FS Digest

Everything feels like a bite to me so I need help not getting snagged, lost 3 jigheads and a Texas rig because of snags and really don't wanna lose more lures or my pike spoon

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by d-s-l

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

d-s-l: Well, there is not fool proof way to keep from ever getting hung. You can reduce the risk by not allowing your jig go all the way to the bottom, or into the rocks. Just Sayin...RJS

metaiv

How not to get snagged?
Sure.
Just don't go fishing.

GLA Loc: WA State

Consider using different baits. If you're getting hung on the bottom, try a crankbait or other lure that doesn't dive deep. Also learn how to rig plastic worms "weedless" and find jigs that fish with the hook "up". There are also "weedless" hook designs. Use lighter weighted lures or sinkers. None of these are foolproof, but might give you more time fishing and less time losing and changing rigs.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

Go online research weedless and/or snag free presentations for bass fishing. It doesn’t matter if you’re actually fishing for bass specifically, the point is you’ll see how to rig and present certain baits in a way that is less likely to get hung up. Bass and other fish like to hang around structure such as weed beds , submerged trees, rock piles, etc. They can ambush small bait fish from those areas and they spend most of their time there. Some lures are more prone to snags than others. It helps to know them and also the type of things you’re getting hung in. For instance there are lures that bump off and over rocks and logs. If you know how deep the top of the weed bed is then you can choose a lure that won’t run deep enough to get caught in it. Some baits such as plastic worms can be rigged weedless and will slither right through grass and weeds where the big fish are lurking soft plastic swim baits or paddle tails can be rigged weedless also and can be fish slow or fast , high in the water column or bumping the bottom. Soft plastics are also cheaper and at least it won’t cost you as much to lose a few. Another thing to think about is if you’re going to fish stickier areas use heavier line . Braid can be way heavier in pound test but thinner in diameter and slicker so you can muscle your lures, and fish, out of heavy cover. There’s much to learn but there’s more sources to learn from. Check out all of the YouTube stuff some are more explanatory than others but you can learn many things that way. Your job is to search out the answers to these questions : what are the fish eating, where is that forage found what time are they feeding. What lures imitate that forage. What is the structure where is the structure. What lure can I use around that structure. Every situation is a puzzle find the pieces and put them all together. You need to put your time in to learn these things and you’ll never be done learning but you’ll catch your share along the way.Good luck be of stout heart.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Some very good suggestions! And a little more experience and you will begin to get the method down where you lose less and less, but probably never get completely free of loss. Just Sayin...RJS

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

In general, there are probably 2 main ways that a lure/hook/rigging get's snagged. One is between rocks, and the other is on submerged timbers and weed growth.

Using "weedless" tackle as mentioned is very wise. That is typically a type of guard placed ahead of the hook and integrated into the lure design, but you can also add after market contraptions too.

Depending on the bottom structure you may encounter, there are "bottom" walker styled weights that can be fished via a 3 way swivel, with your lure riding up higher. You may also consider changing treble hooks on a lure body to single hooks. You may be surprised how well a single hook works.

From time to time I even get caught in "old tackle" from somebody else's original snag. Not much you can do about that except for having a stronger line that what you ended up catching! Best regards!

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

The only way I can think of is take all the hooks off even then it ain't positive just sayin😁👍

Gary Northrop Loc: Richland WA

Two suggestions: use a slip bobber to keep your bait above the bottom; jigs and
plastic baits work well this way; use a drop shot rig with a light line between your
bait and the dropper weight, keeping your bait/lure out of the snag area.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

A friend of mine once snagged a rod and reel. The reel was a penn slammer . They fished with it for the rest of the day and caught fish on it.

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

If it hasn’t been said here it has on other posts. If your not getting snagged your not fishing in the right spot.

Fish hang out in structure.

Salesrep Loc: Maryland

All part of the sport.
If we didn’t loose lures hooks and sinkers, the tackle companies would be out of business.
Salesrep

ronengland

Buy or make a lure retriever........slides down your line and grabs the lure so you can pull it free rather than breaking your line.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Yeah... "Ya win a few; ya lose a few."