Popped by one of my local slimer puddles yesterday after dropping off my Johnson for some work. Was towards 5pm, so dusk setting in.
Got down to the shore and pitched some Joe's flies behind a bobber, and also pitched the pink/white tube I had tied on tipped with worm. Tried under a bobber, no takes, so tossed it to the bottom. Figured I might find some frisky perch to play with.
Water clear enough to watch as a few followers took interest when it paused - a few charges, then it's gone. HOOK, REEL, nose to the surface - break, jump, flip, flop - away she goes. Grrr.
Pitch back in, and I swear I think I hooked up the same fish on the next cast - same story, and acrobatic show, and away she go. Good fight on the fish - some muscle indeed.
Had some hits on the fly too - but same story, put some pressure on, the rise, jump, head shake and toss that hook back in MY face!
I've tried to maintain tension without torquing down too much, but I think I am pulling too hard, and my supposition is giving them the leverage to shake away, then toward the rod - enabling the barb to swing in, out, and away. I suppose I need to let off some pressure and let the rod tip do it's work and take up the slack, while not applying enough pressure to give the fish leverage.
I hooked up a half-dozen in an hour, and had several more bites, but didn't land a single silly slimer! Fun tugs, but a bit frustrating. Was a quick pitch while on an errand, not a focused fishing trip, so alas.
Just curious on anyone's take on strategy regarding tension, how much is enough, when is too hard too much. I've been trying to work more with looser drag, and give the fish a chance to work out - "enjoy the ride".
Great Report,
Shawn
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Go with a little softer rod. Not so stiff. Also when ever a fishes head comes out of the water back off on the amount of pressure until they go back under the water.
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I can never set the hook fast enough on a bump like that on a jig or fly. In and out of their mouths so quick.
I have finally started trying to think about the fish's mouth size and shape, and using a bigger gapped hook on bigger mouthed fish, like trout. I caught so many big bluegill this year at Mantua and UL, compared to past years by using bright horizontal ice jigs instead of regular ball head 1/16-1/32 oz jigs.. I'd tip the jigs and it became apparent that the gills would eat it from behind, on the tipped end, and that, since even big bluegills have small mouths, there was no way it would pop back out w/o hooking them.
Easy in, hard to get out..
Fly and bubble trout? I dunno. Seems like an easy in/easy out problem....... When the fly floats and I see the rise, I get em. When I'm dragging a wet fly, seems I have to be retrieving at a certain speed (whatever fast enough is) that they hook themselves.
I have bent my hook's point a tiny bit out, and I think it helped. Maybe one size up in flies? Check the point to see if it's sharp.
Just an non-pro going over what I'd try...
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[cool][#0000ff]Could be several possible explanations:[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]1. Inexperienced fish...don't know how to hang on.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2. Experienced fish...know how to get loose when they have been hooked.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]3. Inexperienced tangler...needs practice in hooking and properly fighting fish to keep them on the hook.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Realistically, there are a ton of potential reasons (excuses) for having that kind of day. Fish do not always bite the same. Sometimes they chomp down and the hooking is easy. Other times they might bump a bait or lure a couple of times before they really bite...if they bite. And sometimes they just nip a bait or lure more out of curiosity than ravenous hunger.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You should know and try different hook-setting techniques whenever you are having trouble getting solid hooksets or keeping the fish attached. There are times when you have to keep your wrist cocked and give a quick wrist snap as soon as you feel the bite. Other times it is best to just keep reeling when you feel the bump-bump-bump...until your rod loads and you feel weight. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When one of my uncles was teaching me to fish flies...in my childhood days in Idaho...one of the hardest things for me was to avoid raring back on the rod as soon as I saw the rise. He taught me to let the fish turn and start going away before tightening the line to set the hook. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A lot of bassers have to learn the same thing...especially on topwater stuff. Ditto for crankbaits. Letting the fish grab the lure and turn around...loading the rod...will result in far more positive hooksets.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The basic physics involved is that if you strike immediately...while the fish is still facing toward you...there is a high percentage chance that either the fish's mouth is open at that time...or the hook will not bite home in a good spot. But, if you wait until the fish is turned, you will usually hook them in the corner of the mouth. That is the whole principle of the circle hook, but it applies equally well to other hooks and lures too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, of course, the biggie...SHARP HOOKS...and hooks of the proper size for the fish you are pursuing and the baits/flies/lures you are fishing. If you are using small hooks on small lures you may need a bigger hook gap to make a connection. Use your needle nose pliers to slightly open the hook gap to get better hooking power.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Another factor is the strength and "action" of your rod. If it is too stiff for the stuff you are fishing and the size of the fish you are after you will rip a hole in their lips on the hookset. Too limber and you will not get good hook penetration. Not all rods are created equal and it is part of the balance...THE FORCE.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Once you hook the fish, use both the rod and reel properly to maintain pressure on the fish. The more active the fish and the longer you fight it the greater the chance it will tear a hole in its mouth...and the first time you allow slack to develop it will twist off the hook...especially if you are using a heavy lure that the fish can use as leverage while twisting or during a jump.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, one last comment. Be sure you know HOW to set a hook. I can't believe how many anglers set a hook with a long slow pull of the rod, rather than snapping the wrist to punch the hook home. I make the comparison that if you want to put a nail in a board you don't push it in...you pound it in. You get much better hook penetration with a quick wrist snap than with a heavy haul.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Otherwise, just resign yourself to the fact that you might just suck as a fisherman.[/#0000ff]
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Quote:[#0000ff]Otherwise, just resign yourself to the fact that you might just suck as a fisherman.[/#0000ff]
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Aye' there be far truer words 'ere be spoken (pirate voice) [/#008058]
I gave in to that true-ism long ago, in think part of what kept me from the many tugs in ponds and rivers as a youth, to a hiatus of some 20 years. It was when my boy got old enough not to hook himself, we took up the cause. Whole new learning curve - and re-learning curve.
