Quote Originally Posted by Bonefish View Post
Throughout my bass fishing, when a bass comes out of the water on the jump, I try to keep a tight line and even try to pull him back into the water. I don't loose too many fish this way, but in the past year I have watched a lot of the pro's "bow" to the fish, or lower their rod tips to take off the pressure in the jump. I am curious as to what you all do when a fish jumps to lessen the percentage of becoming unbuttoned.

I personally like watching them jump during the fight and will actually pull up on the fish as he/she jumps to keep the line tight but also to get a little fun. If after the first jump, she is a trophy, then I will try to keep the rod tip down to keep them from jumping but targeting Smallies like I do the majority of the time, if they want to jump there is really nothing I can do to stop them. I lose very few on the jump and actually have lost more fish in trying to keep my rod tip down for I can't always keep the line tight. Being a fun fisherman and not a tourney guy, it does not cost me any money at the weigh in.