Went out to a neighborhood pond today, caught a 4 pound channel cat, 4 bluegill, 3 crappie (8",12",14") all fish released. But I was throwing a blue and black striped rat-l-trap and had two estimated 4 or 5 pound bass on but they all threw the hook is there some technique to hooking bass? Also got lots of other hits but nothing else.
Thanks!

Change out hooks to a better brand, owner, gammys, etc> Use a sideways sweeping hook set as opposed to the hard jerk upward like you might use for jigs or worms. Also sometimes if a bass hits and does not get hooked try going to the same bait one size smaller.

Thanks! And when they bit i just slightly lifted my rod and reeled

Set the hook hard on the bigmouths and don't let 'em have any slack!

I used to lose a lot of fish on traps. Now I use a rod with a soft tip and a little more give to it when I fish traps. I hardly ever lose them now. Only thing is if you are fishing it in grass, you're gonna need a stiffer rod to rip it out of the grass. And the sweeping hookset mentioned above is the ticket

No slack is right. Hardly ever lose a black except when they come out of the water. Jerk your rod tip hard and away.

The pond has a bit of grass, it's the size of an average retention pond. The bass are everywhere, just can't hook em. I use a berkley cherrywood rod? I don't know if it's that good or not it just saved me money lol.

Also, what other kind of lures will work good in a small pond like this?

Any kind of spinner bait, senkos, jigs, the possibilities are endless. Let the fish tell you what they want.

You have to put a cup with a string on it into the water and listen on the other cup.

hahahahha kat-man-do. I'm probably going to try using chicken liver for some big cats (I know there are some monsters, broke some line), throw some minnows for bass/crappie, and throw some more crankbaits.

Rat-L-Traps and similar baits are easy for bass to throw. They have some weight to them and it is easy for them to use the momentum of the bait to free themselves. I like to use, as mentioned, a sweeping hookset. Not near as powerful and abrupt as with a single worm hook. The key is constant, steady tension. Don't pump and reel or play them too much. A nice steady even retrieve is best. Their mouths are soft and too much muscle-ing while create a larger hole and the small treble hooks will pull free or be thrown free fairly easily.

Thanks! Will do! And has anybody used yum money minnows for smaller ponds? Have some but never used em? THanks!

the yum money minnows suck go to pitbullbaits.com and buy thiers will last u alot longer

Rooster tail, Panther Martin, or any inline spinner. Dark colors w gold blades on dark days(overcast or clouds) and bright colors w silver blades on brighter days. Cast and do not let the lure sink to far if there is a lot of stuff to get hung up on. Steady retrieve or pause and reel.