03-08-2004, 10:18 PM
[blue][size 1]When I am casting bugs for bass, I seldom work more than thirty feet of line...casting. If I am stripping in a streamer or bug, and I get a take, I usually do not have to sweep the rod back, because I have rhe rod pointed at the fish, and I just pull back on the line with my stripping hand to start the hook set. I follow that with a couple of good stout hook sets against the rod. Bass have tough jaws and big hooks on bass bugs need some setting.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]After that, play the fish off the reel if it wants to run. Otherwise, most bass can be fought by stripping in line and using the rod to raise and lower if they make short dives. Most of the fight will be bulldogging and not long runs.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]You are probably right about cinching your knot up without moistening the leader. A quick jerk to tighten a knot that is dry will cause sudden friction and heat. Heat is an enemy of nylon leader and will partially melt or weaken it. Better to either dip it in the water next to your tube or use the all American fishing lubricant...spit.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]There have been several studies done about how not cinching knots carefully can decrease line strength. In some cases, a ten pound leader can be reduced to only one or two pound test if it is jerked tight on the knot...or if you did not tie the knot right in the first place.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Now we expect a success story about the next big bass you hook...and bring successfully to the tube.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]After that, play the fish off the reel if it wants to run. Otherwise, most bass can be fought by stripping in line and using the rod to raise and lower if they make short dives. Most of the fight will be bulldogging and not long runs.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]You are probably right about cinching your knot up without moistening the leader. A quick jerk to tighten a knot that is dry will cause sudden friction and heat. Heat is an enemy of nylon leader and will partially melt or weaken it. Better to either dip it in the water next to your tube or use the all American fishing lubricant...spit.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]There have been several studies done about how not cinching knots carefully can decrease line strength. In some cases, a ten pound leader can be reduced to only one or two pound test if it is jerked tight on the knot...or if you did not tie the knot right in the first place.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Now we expect a success story about the next big bass you hook...and bring successfully to the tube.[/size][/#0000ff]
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