Both of these lures have excellent hooks which gives them a special attraction for submerged wood of all types. We use a Hound Dog lure knocker/retriever with 2 4-6" lengths of 1/4" chain securely attached. An old broken rod and reel make excellent storage for the Hound Dog's and its line [85-150lb]. After the lure is hung-up, attach the Dog to the lure's line and let it slip down until the Dog makes contact with the lure. Take the hung-up rod in one hand and the Dog's rod in the other. Raise & lower the Dog up about 2' with the hung-up lure's line slightly tight so the Dog goes straight down and makes contact with the lure. One or two cycles of the "up and down" process is usually adequate to free the hung-up lure. We have had an excellent success rate with this technique. However, if all else fails, try to catch the lure's hooks with the Dog's chains. When the Dog is caught on the lure's hooks, use a piece [10-12"] of sch 40 PVC pipe to twist in the Dog's line and pull. Usually straightens a few lure hooks but the lure is saved. The PVC is essential since it keeps you from cutting your hands on the heavy Dog line. Braid and other line types can really cut your fingers/hands especially if they are wet. Use caution since a lost lure is better than cut hands/fingers. Hope this helps.

Good post!

I use braded line on most of my rods now. Pull hooks bend replace and repeat.

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Great post and responses. I pull the line tight and release it as my last ditch effort, the spark plug method will be tried, I have thought about using a carabiner with key rings on it, but I see I need more weight. I am going to clip a spark plug or two on it, along with a rag. It seems hooks love cloth, drop a treble on your carpet and you can shift your foundation

I don't do the big boy 10xd bait, but for the 6xd the bow and arrow / guitar pluck method works great...

(actually that method works great for all baits, but the xd crankbaits will swim a lil backwards when you do it and come unsnagged)



This video shows the technique (it is a pretty poor quality video, but regardless, you can get the idea of how to do it)

Also if you happen to break off, keep your eyes open often times breaking the line is just what it takes to free up a bait.
JR

The bass pro tool has worked pretty good for me.

Rick Clunn has a Facebook video tip on freeing crankbaits. Probably work on other type baits as well;

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=765...e=2&theater

Offer your fishing buddy a Natty light if he'll dive down & get your lure!

Used to if I got snagged up in the trees I'd get my 12ga and shoot the limb off...

On tex rig and jigs learn to snap our line just above the reel,it will take practice but once you get it figured out you will rarely lose a bait. on crank baits that will float,if you do break off a lot off times when the line breaks it will pop them loose so keep an eye out to see if they come up,when its windy they can be hard to see

Be AWARE of your line on windy days. Cast plug to one side of stump, line blows to other side of it in flight, you get hung up on retrieve. If you go to side of stump that plug landed on to retreive lure, you have just wrapped line half way around stump and will have hard time getting knocker down to plug.

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I really like the spark plug idea. I will throw one in the box for the next trip.