As we head into fall, a lot of my fishing switches from cast and retrieve angling for fish in relatively shallow water to more vertical jigging in deeper water. A problem that I occasionally seem to encounter when vertically jigging from a float tube is that it seems like I don't always get the power I want in my hooksets (compared to jigging from a boat or on the ice). I also will seem to contort myself into some comical positions to get the power I want on the said hooksets. Obviously, weak hooksets equal large numbers of longline releases and missed strikes. I realize that rod stiffness and length can affect power, but one also needs sensitivity to detect those subtle takes. What do you all do to get good hooksets from a tube?
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[black][size 3]I can understand your problem if you were fishing bait, or if you set your hooks "bass pro" style, trying to remove the lower jaw of the fish.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]Setting a hook on a fish from a tube while fishing a jig should not be a problem. The line must be "tight" in order to detect the strike.
A simple lifting of the rod should set the hook.[/size]
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[size 3]Unless I am not understanding your post, I don't see where this would be a problem that you would encounter from a tube, and not from a boat or from the ice.[/size]
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[size 3]Unless, you're fishing mono. which has a tendency to stretch like elastic on a hook set.[/size]
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If using non-stretch braid or similar or wire, just lift the hook in.
Or if you are using monofilament kick back on the fins and simultaneously lift with more authority, remembering to ease off promptly once the hook is in, to prevent inducing a berserker fishy reaction!
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1. "if you were fishing bait, or if you set your hooks "bass pro" style,"
The question refers to vertically presented jigs sometimes tipped with bait or not. (I can't remember the last time I fished with straight bait when my 6 yr. old wasn't involved) I do fish for bass a lot during the summer, maybe that desensitizes me a bit.[
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2. "I don't see where this would be a problem that you would encounter from a tube, and not from a boat or from the ice."
On a boat or on the ice, I tend to use my legs in a rising action when setting the hook. I may be unique in this regard, but it does seem to work for me. I can't do this sitting in a tube.
3. "Unless, you're fishing mono. which has a tendency to stretch like elastic on a hook set."
Excellent point, I mainly use either coploymers or a flourocarbon coated copolymer anymore. I know braid has the least stretch, but I have never liked it for some reason.
Thanks for the input.
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[black][size 3]Your response to my post prompts me to ask a couple of questions. [/size][/black]
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[size 3]Do you use chemically sharpened hooks on your jigs? or do you sharpen them?[/size]
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[size 3]Using your legs to set the hook may be a little excessive unless you have your own TV show, or are fishing bass from heavy cover. [/size]
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[size 3]Sharp hooks penetrate the mouth of fresh water fish with ease. [/size]
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[size 3]I have fished with fellow fishermen, and watched others who, when they set a hook, run up the bank, almost dislocate their shoulders, or nearly fall over backwards in their effort. [/size]
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[size 3]I have fished for all of the fresh water species, and have never experienced any problem.[/size]
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[size 3]Could it be that it's a matter of timing?[/size]
[size 3]Either setting the hook too soon or to late, pulling the jig out of the fish's mouth.[/size]
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I used to use light-medium action rods all year, till i realized that for bass in their deep water holding pattern I was just not getting the fast action I needed (the bending of the rod absorbing way to much energy) and invested in a 7ft heavy action Ugly Stick ... incredible difference.
If you're jigging and concerned about the loss of rod-feedback when a fish is interested, simply press your index finger to the line while you're jigging. The smallest knock will instantly be felt at your finger tip.
