About the only thing on a lake’s bottom that never gets tired of biting is the bottom itself.
But when your bait runs headlong into serious captivity, it’s time to send in the repo man, the lure knocker.
Commercially marketed lure knockers vary in size, weight and design based on the depth and cover for which they’re intended.
Examples range from the rocket shaped Strikezone Lure Co.’s Pocket Knocker Lure Retriever to the EZ Lure Retriever comprisng a heavy lead weight, shaped and painted to resemble a baitfish, with an open metal frame extending from its back, a retrieval cord attached to its tail and chains dangling from the head.
When a snag occurs, slip the metal frame over your line, hold the retrieval cord in one hand with the fishing line in the other and let the lure knocker slide down to the snag.
For smaller baits like jigs and shaky heads, use a homemade knocker comprising a 2-ounce in-line sinker with a snap attached to the line tie.
The snap clips to the line and slides down to dislodge the bait.
When deploying a lure knocker, keep a good grip on that cord or your snagged lure will gain permanent company.
Once you free your bait, survey the area with your bottom machine, mark your way points and then target them with jigs, dropshots or Texas-rigged baits.
Same goes for logs, laydowns, or fallen docks that unexpectedly grab your bait.
All’s not lost if you snag bottom. With patience you might free your lure, and locate fishy structure for later casts.
About the only thing on a lake’s bottom that never gets tired of biting is the bottom itself.
Tugging usually worsens matters by driving hooks deeper or wedging an entire lure tighter into whatever grips it. “Snapping” the snag—pulling a taught line to the side and releasing it to snap a loosening tremor down to the point of ensnarement may work for moderate snags. But when your bait runs headlong into serious captivity, it’s time to send in the repo man, the lure knocker.
In simplest terms, this tool comprises a weighted form that attaches to your line and slides down to “knock” the snagged lure free. As most snags occur while lures are moving for- ward, lure knockers strike their target front-to-back with a motion intended to push the bait away from its entrapment.
Commercially marketed lure knockers vary in size, weight and design based on the depth and cover for which they’re intended. Examples range from the rocket shaped Strikezone Lure Co.’s Pocket Knocker Lure Retriever to the EZ Lure Retriever comprisng a heavy lead weight, shaped and painted to resemble a baitfish, with an open metal frame extending from its back, a retrieval cord attached to its tail and chains dangling from the head.
