I was fishing my local lake today and was playing cat and mouse with a cruising 5 lb bass and finally got it to bite-Set the Hook-Lost the fish 20secs later! I was using 30lb power pro with 17lb mono leader tied to a texas rigged YUM 4.25 inch Vibra King Tube in black with blue flakes....the hook I used was the Owner Wide Gap Plus 5/0. I set the hook and the fish was stubborn so its totally stood its ground and I tried to guide it a little to the left and next thing I know it popped off...Now I am thinking I should have ordered those Yamamoto jig heads with the owner hooks...Tacklewarehouse has them...(oh by the way...I love gettin my stuff there...I ordered my stuff on thursday and I got my hooks the next morning at 9am...)
So do a lot of you guys lose a good percentage of fish when fishing tubes texas style? or is it just me?

If you hooked the fish and it broke (popped) you off then I would say that chances are your rig was fine and it did it's job but your line may have had a weak spot or your knot may have failed. Not to say was the knot was tied incorrectly but you always have to check just in case. Better luck next time and we've all been there that's what keeps you coming back for more.


JerryG

what kind of line are you using?

What kind of rod are you using? 5/0 hook needs a sturdy rod. Then again, sometimes bass just get away :) I don't lose very many on 5/0 round bend or EWG but it happens from time to time.

Actually the line didnt break...the hook just tore off the bass' mouth...I got the hook and tube back all in one piece...but there was a little tear on the tube...but anyway...Yup...Jerry is right...it got me thinking the whole day and night...lol...almost couldnt sleep...haha...was trying to figure out what went wrong...

The only rod I have is the Ugly Stick...7ft Medium Action(8-20lb)...I was using power pro 30lb Moss Braided line...and I used a 3 foot mono(17lb) leader as a shock absorber so I was hoping I wont tear off the bass' mouth...When I set the hook...the bass was actually like 15ft away...so may be I pulled too hard...or I had my drag too loose...I was surprised as this fish that I was following along the bank for almost 50yards finally actually engulfed my tube at 1 and half feet of water...
by the way has anyone tried the Yamamoto football jig heads...like the ones they sell in Tacklewarehouse?...I was think of just using those instead of texas rig...hate losing fish...

I'd really love to have a flipping stick(I flip and pitch 95% of the time)...but no moolah right now...so far the ugly stick got my my PB of 8 lbs(on 14lb fireline)...but I have been eyeing this hawg in castaic lower lagoon...I think its close to 20lbs...looks like a dark green torpedo cruising at low speed...but she won't even give your a "first look."

Braided lines with flourocarbon leaders do not stretch (Especially 17lb leader!)hence you could have pulled the hook to a position that "Tore" or widened the hole in the mouth of the fish.

In your case, it sounds like you could have used a lighter leader with mono to "Shock-absorb" the impact of the hookset, or you run the risk of tearing the fishes'lip at the swing.

It was mentioned above that this could have been the case. I'd try a Mono leader in 10-12lb test(P-line flouroclear is a good choice) and will still give you enough strength to land the bigger fish.

Swim's right. Sometimes they just "POP" and there is nothing you can do.

Good luck next time.

"ROD"