-ABT
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[cool][#0000ff]There are a lot of variables...size and type of line, length and power of rod, weight and type of jig, depth of water and length of line, etc. Obviously the type and sharpness of the hook is important too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am guessing that you are referring to the smallies going deeper at Jordanelle and having to make vertical presentations to them. I actually like fishing them that way. I seldom have problems with either hooksets or longline releases...at least any more than usual.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Two years ago I found a rod blank I love for such fishing. It is a six foot blank, medium light, fast tip. It has a great feel and is sensitive enough to work light jigs but has enough power in the rear 2/3 of the rod to insure solid hooksets. I built two of them into baitcast rods and two into spinning rods. I use them all year...even for ice fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I use Silver Thread Excalibur line almost exclusively. Usually 6# for most Jordanelle fishing but 4# on lighter rods. It does not have excessive stretch and is very abrasion resistant. I do not miss many hooksets because of line stretch. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of the things I trained myself to do a long time ago is to make wrist snap hooksets, rather than sweeping the rod skyward whenever I have in inquiry. If I feel something, I cock my wrist and do a slow lift. If I feel "positive" weight, I release my wrist for a quick snap of a couple of feet. That type of quick snap does a better job of hook penetration than merely "pulling" on the hook. In many cases I follow it up with a second hookset...reeling down on the fish and giving it another whamo.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of the jigs and lures I fish these days are made with Matzuo sickle hooks. They are extremely sharp, right out of the box. It is not unusual for me to bring in a stout fish with the hook point penetrating clear up through the hard part of the upper jaw. However, because of the fine wire and small barb on the hooks they are easily removed for releasing the fish unharmed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When I am vertical jigging from my tube, I rest my rod arm elbow on a pocket for stability, and I keep the rod tip only a few inches above the water. In addition to concentrating on the feel, I watch both the line and the rod tip. If there is any change in "the force", I do the wrist snap. Hooksets are free.[/#0000ff]
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I don't get the problem either (all of what Saber said)
First off I don't ice fish so can understand that some will hit very light.
I am finding the fish deep NOW while it is hot (50' to 60'at Strawberry)
I can answer for fly fishing and that is to just pull your line while the tip stays down (that way if you miss that hook up, you are still in the ZONE). Don't know if that would work for a spinning outfit.
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In our several trips to Rock Cliff, I experimented with rods with different actions from different mfrs, since a medium action of one brand is not the same with another mfr. That day that we had a double-digit days at the Nelle, I was using a medium-heavy rod and don't remember losing any fish. On the days that I used a medium-action rod, I find that my hooksets were not as solid and that my initial hookset to drive the hook home were sometimes unsuccessful. One thing that I learned when using a MH or a heavy rod is to loosen the drag a little more when playing the fish, just to give the fish more playing room. I was using a MH rod at the last RC flotilla and the fish that I lost at the boat ramp in front of everybody was me having the case of a stiff drag-itis or just plain stage fright ( what with all the people watching me).
Why don't you try that MH Daiwa that you got from me? Give it a chance and see if it makes a difference with a hookset when fishing deeper or when you have a lot of line out. You are welcome to borrow a rod or two from my collection just to try out different actions.
To detect subtle takes, I usually hold the line with my left hand (I'm sure you do that, too) and let the fish run with my offering for a second or two. I guess when using a MH or heavy rods, I've learned to watch my line very carefully for any movement. Of course, this technique depends on the wind conditions.
P.S. When I shore-fish for largies at Utah Lake (PBH and LBH), I bring out my 7' heavy action baitcasting rod and flip my way along the shoreline with a dark tube. Caught a lot of largies this way this year.
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Thanks all for the responses. This question was actually prompted from two trips in particular I took afloat last fall. One was at Deer Creek, where I located a school of LMB and trout, (I know, odd combo) and the other was a Strawberry trip for trout. I guess I made it sound like I was aimlessly beating the water to a froth, but they were both good double digit days, but in evaluating my performance, I missed an overly high number of fish and had excessive early releases, and felt it was due to poor hookset technique.
On both occasions, I was using a medium light action rod. I am intrigued by ABT's suggestion. I may need to experiment with a different rod for such applications. (And do some more spending too? TD, do you have one more rod blank?) I would imagine, on careful analysis, that my timing, fish behavior, hook sharpness, and other variables all had a role. Anyway, it will be a fun project for me to work on my technique this fall, and will give me an excuse to get out a couple extra times. Thanks again.
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Actually, Rock Cliff fishing for most of the summer (for me) is more cast and retrieve fishing technique in shallow water and the original question was more about deeper water vertical jigging. I love the rods I use at Rock Cliff presently. They give me the feel one needs for my finesse fishing and the power for good hooksets in the heavy brush and weeds I like to slop into.
[size 1]"Why don't you try that MH Daiwa that you got from me?"[/size]
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I was thinking the same thing about that Daiwa rod. (heavy action but handles well) It might be exactly what I am looking for. We will have give it a try.
[size 1]''P.S. When I shore-fish for largies at Utah Lake (PBH and LBH), I bring out my 7' heavy action baitcasting rod and flip my way along the shoreline with a dark tube. Caught a lot of largies this way this year." [/size]
Shhhhh, we were going to keep that "lunch break" bassin quiet.[
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Still want to go tomorrow? The work schedule doesn't look too bad for me.
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