Email
Print
Tips for improving bite-to-catch ratio
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: April 16, 2009
Since there are many occasions when anglers lose fish after hooking them, I will mention a few things that might improve your bite-to-catch ratio.
Broken line
Broken line is the number one reason that fish are lost. Inspect the line on the reel before each trip. Look for nicks, rough spots, and abrasions. Cut off any damaged line. Also, check the terminal end of the line after each fish is unhooked. To be certain, cut off any questionable sections and retie after every catch. If the line appears to be opaque, or breaks easily when a knot is tied, replace it. Use the appropriate line strength for conditions. Ten-pound test might be fine in open water, while 20-pound test will work best in heavy cover. If the fish you are after have teeth, use wire leader.
Knots
Carefully tie a hook or lure to your line. The clinch, improved clinch, Palomar, and loop knots are all popular. When properly tied, these knots will withstand the strain of a lunker fish. To prevent unraveling, cinch the line tightly when tying the knot.
Hooks: For a solid hook set, the hook must be sharp. Today's premium hooks are laser sharpened and do not need to be honed before use. Hooks should be small enough for a fish to inhale, but have a wide enough gap (distance between the point and shank) to encompass the jawbone.. The size of the hook should match the size of the bait. A bait too large will not appear natural, and one too small is difficult with a hook up. When fishing for big fish, use baits large enough to look natural when attached to a large hook. Small laser sharp hooks should be used with ultra-light tackle.
Drag
A reel's drag allows line to be pulled from the spool before it stretches to its breaking point. The drag should be tested and set before use, and then reset during the course of a fishing trip. As a rule, set the drag at thirty to fifty percent of the line's breaking strength. Line drag can be tested with a pull scale, but most anglers pull line off the reel and adjust the desired drag tension. When in doubt, it's better to begin with a light drag and tighten, if necessary.
Hook Set
A lot of bites are missed because the angler hasn't developed hook set techniques. Knowing when and how hard to set the hook comes with time and practice. Circle hooks are becoming more and more popular with anglers who use live and cut bait. The circle hook does not require a hook set. Crank, don't yank circle hooks.
Tight lines — no slack
The way a fish is fought can make the difference in whether you catch or lose it. A most important consideration is to keep the line tight at all times. Even the slightest amount of slack can result in a fish slipping the hook. To assure that the line is taut, keep a bow in the rod. When the fish takes drag, let it pull the line. Don't reel when the line is going out. If the fish changes direction and begins to swim toward the boat, reel fast enough to maintain steady pressure. A properly adjusted drag and a bend in the rod work together to wear down the fish.
It is important to note that fishing reels should not be used to winch a fish. Reels are designed to store, release and recover line. The rod, not the reel, is used to pull the fish toward the angler. The procedure for pumping the fish is simple. Slowly lift the rod skyward until the main part of the rod blank is parallel with your chest, slowly drop the rod tip toward the water and use the reel to retrieve the line. If the drag engages, stop reeling. Repeat the process until the fish is a rod length away.
Lead or follow
A fishing rod can be used to lead a fish in the direction you want it to go. This is done by applying upward or sideward pressure to the rod. Most times the fish can be led to swim away from cover or other lines. Keeping a fish under control is important, particularly when it's time to net it. If a fish is putting up a hard fight, it might be wise to let it swim in the direction it wishes to go. The angler should follow it around the boat or up and down the shoreline until it settles down.
Team work
Most fish come straight toward the boat and can be landed without a lot of trouble. But, when the big one hits, everyone should help to assure that it's landed. There are times when the boat must be maneuvered to a better position to fight the fish. To prevent tangling, other lines might need to be reeled in. Teamwork is critical when a fish is being netted or gaffed.
Landing the fish
More fish are lost during the final stages of battle than at any other time. One reason is that there is less stretch in a short line than in a long one. A short line increases the chances of a fish breaking off. Next, a fish usually gets a second wind when it sees the boat or net. A third, and major reason, is due to improper netting. An angler should lead the fish to the net without pulling it from the water. The netter should only attempt to net the fish head first. Trying to net a fish from the tail or side almost always results in a pulled hook or a broken line. And remember, it's not over once the fish is in the net. The angler should immediately let the line go slack to prevent pulling the fish from the net before it is brought on board.
Unhooking the catch
The final step might be easier said than done, particularly if the fish is attached to a lure with two or three sets of treble hooks. Wear gloves to reduce the chances of being caught by a hook or cut by a sharp gill plate or fin. Most freshwater fish don't have teeth, and can be gripped by the lower jaw with the thumb and forefinger. Toothy fish need to be held firmly behind the gills. Be certain the fish is held securely before removing the hook. To avoid another fish tale without proof, take a picture of your catch!
Tips from Capt. Gus
Rubber nets are fish and angler friendly. Rubber webbing doesn't rub the slime and scales from a fish like monofilament and corded nets do. An added benefit is that hooks don't tangle as often in rubber nets.
Upcoming Events:
The Lake Norman Striper Swipers' 28th Annual Spring Classic Tournament will be on April 18-19. For more information, visit www.lnss.us.
A free seminar on "How to Select and Use a Rod & Reel" will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 22. This two-hour session will be conducted by custom rod builder Fran Park, from Good Fortune Custom Rods, and myself. The class is ideal for the entire family. For additional information, call 704-658-0822.
The Hot Spots of the Week:
Bass, striper and white perch fishing is very good. Bass are hitting buzz baits on rip-rap points and stripers are hitting live baits in major creek arms. Crappie fishing remains good over brush piles and around bridge pilings. The water level is currently 2.1' below full pond and the surface temperature is in the 60s.
Capt. Gus Gustafson is licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and a Professional Sport Fishing Guide on Lake Norman. Visit his Web site at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
