Sounds to me, you aren't getting good penetration (That's what she said). The fish is either holding onto the jig and letting go just as they get to the top, or the hook is barely embedded.

That gave me a good laugh!

(Sounds to me, you aren't getting good penetration (That's what she said).)
+1

if u don't break ur rod when u set the hook u aren't doing it hard enough maybe that's why academy hates me!!!!!

get a faster reel... Or get a slower reel. Not an expert.

Try to rip its lip off when you set the hook. And when you see him going to jump, stick that 7'6 rod of yours in the water and show the thing who's boss.

join the club hahaha

most of the time when im jig fishing, that bass doesnt get a chance to do much. when you set the hook, cross his eyes and burn em into the boat and swing him in. On my jig rods they all have a 7.1:1 ratio. but you win some and you lose some, just hope you dont lose the fish of a lifetime!

solid hookset and get them in the boat, you give a powerful fish that you hooked up with that close to the boat any slack and she'll be gone!

A solid hookset and put your rod down when the fish starts to jump at the boat. Make sure to never give any slack.

The only thing I've not heard mentioned is a sweeping hook set. This assumes the jig is being dragged on the bottom.....and no matter what you catch a bass on, don't let em jump.

Yes, there are times that we can't keep them from jumping. But personally I've found that if I can keep them from jumping far from the boat.....and the fish is netted or lipped quickly when she's close to the boat, I have a very high success rate of landing the fish.

Also, in addition to picking up any slack through fast reeling....take a step away from the fish. It might just be that there's a tad too much slack in your line before you set the hook.

We always trim and fan the weed guard a little, it seems to help us out a little better

Could just be the law of averages which says your not gonna catch em all... (also see frog fishing posts)

take the leader off trim the guard down a little thinner or fan it out high speed reel. and crack the whip when ya set the hook. dont forget you can drag the fish with your trollin motor to keep constant pressure.

The hook in football jig will flex and you are tearing a hole. With that set up you can just pull on them and penetrate a football jig hook. There is no way you aren't setting the hook hard enough unless you aren't setting it at all and even then I think you would hook them.

U might be setting the hook to soon. Use a hook set like a c-rig and try to stick the big in the side of its mouth if u penetrate that layer of his mouth he won't come off. And I would throw straight 20lb floro. Gives u a little stretch.

Very nice thread! I am learning!!!