Streamer Fishing (summer Farmington TMA)

**Brookie** · 07-07-2008, 05:01 PM

[quote author=alanb_ct link=topic=1872.msg13165#msg13165 date=1215458408]

I land most of those fish, especially after Aaron corrected my rod angle and tension during the fight. When fish hit the larger, heavier anchor patterns, I think landing percentage decreases.

[/quote]

Alain et al -

Would you care to expand a bit more about what you feel is the correct rod angle to hold when fighting a bigger sized fish? How do you vary the rod angle relative from how far away the fish is from you? Is side pressure important or is it one of those things that everyone says to do, yet maybe is a myth? I've heard arguments that go both ways and I've also heard that if you try to keep your rod angle working to oppose the direction the fish is heading in, you can actually loosen the hook by doing so.

Thanks -

Dave

alanb_ct · 07-07-2008, 05:32 PM

I still struggle sometimes, but the first rule is to get downstream of a big fish. Fighting the brute upstream is the way to go. In this case, hold the rod mostly vertical and then apply side pressure right before landing the fish to ease it in to the net. The fish that runs downstream is the real challenge. I have found that holding the rod at about 10 o'clock works for me, so the rod is pointed slightly downstream, but still has enough upwards force to stay the hook point.

The next concern is to keep a big bend in your rod, especially with the longer rods. You must keep maximum tension. Finally, Aaron taught me not to automatically get the fish on the reel, as I used to, this distracts you from the battle. Instead, use the reel only after the fish has itself pulled the slack from your hand. I hope this helps...I still lose plenty of nice ones-especially on the super fast takes when nymphing the fast water!

Remember that after a fish is hooked, its first instinct is to head for safe holding water. This is why they always head for the tail out. When they are swimming downstream, you actually have a good angle for keeping the point in, but eventually, they always turn upstream and then your same pressure will yank the hook from its mouth. Your goal is to pull the hook in to the fish's mouth. When they jump, go nuts and change directions (Housy rainbows), there is no good angle!

The same angles you use for fighting a fish, you use for hooking a fish. The downstream hook set is always best. If you are casting a rusty spinner upstream to a big brown in a tail out, simply lifting the rod accomplishes the same angle.

**Nymphmeister** · 07-07-2008, 07:29 PM

Brookie-

You opened a whole can of worms with the fish playing questions.

-Side pressure works if the fish is relatively close to you, say 30 feet or closer. Beyond that I usually keep my rod up, esp. on a snaggy bottomed river like the Housy, it helps keep your line clear of rocks/snags on the bottom.
-I try to stay across from the fish or even below it, but of course that's not always possible. The toughest situation is being in the middle of fast water and having a big trout or steelhead below you fighting it's hardest.
-If a big fish makes a sudden run, I instantly drop the rod while simultaneously taking my hand off the reel to reduce tension.
-The harder the fish pulls, the less pressure you should put on them.
-Play them hard when they aren't doing anything, put some real pressure on them at that moment.
-Hook your rig up to a scale some time and pull on it, you will find that you are exerting a fraction of the pressure you think you are. Fish most commonly break off due to sudden jerks on the line, abrasion, or bad knots.
-Side pressure applied carefully will strongly influence where the fish goes, even a big one. If you swing your rod low & towards the bank, you can get the fish out of the main current by applying steady pressure.
-I've learned to back way off on applying pressure when a big trout is thrashing around on the surface, I lost many in years past by twisting the hook out then.
-Keeping your rod butt at about a 90 degree angle to your line while playing fish is a good balance between being able to apply pressure while absorbing shocks too.
-Play around with different rod angles & positions during the fight to see what works best, it can change from moment to moment, esp. as your relative position to the fish changes. This can also confuse the fish and bring the fight to a conclusion sooner, sort of "breaking their spirit".
-The closer you can stay to the fish the better, it gives you far more control over them. I see far too many people willingly let a fish get way below them- the worst of both worlds. Then you have both the current & distance conspiring against you. I see steelheaders do this all the time. Very stupid!

**BLACKGHOST1** · 07-08-2008, 04:26 PM

"I've learned to back way off on applying pressure when a big trout is thrashing around on the surface, I lost many in years past by twisting the hook out then."

Nymphmeister, this is the no. 1 problem I am having with the trout throwing the hook. The big trout thrashing around on top and then the hook pulls out, it usually happens within about 15 or 20 seconds or so. The next most frequent problem is after the fish settles down and starts making the run downstream, even though I start pursuing them and sometimes get even with them the hook will pull out. I will have to remember to back off on the pressure when they are thrashing on top. Thanks for posting what you have learned from your experiences with streamer fishing over the years.

Loren, or anybody else: What type of instrument do you use to sharpen your hooks with? Is there a technique to it?. I have a small file and just run the hook back and forth on both sides of the hook holding it on a slight angle. I do this until the hook sticks in my fingernail.

alanb_ct · 07-08-2008, 07:53 PM

Regarding files, I have a Dr. Slick one with a built-in V-groove and two different grits. I just run the hook point in the groove, first in the coarse grit then the fine. This seems to improve the point to a degree, but I never do it as much as I should.

**LorenWilliams** · 07-08-2008, 09:16 PM

I file on 3 edges to get it as scary sharp as I can (when I remember). Fish throwing long streamer hooks is an issue. I think you'll see a difference with a loop knot.

**BLACKGHOST1** · 07-09-2008, 07:28 AM

Thanks Alain and Loren. I will start using the loop knot.

**SlowNDeep** · 07-11-2008, 11:09 PM

Switching to the 8089 hook and exclusively using a loop knot to my large streamers has improved my take, hook-up, and landing ratios significantly.

I use the Tiemco ceramic hook sharpener, it's the best I have used.