10-19-2010, 12:14 AM
Some of that depends on your rod, your resistance, your patience. I landed one on 8lb test - mono, skinny lil 'ol Sears pole, $10 Kmart rod. But he got like 4 good runs, and I nursed it.
If they head thrash, or you try to muscle them - you're toast. I've tried some heavier steel leader - silver, longer. But I really don't like what it does to the action of some lures. Top water popper got all kinds of messed up. No pop!
Crank baits, and other divers - different story. They do get attracted to vibration - so lots of the bass spinner rigs might call them in. I just picked up a lighter more braided style steel leader -shorter too. Lots of folks go with heavy braided line - both for bass, and whatever. Helps if you're draggin over logs and bottom structure. Plastic swimbaits can set off the kind of vibration to draw them in too.
I think they are pretty in tune to finding the 'wounded wing' - that flashy fish that just ain't swimming right. Have had whole schools of you bass chasing after a bassling or perch on the reel. Even a stringer of catch isn't safe from the beasts. If you wade - don't hang your catch from your waist! That 'walk the dog' approach - the just can't resist! (or so we hope!)
If they head thrash, or you try to muscle them - you're toast. I've tried some heavier steel leader - silver, longer. But I really don't like what it does to the action of some lures. Top water popper got all kinds of messed up. No pop!
Crank baits, and other divers - different story. They do get attracted to vibration - so lots of the bass spinner rigs might call them in. I just picked up a lighter more braided style steel leader -shorter too. Lots of folks go with heavy braided line - both for bass, and whatever. Helps if you're draggin over logs and bottom structure. Plastic swimbaits can set off the kind of vibration to draw them in too.
I think they are pretty in tune to finding the 'wounded wing' - that flashy fish that just ain't swimming right. Have had whole schools of you bass chasing after a bassling or perch on the reel. Even a stringer of catch isn't safe from the beasts. If you wade - don't hang your catch from your waist! That 'walk the dog' approach - the just can't resist! (or so we hope!)