Although I can not speek to much about those large bass like you had on down there. Up here when we hook into an Atlantic Salmon and it is heading up out of the water in one of those giant leeps into the air like they like to do. We have to drop the rod tip down quickly as it breaks the water. This allows enough slack for the falling back so it can not 1) break your line, 2) rip the hook free from it's mouth. You see the wieght of those fish alone falling back into the water can cause this to happen. I am thinking it would be the same with a 10 or 12 lb bass falling back on the fish hook if it not hooked very bad causing a rip out of it's mouth vurses throwing the hook out. So I am not sure on those big bass but it wouldn't hurt you none to try it. The line will still stay realatively tight just the same and it will allow it room to drop back into the water. Good Luck on the next big one.

Also thank you for the gift you sent me. I might not try the worms out until next summer. Although I may be able to for a little bit while I take my tree stand up on a point. Going by boat to the point will be easier when putting the tree stand up rather than carrying it in from land. The weather is finnally cooling down now up here so it is almost time to getting ready for bow season.