I've been fishing at my neighbors pond. We havn't been getting much rain lately so the water level of the pond has dropped quite a bit. This has caused me some serious issues. When the water level dropped it revealed alot of stumps and limbs in the water and I've been getting hung up on them quite a bit. Most of the time it latches on so well that I end up having to break the line. Other times I can just reel the limb in .

My question is how can I avoid snagging the limbs and when I do snag one; what's the best way to get off the limb and save my lure at the same time. The good news is I've been using plastic worms so I'm not loosing a really important part of my equipment but when you start loosing more than one or two a day and loosing as much lead and hooks as I've lost it adds up really quickly.

-Taylor

P.S.: I havn't been bass fishing long so most of this is new to me. (Caught well over my share of bream though .)

Well  I'm a little confused sicne the limbs were there before the water dropped as well. Why are they all of a sudden a problem? Are you hooking them or getting caught  on the cast. If you are rigging your worm using a texas rig it should come through most brush. Generally though if you're getting snagged it means you're in good bass habitat.  You might also try heavier line.

Well if you are using a worm u probably need to hook it texas style and make sure the hook isnt exposed! Take the hook and stick it through the head of the worm about a 1/4" and slide it up to the eye of the hook. Next twist the hook and stick it back in the worm enough for it to hold but not to expose the end. You can stick the hook end through the worm but that may be to much for you to learn right now. The next thing i say do is practice casting. You dont have to be fishing to pracice. I practice regularly even though i fish alot. I like to take a tin can or bucket and set it in the hard and just practice getting it in there over hand, side cast, and flipping.

8-)

Hello

I'm not sure if your saying the snags are now out of the water now that it's down.

If you are hanging up try to "POP" your line. Reel in most of the slack and reach up in front of your reel(about half way to the first eye) and pull some slack into your line(which loads the rod tip). Then turn it loose which causes a back snap of the line and will cause your bait to pop free.

If your hanging up below the water you can try the same thing after you have gotten hung up.

If you are hanging up on the retrieve the suggestions the others have given you should work.

You can also when you feel your bait pulling up on the snag, lower your rod tip and quickly pull your bait over the snag. Just as soon as you get the bait over let it fall back to the bottom.

A T-rgged worm ought to cure you problems.Are you setting the hook when you feel some of the limbs?