the bank and casts were pretty far because that's where the fish were. Have also lost fish with this rod using spoons, which confuses me seeing as the hooks are open and fairly light wire. Does the spinnerbait rod simply not have enough backbone to set the hook home at that distance? Is there something I should have been doing differently? I've never lost so many fish in one day. Any ideas from experienced folks would be great.

I got here in September and loved it until December. I'm no stranger to cold, and I love winter, but this is just crazy. I think everywhere in the country is warmer than we are right now. Even Fairbanks, AK. Fishing here is great when the water is open though. And the fish aren't too heavily pressured (besides walleye that is). I've known a lot of people who have been stationed at Offutt (weather wing is there), and they all seemed to like it.

A little over 20 years Air Force, will likely retire in 4. This is my last duty station out of 9, and it's miserable Minot... we'll see if I can hack it until 2026 haha.