Smallmouth have a maddening knack for throwing the hook when they jump. My outfitter suggested "pulling them over" right before they jump, so that's what I've done the last several years. My landing percentage has improved, but I really miss watching them jump. So this year, I'm going let 'em do their thing and enjoy the aerial show.

My question is this: for those of you who let 'em jump, do you subscribe to the "bow to the jumping fish" theory and throw them slack line when they leap? Or do you try to keep a tight line throughout the jump? Which technique is more effective for you?

I'll bow to a four-pound or bigger fish. Otherwise, I let 'em leap!

I let the line go slack.

I bow when I can or need to.......

I am an amateur's amateur... so my fishing skills and techniques are far inferior than most of the responses you'll get here...With that said, I love to watch them jump. So I will always let them jump if they want to. Even the big ones. If I lose a few because of this preference, so be it :)

QueticoMike: "I bow when I can or need to......."

So how do you know if you "need to" bow to a particular fish? Do you have any rules of thumb?

Spookmeister: "

QueticoMike: "I bow when I can or need to......."

So how do you know if you "need to" bow to a particular fish? Do you have any rules of thumb?"

Bowing will only go so far. All it is doing is taking pressure off your line. Originally developed for tarpon and similar fish to reduce chance of breaking a leader but consider that even if a smallie was pinned to a lure without any line connecting it to your rod it would still likely throw the hook if the lure is a rapala or spoon etc. The way they jump and whip their bodies back and forth, with the weight of the lure, you will likely see that lure fly back at you. Mind you if you are that concerned try it and see if it helps. Losing fish when they jump is greatly reduced if using flies/poppers etc, but it still does happen from time to time. It’s just part of the game and at least you get to see the fish. It’s much worse to become unpinned when fighting a biggie straight down below the canoe and you never know what it was...a big pike or monster walleye?

Moonman

Spookmeister: "

QueticoMike: "I bow when I can or need to......."

So how do you know if you "need to" bow to a particular fish? Do you have any rules of thumb?"

I have no rule of thumb. Just kind of a feeling and knowing of the fish during the fight. I guess it is kind of a natural instinct built up after 10s of thousands of battles.

Smallie battle in Quetico video

Unless they are exceptionally large, I make no effort to keep them from jumping. I find that I lose fewer fish if I keep a tight line at all times, especially fishing in Quetico with the required barbless or pinched barb hooks, so I would not bow. Since I rarely count or keep score any more, and have caught many thousands of fish, I don't really stress about losing fish and enjoy all of their antics even if they get away. I just like a lot of action. Really large, rare or trophy size fish still get my heart pumping, and still make my stomach sink when they get away. As long as a smalley is under 22 inches, I don't care too much if he throws the hook.

mgraber: "..., I don't really stress about losing fish and enjoy all of their antics even if they get away..."

Exactly. Well said. Lose one, keep fishing.