Went to Nine mile this morning and got over 15 hits on a black woolly bugger but I can't seem to hook them. I actually had a -giant- rainbow up to the surface and he threw my hook. I held my head in anger and shame for about five minutes before I started fishing again.
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is your hook barbless?
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I don't know what the problem is... They clamp on until they reach the surface of the Ice and they get off. Almost every time!
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Sometimes it can be the leverage of the long shank streamer hooks, especially if barbless. Maybe try microbarbed or flies tied on shorter shanked hooks.
How sharp is your hook? Sharpening may help to hook better.
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I'll try sharpening them. I'm pretty new to Ice Fishing, but it's seems like I always have this problem. Ive always figured that the fish just aren't as aggressive in the winter. They nibble at things instead of striking them.
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sharpening the hooks will help get a better hook set, but keep in mind that trout have fairly hard mouths. a normal hookset during ice fishing for panfish wont cut it with trout. i had that problem at the berry a few weeks ago. kept swingin softly and missin. when you get the hit, set the hook HARD!! also use a spring bobber/strike indicator on the tip of your rod. it will sense those very small bites and increase the amount of hookups you have.
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