When I started fishing swimbaits I was using 15# line with a drag set appropriately for that size line. Went I started swimbait fishing with Mark (SWMB8ER) he changed my style. We were dead sticking surfacing baits and Mark set the hook, I got the net then went to get into position, and before I realized it Mark had the fish at the boat. I was just dipping the net when I saw the fish at the boat then it was gone. I wasn’t slow with the net Mark was just too fast. Mark looked at me and he did not say a word but he did not have to, I knew what he was thinking. Luckily the fish was not that big, about an eight. Mark caught three more and now the net was waiting for the fish.

What I learned that day was how to play a swimbait fish. Heavy line and keep them coming towards you using a tight drag. From that day on my drag has been nailed. Most of the time I fish by myself and it became second nature to have my net positioned for fast reach to capture a fish that is not ready for the net.

After I gained experience I realized that when a fish changes directions with a large bait in her mouth you stand a 50% chance of loosing that fish hence the reason for keeping her coming your way. Another thing I realized the bass could not close her mouth (most of the time) with a large bait attached. Having her mouth open created two side effects. First, the bass could not get into it’s normal streamed lined shape therefore the bass was at a disadvantage for maneuverability. Second, with the mouth open there is more resistance, like pulling in a small bucket.

I will mention using this tight drag method in the summer is a little different. Using a slammer or other surface bait, the bass can usually close its mouth and become a torpedo and in 80 degree water the fish is hot and I don’t mean temperature wise. I have had times in the summer when I lost control of the fish and had to hit the drag counter clockwise very fast. When that hot fish changes direction don’t try to gain the advantage. It becomes too easy to rip the hooks out of her mouth loosen the drag and let her go.

Bringing up the point of bending hooks is valid. I have bent hooks but not to the point where I lost fish. I did break a treble hook but it wasn’t because of the drag being tight. I have a picture below of a ring after a 20# class catfish fell in love with a Huddleston and a tight drag (I did not loose the fish). Also another picture of a snap falling victim to a tight drag. I don’t recommend using a snap but that day I was changing baits frequently.

All of the above is written with the use of mono or fluro in mind. Braid changed the equation.

Henry


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7816-ring.jpg


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7817-snap.JPG