So im fishing a river with alot of action using rapalas, Im reeling very slowly, as this produces more bites. Regardless of lure size, I seem to miss alot of hookups and Alot of the time I see the fish mouth the lures and dont feel anything. I did try to wait for the feel of the hit, but alot of the time I wouldnt even feel it and they would swim away. I watched two 20 inch sized fish hit it, with me pulling it right out of their mouths. Maybe I should have been more patient with one of them and wait for a tug but i missed the one before it, and didnt wanna miss another. I also got alot of hard bites, with no hook ups. What are some things I could try to up my chances? As a side note, I have fished this area the last few months, and certain days it seems harder to hook up, then others, But lately its been alot harder and the bigger fish are finally showing up again.
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Tie a buck tail on the end treble hook, it worked for me with small river fish, scented too,
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Maybe try putting your finger on the line close to the top of the cork on the rod. It provides more realistic action too the lure as well you can see your line flipping around to give it a little slack that creates more motion too the lure as well you can feel the fish hit it then relying on how the rod bends.
Toss your lure close too you and just watch how realistic the lure gets. Even on big spoon lures make amazing movements.
Hope this little tip helps you catch more fish. I used this technique a lot when I use to go bass fishing with a regular rod and made a big difference of how many I caught each day.
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Example .......
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Thank you both! Ill give both idea's a try tommorrow! And ill let you know how it goes! I
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Ya no problem. Hope you catch a nice hog and post a pic on here [
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All of the above, but also if you see one follow it..stop and lightly jig the lure. I know jigging a rapala sounds wierd, but I've had lots of success catching ones that follow it to the bank like that.
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Maybe keep your arms away from your body and the rod somewhat perpendicular from the lure. That way, as you reel, your line will stay tight and any hits will transmit through the rod better, then you'll have a good angle to jerk back for the hook set.
(And you've got to hold your mouth just right.[laugh])
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Are your hooks sharp?
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[quote LOAH]
(And you've got to hold your mouth just right.[laugh])[/quote]
Nothing like a good grimace....[
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[quote KingTwistedKidd]So im fishing a river with alot of action using rapalas, ... I see the fish mouth the lures and dont feel anything. I did try to wait for the feel of the hit, but alot of the time I wouldnt even feel it and they would swim away. ... me pulling it right out of their mouths. Maybe I should have been more patient with one of them and wait for a tug ...[/quote]
I can't help with the rapala use. I primarily fly fish. But maybe this can be applied to your style of fishing as well:
Wait for the fish to turn.
It happens all the time -- we see the fish come from behind the fly, it opens it mouth to take the fly. We jerk. We miss.
Wait for the fish to turn.
When that fish opens it's mouth, it is very tempting to be ready to set the hook. Wait. The fish will close it's mouth, and it WILL turn back and head down. That's when you set the hook. Too early, and you pull it out.
So, next time you're out with your rapala, let that fish hit the lure and turn. Then set the hook.
I don't know -- maybe this won't work with a rapala -- but from your description of what's happening, it just sounds to me like you're setting the hook too soon. Don't get too anxious to set that hook. Give it a second longer...
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Thats very solid advice.
A couple other options to look into AFTER you know you have SHARP hooks!
What action is the rod, slow mod or fast? If it's a noodle good luck setting the hook.
Another would to not traditionally set (vertical rod jerk) and just keep reeling and sweep the rod in the opposite direction AFTER the fish has Turned.
The last thought would be to give it a occasional jerk and a long pause followed by a jerk then back to your slow retrieve. Even if you get less action you will get more fish to hand.
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As has been previously posted, the first step to take is to ensure the trebles are sharp. IF the fish are actually biting the crankbait and getting it in their mouth, the only way they won't get hooked more often than not is due to dull hooks.
The other possibility is that the fish are not getting the crankbait in their mouth. Some advocate the use of more limber rods for crankbait use. For a while (not sure if it is still the case), fiberglass rods were the rage for bass crankbaits and spinnerbaits as they had more give and allowed the fish to suck in the bait rather than a stiff rod not allowing them to suck it in.
My bet is that if you make sure you hooks are sticky sharp, your problem will be solved.
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I would switch out my trebles to a sure set wide gap, I have a few rapalas that came with the wide gap hook on the back and I seem to have much more ease in setting hooks and getting a good penetration on all kinds of fish with the wide gap treble. of course, they have to be sharp. if the lure has been in your box for ten years and there is rust on the hooks, you need new hooks. if they are still shiny touch them up with a hook file or a very fine metal file. a few strokes over them with the direction the way it was cut before start from the point and stroke toward the shank of the hook to finish it off to avoid any burls on the cutting edges.
good luck, hope it helps.
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