Fighting a big fish on light tippet

[alanb_ct]

Now that dry fly season is on, I am looking for some advice regarding fighting a big fish with lighter (5X and smaller) tippets. The past few outings I have had several fish go downstream on me. My strategy has always been to run downstream when possible, to keep the fish upstream of me during the fight. This probably works 2 out of 3 times, but sometimes you can't catch up. As soon as the fish hangs downstream, the hooks pops out or the tippet breaks. I have also had fish hug the bottom and become immovable all together. On rare occasions, fish will run upstream, especially fish intent to jump (rainbows) or foul-hooked fish. Low water complicates all this, since a hooked fish has nowhere to go. I usually present my dries across or across and down. I have tried changing the angle of pressure without much luck.

What do you recommend? Do you know a method to turn a big fish?

[Silentstkr]

I had the same problem this past weekend with 5X. Any info would be helpful.

[trout5]

Boys, not all fish can be put in the net or can be brought to hand. We will never master the universe, but it will always find subtle ways to humble us....

[trout5]

My apologies to anyone offended by my response. It has already been modified but I'm sorry to anyone who may have read it and found it disagreeable.

[Night Angler]

this is what I have learned about landing a big fish...


Keep it short... the less line you have out the better... Try to get them on the reel FAST!!!
Yes this is hard to do when you have a big fish on... the key is to follow it.
The burst of energy from a fish (say over 8lbs) is short in may last about 30-50 yards and start to slow down ... if you are not there with a "tight" line... the hook will come out..

next the longer the battle goes (the fish on the hook)... the better chance you have to land the fish.... so let it run... that may confuse some but yes the trick is to play the fish.... on the reel

next... very important.....
ALWAYS... ALWAYS... keep the tip of rod just above eye level...
When most people hook a big fish... the rod is straight up in the air for everyone to see.... keep the tip low... you NEVER what you rod over 45degree angle with a big fish... the backbone in the rod itself will dislog the hook... or break the tippet

next.... to turn a big fish...
this is where most of your breaks off will happen...
after the big runs and the fish is wearing down... if he starts to the left.. lower you rod to about the waist (or just above).... to the left... keep the slightest bit a pressure on it... this will "guide" the fish to that side.. (but watch and be ready for a run).... If these big fish catches a glimpse of you standing there... Another run will happen.... if the fish turns... and heads down... do the "Rainbow".... from hip... over head (keep it at eye level).. back down to the other hip.... during this, try not to let him take line... you will be unable to stop him.. he now hows built up speed again.. and you will have to follow..


Finally...
If you are fishing with someone... ask for help in netting the fish...
BUT.... Make sure they know how to...
if they are not sure on how to net a big fish.. then banking the fish is the best bet... if you get the fish in shallow water and it starts to roll to the side... you have him... but watch you footing... and be ready.. if this fish see you he may make a run... but having him in the shallows allows you to get to him quicker....


NEVER... NEVER... try to land a big fish with you rod tip high in the air...
THIS WILL CAUSE A BREAK OFF!!!!

try to bring him closer to you with your rod to the side...this sometimes causes them to go right to the net


This are not facts... Just what I have learned about catching the big'uns

Hope this helps..

Leonard

[JUICE]

That's absolutely incredible info. Great read. Appreciate all the insight.

[SlowNDeep]

[quote author=Night Angler link=topic=542.msg3396#msg3396 date=1178818007]
....next... very important.....
ALWAYS... ALWAYS... keep the tip of rod just above eye level...
When most people hook a big fish... the rod is straight up in the air for everyone to see.... keep the tip low... you NEVER what you rod over 45degree angle with a big fish... the backbone in the rod itself will dislog the hook... or break the tippet

.....[/quote]

While I agree with most everything in the above post, I must disagree with the quoted statement.

First, It is almost akways true that when someone says always, they are wrong.

There are lots of very good GENERAL rules and the above is one of them.

That said, as with most rules, there comes a time when rules are to be broken. Specifically, if you're fishing the Hous (or any very rocky river) and a fish has gotten far away from you, you most often should be keeping your rod tip high, UNTIL you get close enough to the fish to reasonably begin fighting it again. Then, follow the rules above. If the fish is far away from you, you want to prevent your tippet and line from getting hung up on rocks, this can be very diffucult to do wothout keeping your rod tip high - IMHO.

[alanb_ct]

Thank you for this excellent information! I hope to be able to put it in to practice soon. In the low water we have on the Farmington right now, even landing a 2 or 3 pound fish is a challenge. I am also trying to use longer tippets of heavier material, for example three feet of 5X instead of two feet of 6X and so on. Thanks again.