How to land fish

I recommend keeping your rod high and reeling in a fish as fast as possible. You should try to keep your rod bent all the time. That way if the fish jumps, you have a bent rod to keep the line from getting slack. When you get slack in your line is when the fish will get off. By keeping your rod high and bent when you get the fish to the boat, you are not as likely to reel the fish to the end of the rod (which you should never do). Once the fish is close to the boat, stop reeling and simply grab the fish by the mouth and bring it in the boat. If the fish is only a pound or so, you can swing the fish into the boat with your rod. Always make sure your drag is set so it won't break your line.
Some good fishermen try to keep the fish from jumping by putting the rod tip down under the water. That may help keep the fish from jumping as much, but if the fish does jump, it is much more likely to get off since you don't have anywhere to go with your rod.

 

 

Thomas Maxwell and his son Kyle showing off another big bass caught while fishing with guide Richie White on 10/10/05.
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Bass Fishing Tips - How to land fish