what do you do?

[soldoncass]

When you get a fish on a change of direction or "figure 8" on 2ft of line ,anybody have any suggestions to keep the fish on there? Anything you can do to improve your chances of landing it?
My son had that happen on a 2" lipless crankbait right by the boat and with 2ft of line out the frantic headshaking flury at boatside dislodged the hooks. Any tips you've done that helps?
Thanks

[This message has been edited by soldoncass (edited 06-06-2004).]

[cliffy]

Its a hard siuation to be in. I have had this happen to me a couple of times...so I cant say I am an expert by any means but...

I try to hit the spool release so I can play out some line if I need to. I also try to use longer rods to have enough flex to handle the fish up close.

My only other suggestion would be, "HOLD ON"!!!

[TG]

When your lure gets within 2 ft. of the rod tip, go to free spool and thumb the line during the figure 8.

[soldoncass]

Thanks for your tips. I thought the lure she hit on had too small size hooks to really get a good bite. He was using a spinning reel, so it's tougher to release line with tension on it. We are just trying to figure out "what to do next time", to improve chances.
We aren't sure if it was a pike or ski, but pike usually shy away from a boat in clear water like that. This one wasn't afraid of it at all.
Great memory anyway. Thanks again

[This message has been edited by soldoncass (edited 06-07-2004).]