Everybody has given you good advice:

1. Sharper hooks: I prefer Mustad Triple Grips.

2. Sweep-setting the hooks not a cross-their-eyes hook-set.

3. A 'forgiving' rod: I started using a 7' Kistler Helium Medium Casting rod a couple of years ago and havn't lost a cr/bait Bass since then. It is a light-in-weight(under 4 ounces with 10 line guides), extremely sensitive(I remember catching two Bass, both over 5 lbs; the first had just two prongs of the rear treble in the outside of her face and the other had only two prongs of the rear treble stuck in her upper, outer lip!), and yet powerful too.

4. Mono line: I disagree with that as mono is too stretchy for me. I know, that's why it's suppose to be 'good' for cr/bait bites but with the proper rod(HE70MC), my 15# test Seaguar's(almost no stretch) Carbon Pro flurocarbon line has brought them in and from some very 'snarly', snag-infested ponds.

5. Keep your rod tip down and especially if she start's to jump; stab it in the water and reel quickly, keeping any slack out of the 'connection' between you and the bait/Bass.

Dan

Dan