Minimize Mistakes

If you saw the Bassmaster show from Santee Cooper you saw Greg Hackney loose a fish that might have cost him the Angler of the Year award. He was fishing braided line and the knot pulled through the gap in the eye of the hook. When he checked his line the knot was there but the hook was gone. The same thing happened to Aaron Martens on Toho a few years back. Procedures to minimize mistakes have to be part of a tournament angler’s game plan. All successful anglers have figured out ways to keep the mistakes to a minimum.

My question is what do you do to minimize mistakes?

When I fish braided line tied directly to a hook, I tie 2 knots. The first knot is cut off and is slid to the gap in the eye of the hook. That knot makes it impossible for the line tie to slip through the gap. It seems like common practice, but if a couple of the pro’s didn’t know about it, it’s worth bringing to the group.

This should be a subject we all can add too, fire away!!!!!!!!!

I would say if there was a gap in the eye of the hook where the line could slip through, I would consider that a junk hook and toss it. Especially during tournament hours.

You are right though, little things like that can make all the difference.

I would say my biggest thing is re-tying my line. Especially my jigging rod. Dragging that line over logs and sticks and all those bone jarring hooksets. Dragging fish over logs. None of that can really be good for any type of line. So I try to retie a couple times an outing. It only takes a second but alot of people still don’t do it. I know muskie fishermen how are know to retie their line ever hundred casts.

Kevin

I use a pair of pliers and try to squeeze that gap shut as best i can. I also try to double knot in that situation. Usually a polymer followed by a standard fisherman’s knot.

Have to agree w/Blue though. If you see your line getting caught up on it, dont’ wait til you lose the lure and/or fish, toss it and get another one…I mean you guys all have 4-5 of the same lure right?

I WOULD AGREE WITH NATURE BOY. CONSTANT MANTAINENCE OF YOUR LINE AND KNOTS IS A GREAT WAY TO PREVENT LOST FISH. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT SHARPENING YOUR HOOKS PRIOR TO AND DURING THE FISHING DAY. I THINK THE ONLY OTHER THING I WORK ON IS TO CONSTANTLY STAY FOCUSED. I CAN’T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I WILL GET A STRIKE AND NOT BE PREPARED TO SET THE HOOK. WITHOUT THE GOOD HOOKSET, YOUR SUNK. THIS IS AN AREA I NEED TO WORK ON.

GOOD TOPIC!!
TBASS

TBASS…i agree w/you….Fish always strike when you are least expecting them too

Tip of the day.
Make sure your lights, livewells, and batteries are fully charged and opperating properly by 6:00 pm the evening before. This way you can make a run for parts / fixes with enough time to get things ready to go.
1lb for a dead fish or the inability to hold your boat in current will cost you drastically.
jc

JEREMY, GOOD POINT. I KNOW THERE ARE NOT TO MANY FANS OF ICONELLEI, BUT ONE OF HIS SAYINGS IS ” TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL”. VERY SIMPLE LOGIC, BUT EFFECTIVE. WILL REDUCE OR ELIMINATE ALL SUPRISES COME TOURNAMNET TIME.

TBASS

man, i didnt see that, looks like hackney might need a new hook sponsorship- that is too bad

As for braid, and hooks, I have tried closing the gap,
and have even gone so far as to solder the gap shut.
But for the most part, I just use a small Berkley Cross-Lok
snap. They are tough, tiny, and are only constructed of
wire(no stamped metal clasps), so they are tough to see
even in clear water.

In general, I am with Jeremy, and others, that have said
check everything from boats, motors, batteries, props,
livewells, and electronics, to having all of the
anticipated techniques rigged, with terminal tackle
seperated, in special “Today’s Tackle” bags or boxes. I
still pack the usual stuff, in case the fish throw me a
change up, but what is in my plan starts out the day close
at hand, and well organized. And as Jeremy says, do this
early enough so that if a problem is found,
repair/replacement supplies can be purchased.

Since I have had at least one of those moments when
one big fish lost at the net, cost my a win, and big
bass, I will add don’t get lazy, or excited, when
you have a fish on. Also, when something bad happens
don’t whine, pout, or cry…Get back in the game,
the next cast could fix all your mistakes.

Big Bass Bane

dont use a handy colapse able net although there handy easliy stored they arent with spit

lost big fish of the tournoment at the boat it hit the side of the net and pushed it side ways and off she came a real net wouldnt have moved and we would have had her