I make two strokes along each side of the upper cutting edge, two strokes on each of the flat sides, and two strokes straight down the back. The finished product will snag bass no matter how little of the point encounters the fish. Don't over sharpen as the Jensen sharpener is so sharp it will wear the hook point down quicky if oversharpened. Check Your Line for Weak Spots - Anglers always talk about using fresh line, but checking the line just above the lure is more important. When I was a teenager, I used the same line on my reels for the entire year, and sometimes even two years, and it held up well.
Modern lines are of even better quality and they can take more abuse.
Instead of constantly replacing line, I simply check the first three feet above my lure. If the line is nicked or roughed up, cut off a few feet and retie. You should also cut off any line that has become waterlogged and discolored. Once these maneuvers become automatic and you gain experience and confidence, you'll begin landing almost every bass you hook. All rights reserved.