Live lining bunker for Bass

[Pietro]

Do you guys lock up your drags with circle hooks and leave rods in rod holders? Do you leave reels in freespool with clickers on....let em eat and then flip the button up to strike? Combo of both? Just want to see how everyone does it. Thanks!

[Jigman13]

Clicker on. At strike I point the rod tip down count to 5 then engage the reel, slowly lifting until i come tight. Smooth steady motion and no bass master classic hook setting crap lol.

[Ol Pedro]

I don't deadstick. Feel the pickup. I like the fish to move off without feeling pressure. I have had bass drop the bait when they felt something. A good five count with the fish moving away, point the rod horizontal at the fish, lock up the reel, and slowly lift the rod when it comes tight. I do the same for tuna.

[Pietro]

Originally Posted by Ol Pedro

I don't deadstick. Feel the pickup. I like the fish to move off without feeling pressure. I have had bass drop the bait when they felt something. A good five count with the fish moving away, point the rod horizontal at the fish, lock up the reel, and slowly lift the rod when it comes tight. I do the same for tuna.

I agree. I do the same for chunkin/peanut bunker for tuna as well/ I was just curious because I have seen some very good bass fisherman fishing live bunker with a deadsticked locked up drag WITH a circle hook. I would think you would lose a lot of fish that way.

[Gerry Zagorski]

I've lost my fair share of Stripers on Live Bunker and it seems to me it started happening more frequently when I switched over to braid. I do have a tendency to want to set the hook and I think between that and braid having no stretch is where my issues lie...

Great advise above, let the fish run for at least a 5 count, don't try and set the hook when you come tight... Engauge the reel and let the drag and your rod tip set the circle hook.

If all else fails try switching over to mono...