Re: What kind of hooks??
I use Gamakatsu G-Loks 3/0 - 5/0 and Mustad Mega-Lites in 4/0 for tubes. Before I ever set foot on the boat I check each hook for sharpness. I then put 10 hooks into a fleece lined little pouch so they don't get near anything else. I keep that little pouch in my vest pocket. It's a hook holder for fly fishing.<br />The hook set you are doing may be the culprit also. Try this next time. Sweep the rod back instead of lifting up on the rod like a jig set. Then as soon as you feel the fish, stop and hold the rod firmly about 3' off the surface and let the fish turn back. Then pull back in a sweeping motion and start reeling slowly. The closer the bass gets to you the closer your rod tip should be to the surface. This keeps them from jumping and head shaking. Remember, the bass has engulfed your bait and it can be sitting in any position in his mouth. So by doing this kind of sweeping motion around you instead of raring back over your head, you are going to put the hook in a better position for hanging into flesh, instead of the bony top of his mouth. Plus, by letting the fish turn and pull on the line, it drives the hook deeper. I have landed 1000's of fish this way and it works much better. Remember, it is a smooth sweeping motion, not a snap and reel motion.<br />I have landed 2 fish over 8# without having them raise a ruckus. I just slowly reeled the line in and the fish came with it. When they saw the boat, they started to fight, but I just lifted them up and out of the water onto the side of the boat and they immediatley stopped. I hope you try this technique and give us a report. Using a stiffer line can help some too, such as Stren Big Game. Very little stretch and it won't fray and cut on every little twig.<br />Good luck
So im going back to gamatsues,what do ya'll use
