Do you have a bass fighting tip or two?

 

The muscular bass in my pond wait about a second before punching the accelerator. My tightened drag doesn't slip much because of all the weeds, as I need to have the ability to turn them if they run for the weeds. However, when they punch it, they can apply so much pressure that if they turn their heads as they sprint, the hook pops free. So, I keep more buttoned by bowing my rod when they surge. I extend my arm and drop my rod tip as they bolt and that works like a slipping drag.  

 

I also don't switch my rod from one side to another in mid-fight. A Bass Resourcer suggested that and I think it helps too. 

This maybe harder for you but, I usually fight rod tip down and keep my line more parallel to the water. I will keep a bend in the rod while doing this. There are times where I fight pulling up that is only if I’m trying to keep it up. 

Most of my lost fish come from the pulling up. 

Not a fighting technique but, snelled straight shank flippin hooks instead of EWG's. Hooks 'em in the roof of the mouth and does a better job of keeping them pinned.

Using the correct gear for the job at hand helps a lot.

 

Baitcasters for wenching power with cover around. Spinning for finesse.

Lots of tools might work, but specific tools work better for specific jobs. By simply using the correct, most efficient tackle, you can greatly reduce the amount of fish lost and put the odds in your favor.

 

I know you prefer spinning rods, and there is nothing wrong with that, but baitcasters can give you more control over the fight.  You can thumb the spool when you need to stop a run, but still have the drag set loose enough to keep from pulling hooks when the bass is in the open.  The same can be done with a spinning rod by palming the spool, but I prefer to thumb the spool on a baitcaster.

 

The drag on a spinning reel must be set looser than on a baitcaster because the line does not pull directly from the spool.  There is a slight lag time between the force pulling on the line, then transfer to pulling on the roller, then the force being switched to pulling on the spool.  Modern reels have mostly overcome this problem by putting quality bearings in the roller, and improving drags, but there is still some lag.  Once the drag starts letting line both reels are equal, but in order to make up for the first hard pull the drag on a spinning reel can't be set as tight.  Reeling while drag is going out on a spinning reel will twist the line.  A skilled angler will not reel while the line is going out with either reel, but if an excited angler makes a few turns on the handle with a baitcaster, no harm no fowl.

 

As far as fighting technique there is no right or wrong way to land a bass.  I prefer to take my time while others prefer to get them in quickly.  Both methods have advantages and disadvantages and it is way too early in the winter to start that argument.  Basically I apply maximum pressure and try and move a bass away from any cover as quickly as possible. I then switch tactics and fight them with finesse once away from any cover.  Many people put the wood to them all the way back to the boat, and are very successful, but I prefer to play a bass until the bass are through fighting before dealing with their boat side antics.  I feel because a bass does not go on hour long runs, causing time for hooks to wear holes in their mouths, and I am in no danger of getting spooled, I might as well take it easy and let the bass fight it out.  If the hook is in well enough to stay put for the first part of the fight, I don't want to horse the bass to the boat, and lose it at the end of the fight.  For those that like to bring the bass in as quickly as possible, I'm not saying you are wrong, it works for the majority of bass anglers, but It just doesn't work well for me.  I have landed  many large fish of multiple species on very light tackle with extremely small hooks, and most of the time when I have lost the battle it was because I tried to land them to quickly, not because I gave them too much time.  The same goes for the thousands of fish I have helped others land.  I don't know how many times someone has brought a fish to the boat that is still way to hot, and been mad at me when they have been knocked off by the net, or I have missed a gaff.  When a fish is ready to be brought to the boat, most of the excitement should be over.

 

As far as rod positing goes, that changes for me multiple times during the fight.  I may have my rod high one minute and the tip in the water the next.  I occasionally change my drag setting during the fight, but usually change pressure with either my thumb on the spool to increase tension, or bowing my rod toward the bass to quickly let up on the pressure. Bass rarely go on long enough runs, to overcome the amount of line I can give them by bowing my rod, and if they do, the drag although tight, will give before the line breaks.

