So today I went out on my local golf course ponds to see if any fish were on beds yet. Sure enough 2 4-5 pound fish were sitting right where I could pitch to. Bigger of the 2 ate my jig immediately and I set the hook. My leader to main line knot broke and now the fish has a 3/8 oz black and blue AP jig in her lip. 

 

What I want to know is:

 

-How necessary are leaders when bed fishing? (Is straight braid ok?)

-Will the jig rust out? (Hate to see a fish like that have a jig in it for the rest of its life...)

 

I'm really not too mad about losing the fish, more worried that it won't be able to spawn because of my jig.

I don't like leaders for that very reason. I still catch bass, and big ones with straight braid. I think bedding bass can see you so the line is not of major concern.

 

Who knows about the jig. But bass are pretty crafty when it comes to backing hooks out. Hopefully it works the jig against something until it's loose and falls out.

I rarely ever break a leader, unless I work

at busting it off on a snag.

 

But you should be able to use straight braid

when bed fishing. If they don't bother taking

any of your presentations anymore, try a leader

again. If it works, then use a leader  

32 minutes ago, Darren. said:

I rarely ever break a leader, unless I work

at busting it off on a snag.

 

But you should be able to use straight braid

when bed fishing. If they don't bother taking

any of your presentations anymore, try a leader

again. If it works, then use a leader  

May I ask what knot you tie?

Go with a Palomar for attaching any lure to any type line while bass fishing. As a matter of fact, I use it for everything unless I get offshore and can't pull it high with higher pound test stuff or if I'm fly fishing for trout when I need something that doesn't eat so much line.

 

Knots breaking really just should not be an issue.

7 minutes ago, Marshfly said:

Go with a Palomar for attaching any lure to any type line while bass fishing. As a matter of fact, I use it for everything unless I get offshore and can't pull it high with higher pound test stuff or if I'm fly fishing for trout when I need something that doesn't eat so much line.

 

Knots breaking really just should not be an issue.

I use a palomar for line-lure connection. For line-leader I generally use an alberto but it has failed me multiple times. Any line-leader suggestions?

 

Why would a spawning bass that's cleaning house, decide that braided line is unworthy of housecleaning? 

For the record, I fish straight-braid all year round without any leader,

but then again, I only target stupid bass with poor eyesight  

 

Roger

 

You should be fine using straight braid when bed fishing. They are mainly hitting it out of aggression and just don't want the bait near their bed. That being said what was your leader setup (knot, what lb braid to what lb leader)? 

You must not be tying the alberto knot right. I have never broke it, and use it all the time.

1 hour ago, YoungPlug said:

May I ask what knot you tie?

 

Sure! I mostly tie a uni-to-uni, or

a modified Albright where I go up 

about 8-15 wraps (depending on 

line diameter), and back down

7-10 times, then moisten, tighten.

 

I give strong pulls before ever dropping

 my line.

 

So I've practice-tied these knots for 

years. Getting a well-tied knot is 

crucial, IMO.

24 minutes ago, YoungPlug said:

I use a palomar for line-lure connection. For line-leader I generally use an alberto but it has failed me multiple times. Any line-leader suggestions?

 

I normally go Albright but if you are having problems you might have too much difference in the diameter of the line and leader. Try doubling up the thin line you are using. I'm usually using 20-40# Suffix 832 so don't have to do that.

4 hours ago, YoungPlug said:

So today I went out on my local golf course ponds to see if any fish were on beds yet. Sure enough 2 4-5 pound fish were sitting right where I could pitch to. Bigger of the 2 ate my jig immediately and I set the hook. My leader to main line knot broke and now the fish has a 3/8 oz black and blue AP jig in her lip. 

 

What I want to know is:

 

-How necessary are leaders when bed fishing? (Is straight braid ok?)

-Will the jig rust out? (Hate to see a fish like that have a jig in it for the rest of its life...)

 

I'm really not too mad about losing the fish, more worried that it won't be able to spawn because of my jig.

Tie straight braid all the time.  It doesn't make a difference, bedding or not.   They're not looking at your line and analyzing, they're fish.  

 

As others said, palomar knot is the way to go.

 

The hook won't rust out.  if it's in the corners of it's mouth, they'll shake it out soon enough. if you drove it though the roof of the mouth, it's gonna be there a while.  I think if the bait is outside the mouth, they can live with it until it works free.

Leader is not needed, and I doubt that hook will rust out.  If it is a good size fish it will continue to eat as long as the throat is not blocked off.  There is a good shot at catching that bass in the future if you know where it lives.  Then you can remove both hooks.  I have caught fish with hooks from rattle traps, zaro spooks, and big swimbaits and they still wanted to eat.

50 minutes ago, RoLo said:

 

Why would a spawning bass that's cleaning house, decide that braided line is unworthy of housecleaning? 

For the record, I fish straight-braid all year round without any leader,

but then again, I'm only targeting stupid bass with poor eyesight  

 

Roger

 

Never used a leader in my life.One less thing to fail

Yup - straight braid, no leader ever.

1 minute ago, MassBassin508 said:

Never used a leader in my life.One less thing to fail

 

 

Exactly

In addition to one less knot, I'd much rather fight a 12-pound bass

on knotted braid than knotted fluorocarbon...but no one goes there.

 

Roger

 

4 minutes ago, RoLo said:

 

 

Exactly

In addition to one less knot, I'd much rather fight a 12-pound bass

on knotted braid than knotted fluorocarbon...but no one goes there.

 

Roger

 

I like the way you think partner

Man that's an original name that I'm sure wasn't inspired by a youtube star

2 hours ago, YoungPlug said:

May I ask what knot you tie?

Use a double uni knot for main line to leader connections. This is my go to knot for all connection applications. 

15 minutes ago, everythingthatswims said:

Man that's an original name that I'm sure wasn't inspired by a youtube star

Who's that?

2 hours ago, RoLo said:

 

Why would a spawning bass that's cleaning house, decide that braided line is unworthy of housecleaning? 

For the record, I fish straight-braid all year round without any leader,

but then again, I only target stupid bass with poor eyesight  

 

Roger

 

Now I know what the problem is... We have Florida bass here!

6 minutes ago, Catt said:

Now I know what the problem is... We have Florida bass here!

 

Now tell me, how bad a problem is that?  

 

 

1 minute ago, RoLo said:

 

Now tell me, how bad a problem is that?

 

 

As long as it ain't Gators no problem

40 minutes ago, MassBassin508 said:

Who's that?

Jon B. has referred to himself as that for quite some time

2 hours ago, YoungPlug said:

For line-leader I generally use an alberto but it has failed me multiple times. Any line-leader suggestions?

don't worry you're not alone. for whatever reason i could never get that knot to work. it even failed me while casting and i watched my new buzzbait sail off into the distance. obviously it's a user error but i just couldn't get Alberto or Albright to work.  I now use Uni to uni and have never had a failure.