This past sunday...I caught 5 LMB.

The GOOD: 5 LMB is pretty decent/good for a rookie LMB fishermen just starting out and in only his 3rd outing. The biggest ones out of the 5 were the first 2.

The BAD: The last two "shook free" right as I got them to break the surface of the water so I did not get to catch and set them free.

My tackle/scenario for the day:

1) 6.3 Daiwa Advantage, 6'9" mh fast action E21 carrot stix, 16 lb Sunline Mono, 3/8 oz Booyah will/colo spinnerbait in cottoncandy.

2) Fishing from the shore in a little cove in about 5 - 8 ft of slightly stained/muddy water. Sunny day, 70 degrees, light wind and light water turbulence.

3) I was using a (medium speed) sideways hookset (12 o'clock to 9 o'clock) from the hips with 2-3 cranks of the handle.

My questions:

1) Why didn't I get shaken off on the first 2 big ones?

2) What went different/wrong between the first 3 and the last 2?

3) Was I using the wrong hookset?

4) Could it be that my 3/8 oz spinnerbaits hook is too big for the last 2 LMB mouth, of which were only 1-2 lb?

5) Could it be that I am still a beginner and I did not know how to "play" the fish correctly and thats why it shook free?

6) What is the proper way to set the hook on a spinnerbait?

PLZ HELP!!!!! Thanks.

Chue

use a trailor hook

i would have to say you probably got some slake in the line as they were coming up and that how they shook off and sometimes it just happens and there's not really much you can do about it

i also think i was probably some slack in the line when they came up. everyone has lost a fish now and then

As with any single hook lure....I set the hook like I'm mad at 'em and give NO SLACK at all. I keep the rod low unless I have to maneuver the fish out or around something. If there's nothing in the way I keep it as low as possible.

you mentioned "when you got them to jump" while really fun to watch this can be a bad thing when the fish jumps that is usually when they get off. when a fish looks like it may jump put the tip of the rod as low as you can into the water even. this will help you keep more fish on it did wonders for me.

As with any single hook lure....I set the hook like I'm mad at 'em and give NO SLACK at all. I keep the rod low unless I have to maneuver the fish out or around something. If there's nothing in the way I keep it as low as possible.

As cool as it is to see one jump and carry on, the odds of them spitting the bait go way up when they do. Sounds like you had a great day. 8-)

Sweep the rod to your side

#5, you should leave them no slack, and when you feel they're about to jump pull your rod down so they aren't able too. you never want a fish to go airborne.

watch how good ole kevin sets the hook & plays the fish.

Use a good hard side sweep and that should do it, also keep your rod down so they dont come to the surface if possible.  A trailer hook is also a great idea.

I go straight up on the hook set to try to bury the hook and trailer hook in the roof of the mouth. I generally use braid and a medium heavy rod and 7 to 1 reel. I set, and burn so I do not create slack and can get the rod low and have more control over the fish.  So I go from 11/noon down to 4 or 5 o'clock. The two biggest reasons why I think people loose fish on spinnerbaits is because of either no trailer hook or they allow slack in the line. It seems like for some reason when a fish hits a spinnerbait it will run at you.

I think your hookset was likely ok, and it sounds like you tried to keep pressure on the fish - but I agree with others - we try to prevent the fish from jumping at all - that can frequently spell disaster - but again, what likely happened was a bit of slack line....on the issue of trailer hooks - it sounds as though your fish was hooked, it just got some slack and jumped which was the primary issue perhaps.  A trailer added may not elininate your problem - rather I think that a trailer will help hook up with bass that are short striking the spinner bait....I only put on a trailer when I get those short strikes - sounds like they were all over your bait that day

did they shake free at the boat when you were trying to land them or did they jump and shake it off during the fight?

keeping your rod low will help keep them from jumping during a fight. sometimes you cant stop them and you just lose the fish.

if they were lost at the boat you might want to make sure you didnt leave any slack when you took one hand off the rod to land the fish. keep your rod up and away with your other hand to keep any slack out. if using light line, make sure your drag is loose so you wont snap the line if the bass decides to make a power move.

did they shake free at the boat when you were trying to land them or did they jump and shake it off during the fight?

keeping your rod low will help keep them from jumping during a fight. sometimes you cant stop them and you just lose the fish.

if they were lost at the boat you might want to make sure you didnt leave any slack when you took one hand off the rod to land the fish. keep your rod up and away with your other hand to keep any slack out. if using light line, make sure your drag is loose so you wont snap the line if the bass decides to make a power move.

Thats a really good point for very newb's - when I started I lost a bunch of fish that way - either they jumped at the boat and got slack, or I had grabbed the line or had tight drag and they broke off at the boat! I lost what would have likely been my first 5 lber a year ago right at the boat on a shallow crank bait - I let up for that quick second to lip him, and off he went after shaking his head vigorously - its heartbreaking - keep the pressure on!

they might have only been slapping at the bait and got hooked. Were the ones you caught hooked deep? did they swallow the bait? Were they hooked on the outside or on the side. A change in color or blade size or blade type can make a difference in how well the fish will take the bait resulting in better hook ups. Other than that i think everybody else has covered everything else. Just try and learn from the first fish you catch of the day and try to make adjustments if needed. Im a big supporter in trailer hooks too. Especially when i get short hits. But spinnerbaits become less weedless when using them. Hope this helps