"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in message ...
"Bob La Londe" wrote in message SNIP

One thing I can say is that almost everytime I got excited and set the hook
as soon as I saw the strike I missed the fish.

***That's very common and easy to do. Topwater bites can be very subtle or as explosive as someone
dropping a cow from a bridge!

Now for my question. I got into some smallmouth on a local canal that I
managed to hit the same time on three different days. On two of those days
I tied into a larger fish that got off. They both got off when diving away
from me in the current. I had tension on them, but because they had the
current helping them I was careful not to horse them. I basically felt like
the hook just pulled free. They didn't shake it out.

***If the hook pulled free, either it wasn't hooked securely, i.e. thin tissue/barely hooked or your
hookset wasn't what it could be.

Today I boated a 14 inch LM fishing the mouth of the Arizona Channel on the
Colorado River. (picture in ABPF) He was barely hooked by one barb of the
rear hook. If I had a long fight or if I had to drag him out of the current
I am sure that hook would have torn out. What can I do to minimize the loss
of lightly hooked fish like that?

***You don't say if you're using spinning tackle or baitcasting. Regardless of which method you
use, it sounds like you might have the drag set too tight, loosen it up some so that the fish can
strip drag if needed. If using spinning tackle, you can backreel, a method that offers superb
control IF you know how to do it properly. If using baitcasting tackle, you can also freespool the
fish, applying pressure with your thumb as the fish surges.


One of the smallies I lost was probably a much larger fish based on the
fight.

***If you're like me Bob, it probably was! ;-)
--
Steve
OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com



--
Bob La Londe
Yuma, Az
http://www.YumaBassMan.com
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Bob, you can also try replacing the hooks that come on the
bait. Many times the hooks on the bait are to small, not very good etc.
I like the 4 barb hooks (Strike King Saber Point Super Quad hook).
I use these on my spooks, etc.
-Justin
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