Hottest Tips on How to catch BIG TREES!

SFL BassHunter · January 18, 2016, 08:33:24 PM

Many anglers know how to catch bass, and many know how to catch big bass. But what some anglers forget how to do is effectively catch trees. I want to take a moment here and give you guys my best advice, on how to catch trees of all sizes, but mostly how to catch BIG TREES!

FROM THE BANK:
1. Walk right up to the bank and don't pay any attention to your surroundings.
2. Make sure you have a very expensive lure with treble hooks. Nothing catches trees like trebles.
3. Look at the water and AIM for the spot you want your lure to hit.
4. Cast with a full range of motion. Overhand works best in this type of scenario.
5. Make sure the lure gets wedged as high and deep into the tree as possible, and what you want to do is set the hook into it by yanking on it. It works best if you are using light line so you can snap your lure off and not waste too much time trying to recover.
6. Leave the expensive lure in the tree.

FROM THE BOAT:
1. Troll to an area that looks like it can produce some fish along the bank.
2. Again treble hooks are best for this type of activity.
3. AIM for the bark of the tree to bounce your lure off it. But make sure the tree has limbs that come out in front of the bark or do what I tend to do regularly...misjudge the distance of the tree and overshoot it by 15 yards.
4. By overshooting the tree you have a chance to catch other trees in the background and if you don't happen to catch another tree, you'll surely end up tangling up on the intended tree.
5. The nice thing about the boat is you can troll your way to the tree and recover your lure...most of the times.

Thank you, I hope everyone here uses this tremendous advice on how to catch trees. Ask those who know me...BassinLou, and LMG.
I am a true master of Tree Catching and I can make you a better Tree Catcher too if you follow these simple tips on how to hook a BIG TREE!

Capt. BassinLou · January 18, 2016, 08:35:18 PM

I can vouch for this flawless technique, works like a charm...
Lmao!!

SFL BassHunter · January 18, 2016, 08:45:03 PM

Well thanks Lou, I appreciate your kind words!

flowerjohn · January 18, 2016, 08:53:33 PM

Lofnl Rick. Been there!

cojab · January 18, 2016, 09:04:38 PM

That cracked me up. Been there, done that!

Terry G · January 18, 2016, 09:34:48 PM

Don't forget to use BRAID it helps to wrap in the limbs of the tree

Fickman · January 19, 2016, 05:34:02 AM

Nothing like a good laugh first thing in the morning! Hilarious Rick! Thanks!

edwonbass · January 19, 2016, 05:54:10 AM

I regularly use this technique but I add the part where you troll over to the tree
and get the rods on your deck involved while bending the branch down to get your lure. This way you can catch more trees with one cast.

SFL BassHunter · January 19, 2016, 09:23:27 AM

Quote from: Terry G on January 18, 2016, 09:34:48 PM
Don't forget to use BRAID it helps to wrap in the limbs of the tree

Braid is excellent to wrap around tree limbs and if its thick enough you can break the limb and bring it to the boat, or even rip out the entire tree.

Thanks guys, happy I could make you all laugh a bit!

analfisherman · January 19, 2016, 10:06:59 AM

Great pointers my friend!!!!!!

And that's from an Angler who has put a LOT of time into perfecting this SKILL!

Well we just MAY HAVE to start a 'Traveling Trophy' contest?

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Bud Kennedy · January 19, 2016, 10:12:59 AM

AH YES ! A tried and true pattern experienced by fishermen everywhere.

coldfront · January 19, 2016, 10:45:41 AM

is there any correlation tied to the cost of the actual lure?

Oldfart9999 · January 19, 2016, 12:42:27 PM

Quote from: coldfront on January 19, 2016, 10:45:41 AM
is there any correlation tied to the cost of the actual lure?

Yes, the more expensive the lure, the easier to catch a tree. This a great way to stock up on your firewood also.
Rodney

SFL BassHunter · January 19, 2016, 01:07:05 PM

Oldfart9999 is completely accurate! In my experience the more expensive lures not only catch more trees but they catch them quicker than say a cheap bargain bin lure.

Smallie_Stalker · January 19, 2016, 02:55:38 PM

That was hysterical. I regularly participate in this form of fishing myself, and find that lure manufacturers (and in 1 case a rod manufacturer) tend to be very grateful to those of us who do.

SFL BassHunter · January 19, 2016, 05:20:26 PM

Quote from: Smallie_Stalker on January 19, 2016, 02:55:38 PM

That was hysterical. I regularly participate in this form of fishing myself, and find that lure manufacturers (and in 1 case a rod manufacturer) tend to be very grateful to those of us who do.

Lucky for me I've never broken a rod. But I have lost many lures.

