Was telling Denea in a PM that I lost what most definately would have been my PB last night.

Positives: Finally got on a good jig bite for the first time in my life. Eakins Jig with a Zoom Super Chunk trailer with a dab of megastrike.

Hooked into my best LM ever. Had the proper equipment with my Shimano Compre MH XF and Citica 100dsv. Fished 30 lb braid because this place is nothing but stumps, brush piles, and downed trees.

Negatives: Friggin fish wrapped me around some brush/stick/stump type matter. Now I knew I wouldn't break him off so I tried my best to use my rod to unravel him but it was a mess. Also was about 10 feet off shore from where I was fishing on land. Eventually I must have gave her some leverage cause she was halfway out of the water on the stump and she threw it and it came flying back at me. Almost like a teether ball coming off the post. ticked me off.

I didn't have a chance to turn her either because I pitched it right to this stump and must have hit her right on the head. As soon as I set the hook she only had a couple inches to dive into this stuff and that is what she did.

Is there a technique that you guys use when this happens and you CAN'T get to the fish? This sucker was easily in the 5lb range and more than likely 6+ compared to some other fish I have weighed this year. Have had the worst luck with the big uns this week. :'(

Probably the advice that will be given is that I'm screwed huh. ;D

Can't catch them all but to answer your question, I try to keep my line tight and move to the fish. I know you can't when you are on the bank, its hard. Sometimes I will give a fish some slack and try to let the fish swim out of the brush but you are taking a big risk of losing the fish.

I hold steady pressure on the fish and will move toward him. If I can reach him I will, otherwise it is the luck of the draw if he will unwrap.

I jig and t-rig conservation brush piles which are 20 or more feet deep.  I have lots of fish wrap around stuff.  All I do is keep a tight line.  Most of the time the fish will unwrap itself and move out of the brush.

I jig and t-rig conservation brush piles which are 20 or more feet deep. I have lots of fish wrap around stuff. All I do is keep a tight line. Most of the time the fish will unwrap itself and move out of the brush.

Thanks.

I was trying to be patient but she was just sitting there head shaking....next time I will keep that line as tight as possible and wait. So hard when I could see her massive mouth facing me and my knees were shaking.  ;D  Had to tip my hat to her.

Like Axl (Guns and Roses) said "just a little patience" . Most of the time, easier said than done! I fish mostly from the bank and keeping steady pressure is about all you can do. Have had them unwrap themselves by giving a little 8-). Have also had them throw the hook by giving a little . Think this called "Being between the Devil and the deep blue sea." ...

                                     As Ever,

                                      skillet

on land i would do just the opposite. if you keep a tight line the fish cant unwrap and will come unhooked.your only hope is to give her slack line and hope she works her way free.more times than not they will.some you'll win and some you'll lose

If you are wrapped up good and can't advance the fish, be sure not to let her sit there and saw one spot in your line too long or it will cut/break...  sometimes you have to give a little line back to avoid being sawed in two.  Still keeping tight line, but giving a little back keeps fresh line on the stump, log or rock.

Often times it's just luck of the draw... depends on how wrapped it gets.

In real thick stuff ill put presure on the fish for a few second after im wrapped.  If I can tell im not getting any where ill give the fish total slack.  Then give it about 15-30 seconds.  Alot of time that fish will swim right back out of the cover, if it doesnt find away to get the hook out.  

patience is a virtue but it is also a learned behavior as well.

Big O