fizzing bass

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Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on January 18, 2009 at 7:31pm

I normally lay back the pectoral fin and go just over two finger widths back than go in under the scales at an angle. Seems to work well for me, I know there are other ways too, but this works for me.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on January 18, 2009 at 7:38pm

The method I use is pretty simple and works EVERY time:

1) Draw an imaginary line between the anal opening and the middle of the dorsal fins.
2) Where this imaginary line intersects the lateral line, count down 3 scales and 5 scales towards the head.
3) At this point, insert the needle under the scale and angle the needle slightly towards the head. If you do this properly you will hit the swim bladder every time.
4) Don't release too much air from the swim bladder as this can be detrimental to the fish.

This technique works on smallmouth and largemouth of all sizes. I actually had to fizz an 11+ lb. buzzbait largemouth I caught in early fall because it came out of 20+ feet of water to strike the lure. This method worked perfectly. I was a little nervous because it was pretty fat and the scales were so big.

I know that the through the mouth technique works well when done properly also. It requires a special "long needle". I have not attempted this yet but I want to learn.

Great vids from yesterday, Troy. Way to get those smallies back in the water so quickly.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on January 18, 2009 at 7:49pm

Jordan Doucet said:

I normally lay back the pectoral fin and go just over two finger widths back than go in under the scales at an angle. Seems to work well for me, I know there are other ways too, but this works for me.

My opinion on this method is that it works well most of the time. However, I think a guy has to modify it slightly with a long fish or an abnormally fat fish. You probably do this subconsciously given your success rate. I've seen guys miss with this technique, typically with larger fish. Just what I've observed....

Permalink Reply by Chris Howell on January 18, 2009 at 8:03pm

That is insane! Who fizzes an 11+ pound bass?? Oh wait...Tag does!

I have limited experience in fizzing bass but I've found the "through the mouth" technique is very simple. If you look at a picture of the two different ways it seems to me that the mouth version has a higher percentage of placing the needle in the right place (JMHO). Besides, I'm unsure of the side location but I know those that fizz a lot of fish would rather, or should I say are use to, fizzin' on the side. I would like to learn the side technique...just need to catch a fish to try it.

Really...how big are the scales on a 11+ pounder??? Sheesh!

Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on January 18, 2009 at 9:15pm

You're probably right T, I eye it a little on the bigger fish, I've yet to get it down to a science though.

Tag Watson said:

Jordan Doucet said:

I normally lay back the pectoral fin and go just over two finger widths back than go in under the scales at an angle. Seems to work well for me, I know there are other ways too, but this works for me.

My opinion on this method is that it works well most of the time. However, I think a guy has to modify it slightly with a long fish or an abnormally fat fish. You probably do this subconsciously given your success rate. I've seen guys miss with this technique, typically with larger fish. Just what I've observed....

Permalink Reply by Thayne on January 19, 2009 at 2:34pm

I have fizzed fish both ways through the mouth and through the side. Through the mouth seems the best way for me once you have done it there is no second guessing if you are in the correct spot. The fish also take on enough stress when pulled out of 40 plus feet of water that fizzing them through the mouth takes less time and you dont have to lay them on the deck of your boat. It takes about the same amount of time to fizz a fish through the mouth as it does to take a hook out. what ever way works for you and gets the job done is the best way. I have attached a photo of were to place the needle when fizzing through the mouth. if you have a normal short needle just use a pair of needle nose pliers to hold the needle


Thayne

Attachments:

• fizzing.jpg, 45 KB

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on January 19, 2009 at 2:46pm

Ripalip said:

I have fizzed fish both ways through the mouth and through the side. Through the mouth seems the best way for me once you have done it there is no second guessing if you are in the correct spot. The fish also take on enough stress when pulled out of 40 plus feet of water that fizzing them through the mouth takes less time and you dont have to lay them on the deck of your boat. It takes about the same amount of time to fizz a fish through the mouth as it does to take a hook out. what ever way works for you and gets the job done is the best way. I have attached a photo of were to place the needle when fizzing through the mouth. if you have a normal short needle just use a pair of needle nose pliers to hold the needle


Thayne

Excellent tips. Thanks, Thayne.

Permalink Reply by Chris Howell on January 19, 2009 at 3:00pm

That's an excellent picture of placement of the needle for through the mouth fizzing.

Thanks Thayne.

Permalink Reply by Mark Maderos on January 19, 2009 at 4:15pm

Thanks for the photo Thayne, I tried the mouth method over at banks on the frostbite. Needless to say, I stuck the poor bastard and he bled everywhere. I will have to experiment with it some more because it seems like a sure fire can't miss once you know where the "spot" is.

Mark

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on January 19, 2009 at 4:40pm

A good article on "fizzing" by Marc Marcantonio that I saw on Westernbass.com today.

http://www.westernbass.com/dotcom/library/view.html?id=2527

Permalink Reply by Thayne on January 19, 2009 at 5:24pm

No probelm on the photo I think once you hit the correct spot you will never go through the side again.


Thayne

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on January 19, 2009 at 6:00pm

Ripalip said:

No probelm on the photo I think once you hit the correct spot you will never go through the side again.


Thayne

I need to try the through the mouth technique when I finally get out fishing. Wish me luck....

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