In addition to what everyone else has said, make sure that all--and I mean ALL--of your gear is in top shape.
Cut back any frayed braid.
Keep your drag serviced. Take the washers out, clean them, and re-lube them several times a season.
Check your leader regularly. If there's even a little nick or fray, or an area that's been chafed even a little, take 30 seconds to so to tie on a new one. Mono's cheap. The memory of a lost slob to a frayed leader costs you, even if it's just sleep (I speak from personal experience here).
Make sure that your plug hardware is in good shape. No rusted hooks. Upgrade the hooks to 4x or even 6x strong. Replace stock rings with HD Rasco rings. Don't fish plugs with cheap-assed hook hangers--use only thru-wired, or plugs that have screw eyes sunk into hardwood.
Don't use cheap snaps.
And as much as it may pain me--guys that hang big bass year after year fish eels.
Threaded Mode