How to Lose Fish

 Yes. It is easy to do.

Sometimes there is no good excuse. It is just in the heat of the moment forgetting one simple rule: If you lose a fish, always check the hook. It might be bent.

I caught a lot of 12 to 18" fish-- small schools on the move-- and then I had one that would have been better but not on for long. 

Turns out the reason I lost 4 more was this:

I guess that fish was bigger than I thought!

I had been catching near keepers (and lost one keeper) on white ones tied this way--but I ended up trimming off all but the lead 3/0 hook. As a friend says, "big bass never miss" which turned to be true--only larger ones were caught--and a few obviously smaller ones lost--I'd feel hits that didn't hook up.

This black one I debarbed the trailer--which is a #1.ALL the smaller bass took that trailer the past few sessions. Only 18"+ took the lead hook. That might be chance. Most but not all trolling. I did sight cast to 4 landings a few days previous.

Nice to be out fishing. But better luck next time--and check the fly!