I laugh pure joy.

I have rarely ever seen a bass jump, unless it's one that is hooked or broke a bait off and the hook is stuck in it's face.  

9 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I have rarely ever seen a bass jump, unless it's one that is hooked or broke a bait off and the hook is stuck in it's face.  

What?

Nearly every smallmouth I have ever caught jumped at least once and usually 2-3 times!

I reel in the slack and sweep my rod back while they're in the air. My hope is to take up the slack and keep pressure on the bass.

20 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

What?

Nearly every smallmouth I have ever caught jumped at least once and usually 2-3 times!

Right.  Read my tongue in cheek response again.

Went right over my head...good one!

 

15 minutes ago, redux said:

I reel in the slack and sweep my rod back while they're in the air. My hope is to take up the slack and keep pressure on the bass.

 

I do the same as this and more often than not I keep the fish on. As mentioned earlier unless you have a good hook into a stiffer part of them its still a crap shoot but my success has been higher as mentioned be Redux.

 

I also bring my rod up high if I start to feel the line going towards the surface. I feel like it helps keep a similar angle as if they were deeper with the rod lower.