Landing a Bass

Landing a bass is getting the bass in the boat after the hook set. Some anglers that don’t want to land the bass call it “shaking it off”.

Why is Landing a Bass Important?

Landing a Bass is important to:

  • Maximize Catch Rate: Avoid losing the bass after the hook set.
  • Catch Large Bass: Larger bass have a higher loss rate as they can present additional challenges.
Landing a Bass Options

Considerations that impact landing a bass:

  • Rod Tip Bent: Keeping pressure on the hook by ensuring the rod is always bent thus not allowing slack line where the bass can shake its head and dislodge the hook.
  • Rod Tip Position:
    • Rod Tip Low or in the Water: Put the tip of the rod in the water if the bass is about to jump to help keep the bass in the water and avoid the bass from jumping and shaking its head and dislodging the hook “throwing the hook”. Some suggest that the bass can shake its head more vigorously in the air and some suggest the weight and movement of the lure assist in the lure being dislodged.
      • Bass Jumped: If the bass is in the air some suggest not putting negative pressure (downward pressure) as it could help the lure dislodge. Some suggest the rod tip high as that will allow the rod to have maximum bend by quickly removing slack and with steady pressure, not hard, to help ensure the lure stays hooked.
    • Rod Tip High: Putting the rod tip position high to keep bass on the surface and out of thick cover. Also, make it easier to keep a rod bent so there is always line pressure as slack lines.
  • Fish On Retrieve Speed Options:
    • Fast: When the fishing rod and fishing line test supports such a technique, some suggest reeling quickly to get the bass to the boat as fast as possible. This technique is common in heavy grass cover and when catching up to the fish that is traveling towards the boat. 
    • Tire Out Fish: Choose to take extra time bringing the bass to the boat to tire out the bass to help avoid the bass thrashing at the boat and flipping out the hook.
  • Reel Drag Management: Change the drag when reeling in the fish to make sure there isn’t too much drag especially for large fish, for example, when using the Drop and Set Firm Hook Set as the drag will be high to ensure a good hook set. Too much drag can result in the larger hole in the bass’ mouth, especially larger bass when they shake their head. The larger the hole the more likely the hook will be displaced.
  • Net, Hand Bomb, Boat Flipping: Choose to flip the bass into the boat versus using a net by first understanding the gear to support the flip. Using the net can take more time but helps eliminate losing fish due to broken line. Hand bombing the bass into the boat is also an option for larger bass to avoid using a net.
Additional Considerations
  • Good Hook Set: Barb set securely on the lip without creating a hole that would allow for the hook to be less easily dislodged.
  • Don’t Introduce Slack Line: Keeping the rod bent help ensures no slack in the line
  • Gear: Some suggest that if an angler is losing fish after the hook set it is likely they have the wrong rod or line:
    • Rod Action: Using a more moderate action rod for lures with treble hooks.
    • Line Selection: Using fishing line with stretch either fluorocarbon instead of braid.
  • Check Line after Catch: Check line after every catch, especially when fishing cover, or catch a fish (example pike) with sharp teeth, to see if the line is frayed such that you don’t lose a fish from a broken line.
  • Change Leader: Change leader frequently as knots become weak with ware from casting and a large bass that will put the necessary pressure to break the knot.
  • Rod Angle to Fish – Switch Sides: Choose the rod tip position such that maximum angle and if the fish goes in a different direction flip the rod to the other side. 
  • Wider Hook Gap: When using soft plastics and not able to keep the fish on some suggest using a wider gap hook to help ensure a better hook set as the plastic itself might be impacting the hook set.
  • Braid Knot– Leave a Small Tag: Some believe when tying braid to a lure that when cutting the tag off leave some length to it to accommodate a small amount of slippage.
  • Line Through Lures: Line through lures are lures that have tubes that allow the line to go through the lure prior to tying on the treble hook. During the hook set the hook disengages with the lure ensuring the lure does not impact landing the bass.
  • Let Rod do the Work: For heavier bass use an action common in salt water fishing which is to pull up on the rod, then reel in quickly while dropping the rod (keeping line taunt) and repeat. This ensures the line does not get jammed onto the reel.
  • Trailer Hooks: Adding trailer hooks, also called stinger hook for soft swimbaits, some suggest results in a better hook set.
  • Soft Plastics with Hook Channel: Choose soft plastics that have a channel to accept the hook during the hook set to help ensure the plastic does not interfere with the hook set. Some suggest that if the soft plastic doesn’t have a channel, use a knife and cut one.
It's About the Allure

Generally, landing the bass considerations apply to all lures.

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