 

I lose my share of big bass, and most of them are lost when I fail to instantly turn and get them away from cover.  Sitting down in a kayak does not help with the hook set and turn portion of the battle. If I lose a big bass during the middle of a fight it is because they jump.  When they jump I have tried praying and swearing with equal results.  I rarely lose a bass at boatside.  When I reach down to lip a bass they have been played out far enough away from my kayak that I don't have to worry about loosing them at the end of the fight.

 

From the description you give of the places and conditions you encounter in Main, I would recommend you use heavy baitcasting gear, and play your fish aggressively.  You are always around thick cover, and I never see pictures of your canoe in open water where playing a bass with finesse would be to your advantage.  Of course you have proved this can successfully be done with spinning gear, but you did ask for recommendations, and I  would recommend a different tool for the job.

Fresh and salt, I live for a fighting fish. I love it when they break for cover. I love it when they take long runs. I love the sound of screaming drag. I however HATE the idea of leaving a fish to suffer with a hook in its mouth due to break off. 

 

The only real advice I have to offer is 1) keep constant hook pressure on the fish and 2) turn the fish's head instantly if they start to bomb towards cover. 

 

Keeping those two principals in mind is about 90% of the battle. The break offs I've had are almost entirely due to issues on my line, check for nicks if you structure fish constantly like me, or me failing to turn the fish. I've had fish throw hooks due to lack of hook pressure more than anything, so keep the rod tip up. 

 

I fish spinning reel exclusively even when targeting very large fish. Maybe I'm a heretic. I've hauled everything in from bass to drum to sharks on spinning tackle and think the idea they're somehow only for light use is pretty outdated. But fish what makes you happy. It's supposed to be a fun hobby afterall! 

I should have titled this "What am I doing wrong?" for some of you instead of inviting you to share what you do right. 

 

FWIW, I have a blast fishing with my old spinning gear. 

I'm a spinning reel guy 100% in freshwater.

Not much I can add to what all the hammers here have already except one.

Counting, which started a long time ago throwing countdown Rapala's.

I do it now with almost all baits, of course not top waters or frogs.

My first casts now I count down to the bottom. Then adjust to whatever part of the water column is working.

Once I know the rate I can stop right before the bottom, if fishing a drop shot I know when to stop so I'm right on the bottom without too much line going out as I fish a lot of rocky bottom. 

Also I know if the bottom is a 25 count, and my line stops going out at 15, set the hook!!

I guess one other thing is just being aware what is going on around you on the water, something look off, a rise, nervous water, current seams in a river,  eddies, weed edges, types of weed, breaks, birds.

Just enjoy the day you have on the water, you never know which one will be your last.

 

Bass, trout, salmon or otherwise, the answer is side pressure.  Fishing with ultralight line and rods vs lake fresh steelhead will teach you that quickly.  Trying to pull upward to turn a fish’s head is a lot harder than turning its head to the side. Side and slightly back is best (though not the easiest with bass most of the time). What that means is practice is a low rod tip that is perpendicular to how the fish is facing or running. You can knock out a 10 lb lake fresh steelhead in about 2 minutes that way on 6 lb line. 

Ha!! I broke my glasses on Friday, I read the title as fishing tips, not fighting tips 

Well, I guess you have to hook em before ya fight em,,,,,,,,,, 

4 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Not a fighting technique but, snelled straight shank flippin hooks instead of EWG's. Hooks 'em in the roof of the mouth and does a better job of keeping them pinned.

The only EWG style hook I use is when fishing flukes. For those I use the Gammy hybrid hook. Everything else gets a Gammy Heavy Cover Flippin hook....and I mean everything...even Senkos. Once the hook is set, they never get off. I never snell mine.

11 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

Do you have a bass fighting tip or two?

