I have taken some of the advice that has been offered.  I have upgraded my hooks by going to upgraded lures, Sebile Flatt Shad's.  I am using a glass, moderate action rod.  Lately, my success rate on boating fish has greatly improved.  Best I can recall, I have only lost one fish in the past several weeks.  All others, in the boat.  

 

Braided line?  I thought that was a no no as the lack of stretch would pull the lure through the fish's mouth.  ??

 

Thanks,

 

Bob

I fish braid and nothing else. I have never had the problem with pulling the lure through the fish's mouth that alot of people talk about. It just seems to me that all the stretch would make for a weaker hook set. But then again to each his own.

Yes sir, braided line. Get the stretch from your rod, I like a moderate fast action rod, MH or H power. The braided line would be for the classic ripping through grass technique.

 

Larger size hooks works well. I like to switch out a #4 belly hook for a #2 on a 1/2 oz lipless crank. You can pair up the rear hook with a #2 as well and not kill the action of the bait.

It wouldn't hurt to loosen your drag a bit even with the moderate action rod.