Dang It

[John Andrews]

Well there I was, sitting in my kayak fishing in my favorite spot on springfield lake. The action was very slow been there 3 hours and only landed 4 bass. Then the wind kicked up and I decided to call it a day. As the wind was pushing towards my jeep, I see a patch of weeds that looked like a good spot for a bass to be. I launch my new pad crasher next to the target and begin my retrive. WHAM!!!!!! the fight was on. He jumped and my jaw hit the kayak floor. He was the biggest bass I ever had on the hook. After a long fight I reach down to pull the monster into the kayak. I thumb hook his lower jaw and he thrashes, setting the hook in my finger. he managed to do this at the same moment he unhooked himself and swam away. I am sure he would have been 6 pounds! I sat there in shock staring at the hook burried into my finger. After what seemed to be hours I managed to get the hook out ( burried that number 2 hook clear to the bend of the hook ) Oh well I'kk be back again in search of the bass I have named Dr. Evil

[mic]

Good hunting then. Let the battles begin.

[fishinwrench]

Here's a tip on landing big bass, you can take it for what it's worth, but....

Bass over 4# never do anything "suddenly", if you pay attention to their body you'll notice that they tense up for a second or three before giving a thrash or a boatside jump.

So slide him/her in, keep a steady tight line, watch their body and wait for them to relax (you can actually see the fins and muscles go limp....Then grab that lip and hoist him up in one smooth continous motion.

If you grab while the fish is still tensed up they'll try to shake your arm off everytime.

[John Andrews]

I NEVER NOTICED THAT!!!!! I will keep that in mind thanks

Here's a tip on landing big bass, you can take it for what it's worth, but....

Bass over 4# never do anything "suddenly", if you pay attention to their body you'll notice that they tense up for a second or three before giving a thrash or a boatside jump.
So slide him/her in, keep a steady tight line, watch their body and wait for them to relax (you can actually see the fins and muscles go limp....Then grab that lip and hoist him up in one smooth continous motion.

If you grab while the fish is still tensed up they'll try to shake your arm off everytime.

[jdmidwest]

I have found that a Lippa Grip or some kind of fish gripping device is quite valuable in a yak. I keep one handy in mine and have avoided the spare trebles that always seem to be swinging around when I land a fish.

My buddy laughed at me when I asked him to pick one up for me that was on sale at Bass Pro. The next trip out, the temps were in the 40's and my hands were dry and warm when landing fish. He bought one too.

[Al Agnew]

Great tip, Fishinwrench! I have noticed that, but sometimes I'm too impatient to wait for the fish to relax.

[UnCivE]

I have found that a Lippa Grip or some kind of fish gripping device is quite valuable in a yak. I keep one handy in mine and have avoided the spare trebles that always seem to be swinging around when I land a fish.

My buddy laughed at me when I asked him to pick one up for me that was on sale at Bass Pro. The next trip out, the temps were in the 40's and my hands were dry and warm when landing fish. He bought one too.

Yeah, I never use one out of a yak, but when the potential exists to drop a fish with a mouthful of treble hooks into my lap, I tend to err on the side of caution.

[Jack Jones]

Might have to look into one of those. Of course, I'd have to actually catch a fish first to use it.

[jdmidwest]

They are money well spent. I fish 3 Hook Rapalas alot, and they tend to get one stuck further back. Holding them at arms length and removing hooks with pliers gives you a great advantage. And it is easier on the fish as well. Anything to lessen the time you spend unhooking them greatly improves their survival.

[John Andrews]

heading to bass pro today. the "lap full of treble hooks" comment made it all come to light. YEOW