One topic that rarely gets addressed is if you are really prepared when you catch a big fish. There are many different scenarios that can play out while fighting, landing, releasing a big largemouth. Here are a list of items that I carry with me in the boat so I am fully prepared to release a big bass unharmed.

Headlamp – Some lakes allow you to get on the water before the sun has come up. Having this can help you in many ways from tying a good knot all the way through the release process (extra batteries are also a good thing to have with you)

A quality scale to weight the fish. I don’t know how many times I have heard of a big bass dying because someone wanted to weigh the fish.

Camera – You want a picture right?… once again, dragging a fish around to get a picture (specifically from shore) will put added stress on the fish. Also knowing how to use it is very important. I don’t always fish with someone else so I know how far to position the camera away from me to get a good shot everytime. I also carry a backup camera.

Needlenose pliars – Rob can attest to this… there is no shortage in my boat. I’ve done my fair share of depositing them in various lakes around Southern California. You cn never have enough needlenose.

Hook cutters – They are also called bolt cutters. These are available from Ace Hardware for $20. I haven’t had to use them much for cutting hooks when a fish is deep hooked but I have had to do it. If guys are rigging tail traps on swimbaits this is a must. Leaving a small portion of the hook in the fish is better that the entire hook or for that matter trying to get the hook out and tearing the fish open.

Deep release device – Some of us fish swimbaits very deep and occasionally get a fish that comes out of deep water bloated and unable to swim back down. I am strongly opposed to needling fish as most people have no clue how to do it correctly. What I do is a technique that Rod Thigpen showed me. I take a regular maker buoy and replace the stock lead on the end with an 8 ounce torpedo sinker used for Sand Bass fishing. If you catch a fish that ends up floating… get your boat over deep water and then get the bass out of the livewell. While holding the fish in a vertical position… slowly drop the weight into the fishes gullet, down into the stomach. Lay the bass in the water and start to pull line off of the buoy. You can watch the fish on the graph as the weight helps the fish go down into 30 – 40 feet of water. Let the fish swim around for 5 minutes or so to let the pressure equalize in the air bladder. Once you feel the fish has been down there long enough… slowly pop the line upwards to get it out of the fishes mouth. Wait in the area for a few minutes to see if she pops back up… if it does… repeat the process (I have only had one pop back up ever).

Deep hooked / gill hooked bass – If the fish is bleeding… I use some sort of release product in the livewell and leave the fish in there for longer than normal. I don’t know the science behind it but the stuff I use seems to help fish when they are bleeding or stressed out.

What are some other things you carry with you to ensure your catch goes back in good shape or you use to prevent the fish from getting too stressed?

I wear gloves sometimes, those blue fever gloves with the fingers cut off. If it's cold out and you are handling angry bass, it helps to wear gloves to keep a good grip on them so they don't get out of your hand and go flopping around the boat.

I also like to wear the gloves at tournaments when getting the bass out of the livewell. Yea I'm a wuss, but I don't enjoy getting my hand ripped up. I see a lot of bass dropped at tournament weigh ins as guys try to get them in bags. Usually they don't get away but sometimes they do - seen it happen. It's insurance to wear the gloves when a lot of money is on the line.

Without gloves, on a good day you WILL bleed. LOL!!

Don.

I love a good bleeding. A solid bleeding thumb is the most rewarding accomplishment in fishing to me. Period. The days that I was able to make my thumb bleed are few and far between. But those are the days that I smile about and the entire reason I fish.

I prefer the bloody PALM!}(

Rob, what Promar net model do you use? I've been looking for such a long time for a good net, and still can't decide on a handle length and net size. I fish alone 75% of the time, for black bass only, and have caught fish up to 14 pounds. What do ya got for me? :)
Thanks in advance!
Dustin

I think it might be this model number: LN-501B Coated Halibut/Salmon landing net

Mag, thank you for the fast reply, Do we know if the handle on this can retract into the net? I fish from a VERY small boat and this is a must. Thank you!

http://www.americanmaple.com/relaunchpromar/grandehalibutsalmon.html

The net is HUGE. The handle does retract in to the net. The strategy when fishing by oneself is to get the net in the water and steer the fish over it, then lift. The net is so big you have a wide margin for error and can net the fish tail first or any direction you like.