 

The muscular bass in my pond wait about a second before punching the accelerator. My tightened drag doesn't slip much because of all the weeds, as I need to have the ability to turn them if they run for the weeds. However, when they punch it, they can apply so much pressure that if they turn their heads as they sprint, the hook pops free. So, I keep more buttoned by bowing my rod when they surge. I extend my arm and drop my rod tip as they bolt and that works like a slipping drag.  

 

I also don't switch my rod from one side to another in mid-fight. A Bass Resourcer suggested that and I think it helps too. 

I think you are doing everything right.  Everyone has a fish come unbuttoned from time to time.

If an average angler loses 10% of the fish they hook that's a low number.  If Katie loses 10% of the fish she hooks that is a big number!  Just trying to put it in perspective!  😂

6 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Trying to pull upward to turn a fish’s head is a lot harder than turning its head to the side. Side and slightly back is best (though not the easiest with bass most of the time)

Control the head control the fight! 

I don't keep records or notes, but I believe this year has been average as to landing % for me.  

 With one peculiar, maybe coincidental, footnote.  Three times this year I lost very big fish on straightaway runs.  No jump, no violent shakes, just drag peeling runs away, and then nothing...almost felt as if they broke off.  All three on t-rig with 12# flouro and Owner hooks.  Certainly, the hookset is part of the problem, but the repeated sudden loss on straight runs is something I don't recall in past years.

 

   Like anyone, I lose bass on jumps.  But I like to think that I have done a better job of minimizing jumps.  I am not sure I can adequately describe what I do, so maybe it is more feel and experience than actual technique.  When the fish is coming up quickly, I slow my reeling, put the rod tip low, even into water sometimes and sweep sideways to keep pressure, more than reeling for control.  Simply reeling fast seems to sort of give them a bit of more upward momentum...but that could be in my head.

Ha…you’re funny @Swamp Girl….. asking what am I doing wrong on catching fish. With your numbers?

Thats like Bill Ross asking me on how to paint a picture, or

 Mike Tyson asking me how to box. Even better, Chuck Norris asking me….  Well don’t know what Chuck Norris would ask me… He’d probably tell me the answer to the question I haven’t asked and I’d better get it right. 

I can only echo what has been mentioned..... that side pressure will lose less fish than upward pressure during the fight.

Lost 2 big fish this past year that swam directly under the boat and all I was left with was a vertical fight.

An other consideration is the position of fisherman " woman " .

From a seated position, range of motion is limited vs standing and height of gunwales can also be a factor.

The number one tip I have is something I learned from my Lake Baccarac guide, Sixto, several years ago. When a fish would come up to tailwalk, he would order me to “pull down! Pull down!”. Not only can that change the direction of the fish and make it decide against jumping, but it also can keep the tension in the line if the fish does jump. I now do it subconsciously and I believe it has saved me countless fish. 
 

 

2 hours ago, GRiver said:

Ha…you’re funny @Swamp Girl….. asking what am I doing wrong on catching fish. With your numbers?

Catches more fish than anybody on this forum and is still humble enough to ask everyone else for advice! 

The goal is to fight the fish with rod pressure coming from the bottom of the rod where all the power is and try to keep the fish from jumping which, to me, means rod tip below horizontal...I guess 

 

 

52 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

The goal is to fight the fish with rod pressure coming from the bottom of the rod where all the power is...

 

"Where all the power is?"

 

I'm not following. Still scratching my head on this one!

Suprised at the variety of responses.  I lose the most fish fighting it up and down with the rod, instead of side to side. I will often switch sides once or twice too if needed. I very rarely lose a fish by switching, but you must switch quickly to not allow any slack.
I can tell if the fish is coming up to jump, so I lower the rod tip nearly into the water to prevent the jump. If they jump, the chances go up on losing the fish. 
Its most important to keep constant pressure on a bass. I fish eel grass a lot , which makes that difficult. A stiffer rod helps some to neutralize eel grass affects on the fight.

