Frustration and Elation

[bigugly]

Frustraion, I need waders soakers are no fun. I had to re tie 5 times from getting massive tangles in my line wrapped around my rod. I'm hoping with experience this will diminish but I seem to spend a lot of time re tieing. Am I doing something wrong, any advice for a newbie? I will admit after years away from the sport of creek fishing the new equipment I have and knowlegdge learned on the bank has vastly improved my catch. Today I managed 6 one pounder, couldn't find anything bigger willing to hit on anything I had but I managed my personal best ever Brown Trout at 5-6 pounds, was an amazing fight and a beautiful deep copper to brown with a hint of orange and stunning white belly. I did not have the oppurtunity to get a picture as it slipped it's tail out of my grip before I could snap a picture but it's burned into my memory! A good couple of hour on th e water before work, I just need to slow down and not get frustrated by the tangles.

 

[ChromeAddict]

I find that taking my time helps with getting less tangles. When you do get a mess, stop and take your time, rushing will only make it happen again. Try to identify what is causing the tangles, and work to prevent it. For example, if your line is twisting, add a swivel to your rig or start side casting. I haven't been river fishing for very long either, but I have found that this helps.

 

[rich_ace_G]

^^^good points...I always check my line after 5 drifts...it's a hassle to untangle your line, that's going to take 10-15 minutes of your time if you're lucky or like what I do, cut the line and re-rig. it's also a hassle to re-rig but i can do that faster than untangling a line and you will also create weak points on your line on trying to.

 

[artimus001]

I find that taking my time helps with getting less tangles. When you do get a mess, stop and take your time, rushing will only make it happen again. Try to identify what is causing the tangles, and work to prevent it. For example, if your line is twisting, add a swivel to your rig or start side casting. I haven't been river fishing for very long either, but I have found that this helps.

side casting causes line twist. Wallis casting helps to prevent twisting.

one tip to remove line twist. strip all the gear off of your main line, and feed your naked line into the current and leave it out for a minute or two. this well help to remove the twist without having to cut the twisted line out.

 

[ChromeAddict]

^^^ My bad I mixed the two up. Post edited.

 

[ChromeAddict]

I find that taking my time helps with getting less tangles. When you do get a mess, stop and take your time, rushing will only make it happen again. Try to identify what is causing the tangles, and work to prevent it. For example, if your line is twisting, add a swivel to your rig or start wallis casting. I haven't been river fishing for very long either, but I have found that this helps.

 

[fisgfreek]

I guess the wind didn't help ether, it was nasty out yesterday.

 

[BERRRG]

I find with a birds nest there's always a way that it got tangled, if you really slowly try to just "unwind" the tangle in reverse it will often just surprisingly fall apart and you're good to go. Also find the less shot you use (IE two large shot instead of four small) it becomes much easier to unwind birds nests.

Also, extend your surgical tubing that is holding the float pegs beyond the float pegs. In other words make your surgical tubing longer than the float pegs themselves. This means the line can't wrap around the peg while airborne. Hope that helps.

 

[Doctor Z]

I found I was getting a lot of tangles and bird nests and I traced it to having the spool too full. I don't know what gear or rig you are using so please disregard if irrelevant but if you are using a spinning reel, it should be filled to 3/16 of the spool lip or almost full. I got in the habit of filling the spool to maximum capacity while doing mostly carp fishing and it works in that context because you aren't casting that much-but trout fishing is was tangle city because there is a lot more casting and activity so possibly that something to look at.

 

[BASSMASTER19]

what exactly is your setup and you you mind posting a pic?

 

[flandogg]

I find that using barrel swivels (one for leader, one for shot line and one for float) minimizes the line twist, which results in less tangles = more time fishing

 

[jc53]

You can use fireline crystal which is a braided line. No line twist to worry about.
Also instead of the stem floats you can use slip floats to reduce line twist

 

[bigugly]

I can't post a picture right now but I'm using a 12'6" Shimano Convergance, slow action with a mid level shimano spin reel. I use a shot line and a bait line via two swivels, line is Berkley XT 8lbs test leaders are 5.5 fluro. I think it's using to many shot. Typically it happens when I go to set hook with a straight back motion. Thanks for all the tips, I'll try a few on Monday.

 

[michaelPhillips]

Just to add to the advice already given
when using beads watch your hook sets. They can be deadliy for tangles. especially when theres just a snag or the bait hitting bottom. I really like a small+fast lift into the fish until I feel hes there. Then if needed i give a good set.

If using a spinner add a swivel to reduce line twist,