Forums36
Topics40,963
Posts557,993
Members18,503
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
1 members (highflyer),
927
guests, and
187
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
|
OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
I usually fish with ultralight gear, 7 foot graphite rod & 4lb line test. Obviously big ones break me off sometimes, especially near cover, but I get lots of action & have brought in five 9 lb plus LMB on this tackle. My biggest was 27 inches, clearly 11 lb plus (we didn't have a scale, though we did get a pic).
But there's a problem: LMB throw the hook, especially when they jump. I try to discourage jumping by sticking the rod under water, keeping the line tight, etc, but still I lose way too many. And these aren't heavy lures, as my favorite is just a simple 1/32 oz jighead with 4 inch worm.
Lately I've wondered if I might be better off trying a slower tip rod that bends more across the entire shaft. Fast action helps me set the hook on light line, but I suspect it also helps the fish throw the lure. I remember using a very slow action noodle type rod years ago and, while being occasionally outgunned in cover, few fish were able to spit the hook.
Any comments or experiences? This is important not so much that I'll catch a biggun, but that I can more efficiently harvest excess bass. Recall that I'm talking ultralight, not heavier gear here.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300
Moderator
|
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300 |
Anthropic, maybe consider the gape of the 1/32 jig, and not the rod. I'm not sure a light wire hook could penetrate the jaw bones, nor would the hook gape be wide enough to get around it and hit just skin. Throwing the jig hook shouldn't be a problem with smaller fish, just larger ones.
Just a thought.
AL
|
1 member likes this:
gehajake |
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
|
OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
Anthropic, maybe consider the gape of the 1/32 jig, and not the rod. I'm not sure a light wire hook could penetrate the jaw bones, nor would the hook gape be wide enough to get around it and hit just skin. Throwing the jig hook shouldn't be a problem with smaller fish, just larger ones.
Just a thought. Perhaps you're right, Al. Oddly, it seems I lose a higher percentage of small, sub 12 inch LMB when they jump than larger fish. I wouldn't really mind that much except I want to get the little guys out!
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
I use jigs and very seldom lose fish but I buy the hooks that are more expensive and have a different angle than the cheapest ones.... wish I could remember the brand and name
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
|
OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
I use jigs and very seldom lose fish but I buy the hooks that are more expensive and have a different angle than the cheapest ones.... wish I could remember the brand and name Let me know, Pat!
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,538 Likes: 844
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,538 Likes: 844 |
When I started fishing for steelhead I used my regular fishing rods, i.e. fast taper. I lost a LOT of fish. Then I went to a much slower taper rod, really soft and I stopped losing fish.
|
1 member likes this:
anthropic |
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
|
OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
When I started fishing for steelhead I used my regular fishing rods, i.e. fast taper. I lost a LOT of fish. Then I went to a much slower taper rod, really soft and I stopped losing fish. Thanks! I'm going to a softer rod & see if it helps.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,538 Likes: 844
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,538 Likes: 844 |
When I started fishing for steelhead I used my regular fishing rods, i.e. fast taper. I lost a LOT of fish. Then I went to a much slower taper rod, really soft and I stopped losing fish. Thanks! I'm going to a softer rod & see if it helps. The rod really feels too "whippy" and it is something that I am NOT used to but I can't argue with the results. I'm using braided line with a 6' fluorocarbon leader too.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 103 Likes: 9
|
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 103 Likes: 9 |
Maybe look into "circle " hooks. They seem to stay in.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 897 Likes: 201
|
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 897 Likes: 201 |
Im with FIH, I cant imagine a 1/32 jig having a hook with enough gape to hook a LMB, especially a bigger one, that had to be some fun landing a 11lb LMB with an ultralite rig.
All the really good ideas I've ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
|
OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
I generally prefer crappie jigs because they have a bigger hook gape. Maybe if I twisted it a bit to the side it would stick better.
Yeah, the 27 incher was a blast. Totally lucked out that she decided to go to the middle to fight, if she'd gone the other way there was nothing I could do to stop her. By far longest LMB fight of my life. Fortunately the water was cool so I was able to revive & release her. My son & I were in a tiny boat so I had to stretch out one leg over the gunwale during the battle, kept worrying the line would get tangled with my shoe & I'd be de-feeted.
Prefer to back reel rather than use drag on bigguns. More control, much less line twist. Sometimes I have to take my hand off the reel handle when they go on a really strong run, but it works fine.
Last edited by anthropic; 04/28/21 05:52 PM.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
The jig heads I use are Eagle Claw 1/16 oz Pro-V Bend hooks from Walmart. PFPV116-3 is the no. Pm me your # and I can send a pix by phone
Last edited by Pat Williamson; 04/28/21 01:58 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
|
OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
Look at the Ducket cranking rod. Like esshup, I fish with braid and floro leader. I use the Alberto knot when tying the two lines together. No 11 lb'er but a 10.8 was landed with this rod. It keeps the fish pinned and it's fun when fighting even smaller lmb. I like the rod so much that I have two of them. You don't need a stiff rod if you are using a braided line. I like the Strike King Bitsy jig as my finesse jig.
Last edited by TGW1; 04/29/21 07:37 AM.
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
|
OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
Thanks, Tracy. Never heard of the Ducket rod, will take a look.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,185 Likes: 44
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,185 Likes: 44 |
Tracy, Thanks for the Alberto knot. I am going to try it. I have been looking for a better knot to tie the leader on to the braided line and this looks like a good one to try.
Brian
The one thing is the one thing A dry fly catches no fish Try not to be THAT 10%
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
Brian, it is the best knot I have found when adding a leader to braid. You can also look at the double alberto and the crazy alberto but I am happy with the first knot mentioned and have not had the line break at any time at the knot.
I love all my Ducket rods and have several of different sizes and from the cranking rod all the way to the stiff one. The brand is not my only make but by far my favorite. The rod I broke at your lake was a St Croy. It did not help that it was rolled up in the elec car window just before I arrived at your place. For those that are interested, that light rod broke when boat flipping a bass. Lucky I had a Ducket with me.
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|