I don’t use a net or boat flip fish over 17 inches. I couldn’t tell you the last time I lost a fish at the boat by lipping or palming the fish…I do mainly fish in a JB low to the water, so it’s easier for me to reach over and grab them.

Most of the fish I lose are at or shortly after the hookset, not well into the fight.

I have cut down on line breaks by examining the line for nicks after every fish, or if the line came into contact with an abrasive substance…

Tough to give advice in this situation.  But this is what I would do.  First, '' What is old spinning gear ?  Is it that old ? Is the drag in good shape ?

I would use heavier line.  Some of today's braids are much thinner and much stronger.  You could get away with 25 lb. for spinning.  

 

Using side pressure to lead the fish away from grass is a GOOD idea.  

 

I try to fight the fish in the open... getting  away from the grass if possible.

 

I use my ELBOW.  Putting the rod grip under your elbow... you get much more power.

 

When I loose a bass because it jumped, I count it as caught because of the show.  I don't fish tournaments anymore.

 

 

1 hour ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

 

"Where all the power is?"

 

I'm not following. Still scratching my head on this one!

Poor choice of words...was trying to convey backbone...sorry man. 

When fishing heavy cover use a reel with good drag, heavy line, heavy rod and give them as little slack as possible. Turn the fish's head and get it moving in your direction and don't stop. Fish will bury in weeds quickly and use them to leverage the hook out. Use superline hooks on T-rigs. If you lose a big bass on a regular hook that straightened, you'll never forget. If you use good quality superline hooks with heavy braid you won't lose many and they last a long time and take a good sharpening.

 

Conversely, when fighting a good fish on trebles with little or no cover around, give them loose drag and play them lightly. They will jump less and you stand a much better chance of landing them. I will often loosen my drag after hooking a big bass and just use my thumb to turn it if necessary until it's tired. Then I will tighten a little to land it. I use braid on my topwaters and some trebles, so adjusting the drag looser is a must. Don't play the bass with the rod up in the air like Bill Dance. That's for the camera. I lost many a bass at the boat doing this when I was young.

 

When fishing with a single hook in open water, I try to set the drag somewhere near 2/3 of the test of the recommended line. I say recommended because I use 30#braid on BC and 20# on spinning instead of the recommended mono line. I'm not telling people to use the line I use. You do you. This works best for me.

Fighting big fish in general it’s extremely important to keep the fish in front of you. This means following the fish to keep straight out in front of you not letting the fish get an angle. Bass are not that strong or fast but you still loose control if big bass gets an angle on you.

Tom

13 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

I should have titled this "What am I doing wrong?" for some of you instead of inviting you to share what you do right. 

 

FWIW, I have a blast fishing with my old spinning gear. 

It would be difficult to tell you what you are doing wrong without watching you land a bass.  I would suspect that you are not doing anything wrong.  Bass get away, that is one reason why they are America's most popular sport fish.  Because it would be impossible to critique your landing technique without watching you fight a bass and the fact that you most likely don't do anything wrong, the only advice I could give, is how I have had success landing bass.  The only thing I might be able to consider a disadvantage in your technique is the use of spinning gear.  You fish for large bass in heavy cover with mid to heavy tackle.  I believe you would land more of the larger bass you hook using baitcasting gear fishing the conditions you describe in your posts.

 

I have landed fish anywhere from 1/2 pound  bluegill to 200 pound tuna on spinning gear.  The modern spinning gear we have now combined with modern lines makes it possible to replace conventional gear for any kind of fishing.  I can also use my Swiss Army knife for a screwdriver, but prefer to use a more specialized tool most of the time.  Bass fishing in heavy cover with power techniques in my opinion is best done with baitcasting gear.

 

If you like to use spinning gear use it.   Bass fishing is all about having fun.  You land far more bass than I do, know you lakes, and the bass in them far better than I ever could, and have fun fishing for them your way.  Why would you want to change?