Fighting Fish

[JDT295]

I am new to steelheading and was having some trouble reeling in the fish once i have it on the hook. I was fishing yesterday and had 5 different fish on my line for about 3-8 seconds eac, but eventually they all got loose, any tips?

 

[Dozer]

Thats steelhead

Welcome to the forum. You could be getting crappy hooksets and you may be using sub par hooks. Also don't forget steelhead are crazy, loosing fish is part of the game.

 

[NADO]

Sounds like a bad hookset or not keeping tension on the line.

How are you fishing? ie. what type/length of rod, float fishing/bottom bouncing/fly fishing/tossing hardware?

Also did they spit the hook or break your line?

 

[rich_ace_G]

what gear are you using? if you're using spinning reels, if it snaps your leader. your drag is too tight. if steelhead keeps spitting your hook. it's loose.

 

[JDT295]

Thanks, i am using an 10'6 float rod and a centrepin reel and i was floating a bead 2" from hook. I use number 10 gamatsu octopus hooks. Also only 1 of them snapped my line and felt very strong, i use. 4.5 raven fluoro leader, the rest just came off, the line was tight but they just pulled off

 

[rich_ace_G]

i'm using spinning reel on 9'6" rod using exact the same setup (except for the reels)and have no problem. could be a pin thing or a really big chrome.

 

[JDT295]

Thats why I am trying to figure out reeling in big fish techniques. Ive only reeled in small ones where once they bite you can just reel til theyre in. So I don't really have any ideas on how to get the bigger ones, like keeping tension on the line or letting them run, stuff like that.
Thanks

 

[NADO]

the ones that came off were probably from a bad hookset or not enough tension from the sounds of your setup. Were you fishing big water? 10'6 is fine for most rivers but if you get into wider rivers it becomes tough. One of the most important aspects of float fishing is making sure you dont have too much slack line on the water for both presentation and setting the hook. A little bit is fine but if there is too much then setting the hook is difficult.

 

[staffman]

You should use a snell knot with the hooks that you are using to get the hook to penetrate properly.

 

[iamnickevans]

When you are using beads try using a larger hook, like a #8 Wide gap. Wide gap hooks a specifically designed for situations such as bead fishing. I would also use a slightly stronger leader, try using 6lb-8lb leader in water that isn't clear. The strong leader usually has less stretch and will provide a better hook set. Since you are using a 10'6" rod I would set the hook as hard as possible since you don't create the speed a 13ft rod would, also when you set the hook try to set it straight up. Like NADO said, make sure you don't have any slack in your line, the smallest amount of slack will reduce your hook ups significantly. As for knots, I would only suggest using the snell if you are using a hook which has an offset shank, if you use this knot on a straight shank hook you will actually decrease your effectiveness of the hook.
Goodluck!

 

[fishernick]

it happens, maybe a little more so with beads because the hooks not actually in their mouth when you set the hook.

i find that setting the hook to the side(normally downstream) helps increase my hook sets in the corner of the mouth where it should be.

like others have suggested i would up your leader, 4.5 is good for clear creeks and still has enough strength to pull in the big boys but you have to play your pin right. maybe use 6lb until you get the hang of fighting fish.

practice makes perfect! and when in doubt dont horse it.

 

[hightechdecks]

Nick Evans and Staffman are 100%. like staffman i use steelheader knot evertime you will see the way the hook sits on the line oppossed to being loose like with imp clinch or palomar making for far more responsive hooksets. Also i like a float with a smaller profile like a drennan loafer or some other trotting float over an acorn or zeppler style, allthough very minor i beleive the drag caused by the bigger float can impede hookset power. Number 1 reason for poor hooksets...............sinking line!

 

[xxxSIBxxx]

No one is perfect my friend, practice makes improvement . Let the fish run when it wants to run and dont horse it that`s for sure, that`s when i usually lose my fish is when i try n force it in, not a good idea lol. Always keep line tight and if fish jumps bow your rod to him or he`ll most likely break you off.

 

[Rain-Bow]

Some awesome tips in this thread. Only thing I can add is to make fast hook sets when fishing beads.

 

[Knuguy]

Where would all the stories about the big one that got away come from if fishermen didn't regularly lose fish. .................just sayin'

 

[rich_ace_G]

feeling the tug is an exhilarating experience. landing the fish is the rewards of putting hours in the water and honing your skills. you will be landing them in no time.

 

[iJay]

Best advice I ever got for steelhead was keep the tip of your rod up.
Let the rod do the work, setting the hook comes down to an art. I have no expirence with beads, however I can tell you steelhead have to be one of the most under and out of water acrobatic fish I have seen in a river setting.

Rod tip up and a line with no slack

 

[CanadianAngler87]

Thats fishing best thing to do is keep tryin! We all have our days where it just doesnt go our way. I went 1:4 today nothing more frustrating too feel tug tug tug..off im sure the ducks heard me cuss a bit today lol but it kept me going!

 

[buck]

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