Last weekend I was fishing with a brand new Berkley square bill and had at least 7 bass come off about half way in after hook set. The hooks are all sharp and I was not doing anything different than I have with other cranks or sb's...

Question is has anyone experienced this or was it just a crazy day. That being said I had lost one the same way the following day...

jumping and throwing the bait?

What are you using for a rod? I was losing a lot of fish before I started using either a Powell 705 CB Mod-fast or a Dobyns 704 CB. That made a major difference for me.

I also noticed a change for the better when i switched to a rod with a more forgiving tip. I was throwing sq bills on a tour kvd 6'6" MH. I love the rod bc its short, can make accurate casts and was versitile enough to throw a lot of different baits. But after noticing a higher number of fish throwing cranks, I decided to try some things. I first switched to a 7ft M KVD Tour Crankbait rod. I believe its composite, lots of parabolic bend. Worked well, fish loss went down, but casting accuracy suffered. I picked up a Lew Custom Speed Stick - Small Crankbait/SqBill rod at bass pro this summer. I bought it bc it seemed to be the best of both worlds. 6'8 - short enough for accurate casting, graphite but more forgiving action. Casts great, accurate, and minimizes fish loss. I really think the backbone in the rod hurts crankbait fishing. its great for ripping a trap or red eye shad. Everything else needs forgiveness.

They would barely break the surface of the water when they came off, there were a few that came out and threw it but the majority felt like they just "let go".

I was using a 7'2" MH 13 fishing omen black. I'll change the rod and see if that helps.

It is just strange to me because I have never had that happen before. I mean a couple here and there but it got out of hand last weekend.

keep your rod tip down, don't pump and reel, reel with a steady retrieve.

try a medium action rod, and try not to set the hook, just a small sweeping action should be all you need

Sharp hooks and a good med action glass or composite rod helps keep them trapped on the bait. Keep the rod low and deep into the bend. Watch KVD work with a square bill. The rod stays waist high or below most of the time.

Its your rod. Color might of been off as well that will affect how good the fish gets hook allot of the time.

Definitely your rod. What line are you using also?? As someone above stated, don't set the hook, rather use a long sweeping motion.

I was coming on here to post this today also. Last 2 trips out I have lost 50% of the fish I hooked on a squarebill somewhere in the retrieve, not jumping, just came off. I'm using a 7' med action that is probably light at that. Seemed a little ridiculous. From what I can tell I'll just keep the rod low(er) and try that.

One thing I've done....is....take a pair of needlenosed pliers....and slightly "twist" each of the hooks...just above the bend....similar to the old Excalibur hooks....this has helped, tremendously.....

Try changing to a more parabolic rod like a CB rod, also may want to change hooks. Set the hook with a low sweep and steady crank.

Some days are just like that. No particular reason. Hang in there.