Headshake

[Bigeye]

I'm bottombouncing in 30 feet of water,the line gets tight, I wait and then I set the hook. Big fish on! Slow the boat and start bringing him up. Then it happens , you feel the headshake and he's gone. Have had it happen twice this year.What am I doing wrong?

[ETT]

If your using fireline your putting too much pressure on the fish. If your using mono your not putting enough pressure on the fish. Sounds goofy but that is probably the way it is. Hope this helps. good luck.

[Matt]

While I don't argue at all with ETT's statements, I must say that sometimes the fishing gods are smiling and sometimes they're frowning. Tough break, twice doesn't make a pattern. Shake it off and stick some more.

[Jay]

If its a big girl and she's head shakin you can bet that your bottom bouncer is acting like a big pendulum. Try using less lead to get down or change your presentation, try to get down with deep diving crank/minnow baits. If this doesn't interest you, use snap weights and place them well in front of your rig, otherwise increase the snell length between your bait and the bottom bouncer. If all of the above fail, take up golf, just kidding!!! Best of luck..

[Mike]

What was on the business end of your setup?

[Eyez]

You hit that nail on the head Jay. I lost a few nice fish at the boat last summer because my 3/4 ounce barrel sinker would bounce on the swivel when she shook her head just as I tried to net her. The big weight would bounce down hard on the swivel, cause the line to go slack because I use a soft rod when rigging, and the fish would just swim away. I know it's an unusual situation, but it could happen in the water with a bouncer too I would think, especially if it's a big fish. Those first few seconds are when you're most likely to lose a fish because the hooks haven't had as much time to work their way into the mouth.

Eyez

[Gunga Din]

I think if you follow ETT's advice first, Jay's advice will matter a little less. First things first! Use the weight of bouncer that your fishing situation dictates, then adjust your technique to get biters into the boat.

I say that because a lot of the water I fish requires heavy bouncers, and frequently when I net the fish the hooks come out in the net. But doing what ETT suggests, I rarely lose a stuck fish.

[Fuzzy]

Are you using Trip-Grips?

[Bigeye]

Have been using a two hook harness with #2 hooks about 18 to 24 inches behind a 1/4 ounce bouncer. I always add weights too the bouncer as needed. In 30 foot I would add another 1 ounce. Have not tried treble hooks on my harnesses , maybe I'll put one on the rear and see.