Bigwrench · January 19, 2016, 05:35:42 PM

Lol ! I also practice this skill set often !
1 particular practice session stands out

About 4 years ago a rainy and windy day I got a 6XD hung in a tree (my 4th or 5th that weekend) , this one was at arms reach if I stood on the little section on the bow where the TM mounts I figured I could grab it and was determined to not lose another crank. I troll over and tuck my rod under my left arm , reach up with my right hand and stepped up enough to grab the crank. Got a good grip on it and about that time the wind shifted or something and I was falling overboard , the boat went the opposite direction and tossed the rod back on deck as I went over. Landed in the water and worked my way back to the boat (about 20' away it seemed) and climbed up on the motor and used the trim and got on the back deck. Crank still in hand and line snapped I looked up and 2 guys had just witnessed the whole thing lol.
I am sure they were dying inside trying not to laugh but they didn't and after making sure I was ok and offering me warm clothes went on their way.
I packed up and headed back to the camper (6-8 miles up the lake) , started unloading my gear and I was one combo short ..... Tammy and I went back the next day and it was sitting there in the water right where I went over at with the tip about 4" out of the water ! Pure luck that I found the rod and reel lol.

edwonbass · January 19, 2016, 06:56:06 PM

Quote from: Bigwrench on January 19, 2016, 05:35:42 PM
Lol ! I also practice this skill set often !
1 particular practice session stands out
About 4 years ago a rainy and windy day I got a 6XD hung in a tree (my 4th or 5th that weekend) , this one was at arms reach if I stood on the little section on the bow where the TM mounts I figured I could grab it and was determined to not lose another crank. I troll over and tuck my rod under my left arm , reach up with my right hand and stepped up enough to grab the crank. Got a good grip on it and about that time the wind shifted or something and I was falling overboard , the boat went the opposite direction and tossed the rod back on deck as I went over. Landed in the water and worked my way back to the boat (about 20' away it seemed) and climbed up on the motor and used the trim and got on the back deck. Crank still in hand and line snapped I looked up and 2 guys had just witnessed the whole thing lol.
I am sure they were dying inside trying not to laugh but they didn't and after making sure I was ok and offering me warm clothes went on their way.
I packed up and headed back to the camper (6-8 miles up the lake) , started unloading my gear and I was one combo short ..... Tammy and I went back the next day and it was sitting there in the water right where I went over at with the tip about 4" out of the water ! Pure luck that I found the rod and reel lol.

Dang! what an ordeal.

SFL BassHunter · January 20, 2016, 08:17:25 AM

Quote from: Bigwrench on January 19, 2016, 05:35:42 PM
Lol ! I also practice this skill set often !
1 particular practice session stands out
About 4 years ago a rainy and windy day I got a 6XD hung in a tree (my 4th or 5th that weekend) , this one was at arms reach if I stood on the little section on the bow where the TM mounts I figured I could grab it and was determined to not lose another crank. I troll over and tuck my rod under my left arm , reach up with my right hand and stepped up enough to grab the crank. Got a good grip on it and about that time the wind shifted or something and I was falling overboard , the boat went the opposite direction and tossed the rod back on deck as I went over. Landed in the water and worked my way back to the boat (about 20' away it seemed) and climbed up on the motor and used the trim and got on the back deck. Crank still in hand and line snapped I looked up and 2 guys had just witnessed the whole thing lol.
I am sure they were dying inside trying not to laugh but they didn't and after making sure I was ok and offering me warm clothes went on their way.
I packed up and headed back to the camper (6-8 miles up the lake) , started unloading my gear and I was one combo short ..... Tammy and I went back the next day and it was sitting there in the water right where I went over at with the tip about 4" out of the water ! Pure luck that I found the rod and reel lol.

Dang BigWrench, that must have been one sucky day. I am surprised those guys didn't laugh.

big g · January 20, 2016, 12:43:56 PM

To add to all this valuable information. I have caught a bunch of trees in my day. The weirdest of all for me was in Weston several years ago. I was bank fishing, had a good bite, which felt like a big bass. I set the hook like it was a ten pounder and to my surprise a 10 inch fish flew out of the water up into the air and wrapped at the top of a black olive tree. I tried hard to get that bass out but it was wrapped 20 feet high and my line snapped. I felt bad all day.

I'm sure the birds enjoyed the treat.

SFL BassHunter · January 20, 2016, 01:08:19 PM

Quote from: big g on January 20, 2016, 12:43:56 PM
To add to all this valuable information. I have caught a bunch of trees in my day. The weirdest of all for me was in Weston several years ago. I was bank fishing, had a good bite, which felt like a big bass. I set the hook like it was a ten pounder and to my surprise a 10 inch fish flew out of the water up into the air and wrapped at the top of a black olive tree. I tried hard to get that bass out but it was wrapped 20 feet high and my line snapped. I felt bad all day. I'm sure the birds enjoyed the treat.

Poor little guy! I wonder if they are scared of heights...

Capt. BassinLou · January 20, 2016, 01:35:38 PM

Quote from: rickdelprado on January 20, 2016, 01:08:19 PM
Poor little guy! I wonder if they are scared of heights...

Lmao!!

Usmcmec · January 21, 2016, 08:26:53 AM

I love when guys do this me being on the cheap side I will go around and look up at the trees and the roots during low tide and find all kinds of lures. I kayak so I can get right next to where the lures and make them mine the most I got in trip was 9 lures.

analfisherman · January 21, 2016, 09:37:02 AM

Quote from: Usmcmec on January 21, 2016, 08:26:53 AM
I love when guys do this me being on the cheap side I will go around and look up at the trees and the roots during low tide and find all kinds of lures. I kayak so I can get right next to where the lures and make them mine the most I got in trip was 9 lures.

I do that TOO!

Usmcmec · January 21, 2016, 09:39:02 AM

Well at least I ain't the only one