Was casting parallel to a long line of cover this morning. Made a long cast and the hooks fouled on my line. In a hurry to get back to fishing as quick as possible, I burned the thing back very fast and afterwards I couldn't stop thinking about all the racket I made bringing the lure back to me, wondering if I spooked any fish. 

 

Probably way overthinking this. What do you do?

Way overthinking it.  Imagine a Whopper Plopper or buzbait....I do the same as you.  I'd imagine that one of these times a fish is going to hit it anyway. 

I fish squarebills a lot in the river and use a snap for quick changes...that causes hook foul-ups more often.  Once in awhile when I'm bringing in the bait while its twirling on top, a smallmouth will hammer it.  They rarely hook up, though, however.

Watch the in flight of the lure after casting. If the lure tumbles your casting motion needs to be changed. Front treble hook snags the line in flight, rarely during the retrieve  because the hooks are facing away from the line pull. If you snag the front hook retrieving the lure change the line and use a light weight smaller snap or tie direct.

Tom

19 hours ago, WRB said:

Watch the in flight of the lure after casting. If the lure tumbles your casting motion needs to be changed. Front treble hook snags the line in flight, rarely during the retrieve  because the hooks are facing away from the line pull. If you snag the front hook retrieving the lure change the line and use a light weight smaller snap or tie direct.

Tom

It is almost always on the retrieve. This instance was on a Rat-L-Trap, and I tied direct to the split ring provided from the factory. Currently using 12lb Trilene XL. How would moving up or down in line weight/diameter affect it?

If you like that lure and it happens a lot while yo-yo-ing or popping it off the bottom, consider changing hooks.  A shorter shank may help you out.  (It could screw up the action, though.)  I am one who hated having to change hooks on perfectly good baits -- and refused for years.  But, I have to admit that once I started experimenting a little with different sizes, bends, shank lengths, etc...it is rather fascinating how much it can affect a lure -- whether it is a fouling issue, or the way it reacts with weeds or wood; the wobble or the fall...I hate dealing with the variables, but I do admit that it is interesting and I've stumbled into upgrading lures from the trash heap to great producers.

 

As to the noisy retrieve, I wouldn't think twice about it.

2 hours ago, Uncle_MC said:

It is almost always on the retrieve. This instance was on a Rat-L-Trap, and I tied direct to the split ring provided from the factory. Currently using 12lb Trilene XL. How would moving up or down in line weight/diameter affect it?

You tied direct and using 12# mono should be ideal. Your lure starts out running correctly and snags the retrieve is unusual. 

Tom

I've caught several fish on fouled lures and my PB smallmouth came on a topwater that got fouled during the cast. I just make the best of the situation and fish it like the bait is extra injured/vulnerable.

 

 

2 hours ago, Michigander said:

I've caught several fish on fouled lures and my PB smallmouth came on a topwater that got fouled during the cast. I just make the best of the situation and fish it like the bait is extra injured/vulnerable.

 

I cant recall ever catching a bass on a lure that is fouled up . Maybe it has happened but I dont remember.

Unless they’re super spooky, I imagine the thought bubble looking something like this:

 

”whoa...that guy’s really hauling the mail...interesting....”

 

Next cast: “HAY LOOK, FOOD *CHOMP*”

 

Bass are doofy. Unless they’re feeling super vulnerable on a cloudless, calm, quiet day...you’re probably just fine.