Ugly Stick Help Please

[norcal1980]

I have recently gotton back into fishing alot after a couple years of not much fishing. Last week i bought a 4'6" ugly stick ultra light action rod and have lost more fish with this rod than I have in my whole life. I stream fish for pan size rainbow trout with the occasional lunker rainbow from the bank. The problem im having is as soon as the fish hits the lure and I attempt to set the hook, about 4 out of 5 times the fish will jump out of the water and spit the hook. Or I will think the hook is set and mid way through the fight the fish jumps and spits the hook. The only reason I can come up with is because of the ultra lite action on the rod it is so flimsy it doesn't do a good job of setting the hook. Im thinking about getting a new rod but im not sure what I should get. Im leaning towards another ugly stick only this time it will be either another ultra lite action only 5 foot intsead of 4'6", or a 4'8" light action ugly stick, rather than ultra lite, that will be a little stiffer. Any suggestions would be great, losing all these fish is making my fishing trips suck
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[gdn443]

I agree the problem is the tip. I use a medium tip for my popper rod with 6lb line. I'll lose a few due to the small hooks, but most get to the boat.
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[davetclown]

that is vary posible. some of the guys I fish with have pratice that I cant help but to laugh every time I see it.

they have a masive yank with thier rod to set the hook, I swear it looks like they are snagging or trying to rip the mouths out of them fish.

I on the other hand decided to use a different method. I change hooks. I find octopus and circle hooks to be the trick of setting the hooks with out having give your self whiplash.

their disign makes setting the hooks a snap because the point is off center of the rest of the hooks unlike triditional hooks where the point is parrell to the shaft.

I started that pratice over 30 years ago when I was loosing a fair percentage of gills, so I started bending my snell hooks. then soon after I found that the octopus and circles already had that design incorporated in.

so dont throw your ugly stick away just yet.

and be sure to keep a hook sharpener on hand to keep your points sharp.
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[norcal1980]

Thank you very much for the pointer! Im definitely looking into some better/sharper hooks. I use mainly kastmaster spoons which are a great lure but the hooks tend to be a little dull. Also looking into picking up a hook sharpener...the next step will be learning how to use it...lol. Thanks again!
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[norcal1980]

Thanks for the help! Definitely thinking about picking up a heavier action rod.
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[davetclown]

the best hook sharpener is a honeing stone that is a couple inches long, triangle shaped with groves down the lenth.

I use owner hooks when ever posible.
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[Tarpon4me]

I don't sharpen hooks, I replace them. The only exception for me is my larger hooks I use in saltwater.

Be mindful you don't get a rod that has too quick an action. The limberness of the rod helps to obsorb the shock of the fish jumping, running, and shaking it's head. A more limber rod would allow you the use of stiffer braid, or a heavier mono with less give. There is a balance between rod, line, and tactics.

And just a note, when a rod says: ultra light, medium, medium heavy, etc..... That is not refering to the action of the rod, which is a totally different thing; it's refering to the "power" of the rod. The action refers to the limberness or stiffness of the rod, as in, how quickly the rod tip returns to it's original position. So, what you're looking for is a medium action rod, but still in an ultra light power class. []
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[davetclown]

lets not forget the lenth of your rod. Ya size is everything..

longer rods make hook setting a lot easier.

take a look at fly rods. if they would be clasified in to action scale they would be called sonic. These rods whip and bow at the flick of the wrist. Guys take these rods and chase after fish 3 times the line's test class. Here in michigan 2lb line for up to 6-8lb trout and 6lb line for 15-20lb salmon.

the only rod is that is faster than a fly rod is a noodle rod used for ice fishing.

Two reasons for hook sharpening on my end is because most of my hooks cost any where from a buck and a half up to 3 bucks.. the other is reason is the time involved, 3 or 4 hits on a hook stone dose the job faster than you can tie on a new one.

this works especialy well if you get in to a hot lure of the day and dont want to change out.

I will retire a hook after a hundred fish tho. [cool]
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