Landing big fish through the ice?

[fishluvr]

First off let me know where you are fishing to get such big fish that they are hard to lift up through the ice. Second make sure you have your drag set to the right setting. My brother lost several fish last Saturdat at Scofield because he didn't have his drag set. He had his line break twice and then one of the fish straightened the hook he was using. I would have loved to have seen that fish. Also, don't be afraid to let your pole bend, that is what they are made for. In my limited experience I have lost more fish trying to get their heads up into the hole than I have actually lifting them that final bit onto the ice. Once their heads are into the hole they can only slide straight back down and that is when people put too much tension on the line and have the line snap or lose the hook. I have heard of people using a gaff (? spelling and proper word?) to get the fish once they are in the hole. I have never used one or had the need but I would love to catch a fish big enough through the ice to have the need to use something like that to actually get it up.

Just keep trying and let your rod do the work. The more you try the more fishing you are doing and it is always a good excuse to go fishing to claim you are trying to improve yourself. Good luck.
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