When fishing with a partner, the game is to get the fish going toward the boat and don't let up. Even if the fish explodes out of the water at the side of the boat, your partner won't miss because he can just get the net under the fish and scoop. Typical fight on 10+ bass hooked on a swimbait fishing with this net should be 30 seconds or less. Catching a 15lber in 15 seconds is not abnormal.

With a small net, or no net, all bets are off. Many people laughed at me when the saw my net a few years ago. More people get it now, but I am still amazed how many guys go to big fish tournament venues with tiny nets. They must be more sporting than me :)

Well, I'm a big fan of the Promar net that Rob turned me onto. I think its a halibut net. Just a good way to insure you boat your fish, and aren't messing around trying to lip a giant at the side of your boat. I always have my big net with me.

Hook sharpeners...I have a couple of hook sharpeners I find myself using almost every trip to touch up hooks that get dull or the point gets bent due to smacking rocks or docks or wood or even in fishes mouthes. I change hooks often but also sharpen some hooks too.

Hand Towel: I try to always have a fresh and clean hand towel in my glove box. I use it to dry my hands after messing with a fish, and also comes in handy to clean your hands after applying sunscreen. I hate slippery hands when trying to grip a rod. As well, I clean my sunglasses often, its amazing how a quick cleaning can help you see clearer again...everytime you run the big motor, chances are your glasses get a mist or spray on them.

Thermos: I drink coffee at 3pm somedays...just like to be alert, awake and have a nice warm drink in the cold winter.

Hand warmers: those chemically activated hand warmers are a god send. I put them in my gloves on the really cold days, and they make a huge difference to get your fingertips warm, on the days when your fingers hurt. I think you can get two of them for a buck, so I stock up and use them a lot in the winter. I put them flat in the palm of my glove and they don't impair my fishing too badly.

Beanie/Boliclava(sp?): Having something warm for your face and head in the cold is key. Especially when running the big motor. Just makes you more comfortable to focus on catching the big one, vs. being cold and uncomfortable.

Belt: Don't let your pants or hard weather gear sag on you and cause you to trip on yourself or otherwise be a nuisance. Wear a belt.

Bluegrass: I highly recommend Bill Monroe while getting your boat and gear ready to launch in the cold winter mornings. Do a little buck dancing in the parking lot while your getting ready...gets the blood flowing. Wheel Horse, Roanoke and Kentucky Waltz should do it.

Maps: Have multiple maps of the same lake. Have google earth print outs. Have your maps and pen in arms reach. I love studying my maps, reviewing and comparing the different map makers of a same lake. You will find HUGE differences in map makers.

Clothes: bring some gear you want to take pictures in. Its no accident I have my tacklewarehouse.com gear in my boat...or Bassaholics gear in my boat. These companies support me and I do my best to get some air time for them. Good pictures with big fish are priceless. They are shared amongst us all and serve as good marketing media. You never know when you're gonna get that big fish or lake record or whatever, so its best to, as my man Rob once told me his baseball coach told him, "Look Good, in case you are Good!"
And its a must to have a change of clothes, towel, shorts, etc in your boat, in case the weather changes...OR....you fall in the lake. I've done it...3 times over the years. Once in 48 degree water. Have a change of clothes and towel to dry off. It could save your life.

Spare keys: spare truck keys and spare boat keys.....in your boat.



OK, maybe went a little overboard here, but preparation and committment is key to fishing, and HUGELY important to success in throwing the bigbaits.

MP

Great topic Mark!

I have to agree with Matt and Rob on the net choice. I used to lose big fish at the boat when fishing solo because I didn't have a net. The big Promar net is a neccessity when fishing for big bass solo. I land all of my fish now :)

Spare treble hooks and split ring pliers for your swimbaits. I have bent hooks on a bait that is getting bit. No sense fishing a bent or repaired hook again because it will just bend out. Losing a fish of a lifetime sucks and you bet I will not reuse a hook that will bend again.

Handle the fish carefully like Rob and SWMB8R have told you. Its important to get the good brood stock fish back in healthy condition.

Use two hands when holding the fish in a cradeling type hold. I have to admit I have not done it all of the time, but I learned my lesson. Their jaws could be damaged from holding them by just the lower jaw.