Tank Smallie
 

Ducked out a little early Friday and NJ Squatch and I jumped in the Tin Can and tried to catch some smallmouth bass. We didn't have much time and the fish wouldn't cooperate, but I managed one tank on a silver surfer jigging fly :) you know what they say...if you're only going to catch one...

Re: Tank Smallie
 

Yep that's a big beautiful BRONZEBACK! Great colors on her too!:D

Re: Tank Smallie
 

Tank indeed. Hell of a fight it out up?

Re: Tank Smallie
 

excellent smallie

Re: Tank Smallie
 

it bull dogged but didn't jump once. I hooked a bigger one the other week that jumped over and over again as soon as it was hooked and it spit the hook.

Re: Tank Smallie
 

thats a nice smallie...would love to see what is in his gullet! nice work

Re: Tank Smallie
 

I've had biggies not jump at all before. I never understand what goes on when they jump, like the science behind throwing the hook. I have noticed the less drag I have the less they jump. Ive had one jump then throw the hook 5 sec later under water. I think they jump when they are forced to the surface hence why a low drag will keep them swimming on the bottom. All speculation.

Re: Tank Smallie
 

nice camera work:p

Re: Tank Smallie
 

Yep, that's a piggie. Tape her?

Re: Tank Smallie
 

Beast!

Re: Tank Smallie
 

yeah almost 20",

Yhmyorke, when they jump it's harder to keep tension on the line and it's easier for them to shake slack into the line and loosen the hook. you're def right about the pressure making them come to the surface a lot of the time. it's tough. you can usually prevent big jumps if they're close enough to you by directing the rod tip down and to the side pulling them sideways as they approach the surface. When you hook them way out on a long cast and they start jumping immediately, it's mostly in the fishing gods hands haha. these jigging flies are around 150-200ft out the back to maintain depth so it's up to chance.

Re: Tank Smallie
 

Thanks man. I do that low and to the side trick when they're close. I've always lost smallies when they're too far to control that way.