Um -your day an Pineview points me to the same - technique makes a difference. Or the fish just all suffered lockjaw after you left (scared stiff!). Talked to other anglers who also suffered "no-bite syndrome". Least YOU found some nice crappie (and musta scared the crap outa 'em!). Spotted up all those schools at the end of the docks. Didn't give my offerings much attention. Mostly worked the narrows - some deep fish buried on the bottom some 50ft down.
Sometimes I think I strike too soon, sometimes I need to wait more. I just wonder if I'm rushing it - reeling too hard, too fast - not giving them enough band-width. But I know if I don't keep tension on - they be a goner!
I was giving 'em a good jerk alright, and had full on hookups - reeled for a number of cranks - fish was ON, but the leap - the flip - and gone.... gets ya - - - wanting to come back for more!
Glutton for punishment. Coming up empty on my first Pineview outing makes me want to - spend more time on that water - getting to know it! Seeing your continuing collection of fat cats from Willard, then finding skunk - what am I gonna do? Go waste another afternoon floating the north end...
Maybe in a year or so you'll see my ad in the paper for a boat and a boat-load of fishing gear on KSL classifieds.
[cool][#0000ff]I hope you realize I was just funnin' on ya. We all have "our days" and even when we are supposed to know what we are doing we can still blow it from time to time. I definitely get in my share of "whiffin the strike" and making "long line releases". It's all part of the game. But it is a game of percentages. The goal is to keep improving and that only comes with practice...the right kind of practice...like any sport or any other pursuit for that matter.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Over my years in business I have collected a lot of homely homilies and wise words that serve as aids to rationalizing problems or unsuccessful attempts.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Babe Ruth was a good example of success vs failure. In the years he set records for home runs he also set records for strikeouts. But fortunately we remember him more for the home runs. The idea is that unless you keep trying you will not hit as many home runs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]"We succeed in direct proportion to the number of times we keep trying...after failing and then trying again." (or something like that)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]"Don't look at failure as FAILURE...but only as the opportunity to practice your performance and techniques" (apologies to Tommy Hopkins)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sorry if my posting successful fishing reports gives you a "complexion"...or whatever. I try to insert enough info and technique in there to provide assistance to others who would like to be more successful themselves. What I can't put into the reports are the years of accumulated understanding and "muscle memory" that contribute to my own success. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am humbly proud of the skills I have developed and I am properly grateful for the good days I have on the water. I post my reports not to be boastful but to give encouragement to those who begin to doubt that there really are fish in some of those waters...or that they can be caught. Many times it is something relatively simple but anglers are often discouraged because they either don't know or completely ignore some of the most basic concepts.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The best I can suggest is to remain a lifelong student of fishyology and to soak up whatever you can...from all sources. Then, just like a giant display board the little lights in your mental database will come on...one at a time...as you add things to your personal knowledge collection. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The only problem is that you might wear out your mind and body...with age...before you get your board lit up. Happened to me. T[/#0000ff][#0000ff]he lights is on but ain't nobody home. I be fishin'.[/#0000ff]
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Quote:[#0000ff]gives you a "complexion"[/#0000ff]
No worries. I fully detected you
wedged firmly in your cheek. Honestly - it's quite the opposite. I find your posts and various responses inspirational. I must confess I model some of my posts and photo-ops after your example. Biggest compliment I got on a post was someone saying it was analogous to one of your posts (does that make me a copy-cat?) The way I see it - you've demonstrated how a post SHOULD be made, thus I follow your lead.
I've had some good days where I just couldn't miss. Even landed a Musky on light tackle - that was a big personal score! Using the drag, yeah baby. I've had days on this same water from my boat with lots of hookups, a few flipoffs, but boated upwards of 20 fish in a couple hours between two of us.
But then I get this day from the shore - flip after flop. Hooked up a half dozen in an hour, and lost each and every one. So leaves ya questioning, "what am I doing wrong".
I must applaud all the response. Hell I didn't even have a photo - and got more feedback on a silly question that a successful venture post.
And Pat - your posts are boastful, but rightfully so. I don't mean that in a bad way - you clearly have put the time into developing a technique - not to mention the cavalcade of arms and utilities you create to advance your successful attacks on our slimy, scaly friends from down under.
Someday I'd love to wonder at the glitters of your emporium. Maybe I'll have to pick up a tube/toon and "join the club". In the meantime - I'll keep my feet dry, and nose to the wind.
Like I say - a swing and a miss just leaves me itching for the next pitch. There is something addictive about that adrenalin rush of "fish on". Just have to turn back to my "tried and true" fishing holes to rebuild my confidence before adventuring off to new waters, and unknown encounters. Part of the fun of it all.
[cool][#0000ff]Well, if it makes you feel any better, I just got home from Starvation (see report). And I have to admit it was one of the more frustrating days I have had in a while too. Must be a change of seasons.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Today I hooked and lost at least 8 fish before finally putting the net under one. And then it was about one in three after that...with quite a few "hit and run" smacks with no hookset.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yep. Happens to all of us. But it never hurts to ask for the input from others...even if the replies get a bit snarky.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]SNARK SNARK.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]PS...thanks fer the kindly comments.[/#0000ff]
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