Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Best rod Fighting the fish?

I usually fish with ultralight gear, 7 foot graphite rod & 4lb line test. Obviously big ones break me off sometimes, especially near cover, but I get lots of action & have brought in five 9 lb plus LMB on this tackle. My biggest was 27 inches, clearly 11 lb plus (we didn't have a scale, though we did get a pic).

But there's a problem: LMB throw the hook, especially when they jump. I try to discourage jumping by sticking the rod under water, keeping the line tight, etc, but still I lose way too many. And these aren't heavy lures, as my favorite is just a simple 1/32 oz jighead with 4 inch worm.

Lately I've wondered if I might be better off trying a slower tip rod that bends more across the entire shaft. Fast action helps me set the hook on light line, but I suspect it also helps the fish throw the lure. I remember using a very slow action noodle type rod years ago and, while being occasionally outgunned in cover, few fish were able to spit the hook.

Any comments or experiences? This is important not so much that I'll catch a biggun, but that I can more efficiently harvest excess bass. Recall that I'm talking ultralight, not heavier gear here.