A
alm21
Pole is good. The bite can be so subtle, would be hard to palm the spool on the hook set.I have always used level wind reels so when I set the hook I thumb it down tight. Maybe if you grab the spool for the initial hook set, it will drive the hook deeper. Also, how flexable is your rod? You might want to consider a pole with more backbone. Good luck.
It could be me but I hate to think so but it could be an unlucky streak. In all scenarios I don't think I gave them to much slack. If anything, I may have horsed them a bit but its hard to say, I like to work a fish a little unless they shoot into the bank for me. Tough luck I guess. Trying to see how I can tune my game. It could be poor technique on the initial hook set. I may switch lines just to vet out the issue.the mistake is not in the gear, you sound like your using a good system, you are giving these fish slack... or trying to fight them when you should just let them lead, you might also be not fighting them enough to bank them quickly, there is a sweet spot for banking a fish, too soon they break off, too long they unhook... Im afraid the problem is something you are or are not doing, plus the steel just get off, the solution is to hook more fish, therfore you get to bonk more fish-
Regarding the Fireline, do you use the braided or fused version?on my spinning reels I went with 14lb fireline and my level winds have 30lb tuff line and I have never looked back. the mono in my opinion stretches way to much to get a positive hook set, but thats just my 2 cents and own experience. owners are just as good as any other hook on the market but last year I went to the gama wide gaps and im banking alomost 95% of all hook ups now
Loosing steelhead because the hook just pops out is a very common problem that everyone experiences no matter what gear they use. Steelhead just have an uncanny ability to shake loose and that's one of the reasons why landing 1 is such an accomplishment. I usually always loose at least 1 fish every trip out. Sounds like you got the right gear and are doing the right things to hook up. Just have confidence in your gear & abilities and you will over come this little rough patch your going through. Trust me everybody gose through it. I know it sucks just keep your head up and try wearing a different hat or something.
Misery loves company!i have the same problem..i can't keep a steelhead on my line to save my life! LOL. better to have hooked and lost then never hooked em at all.
If you fight the fish to long it stretches the hole your hook makes in there mouth.
And a lot of people set there drag to lose. I use a electronic fish scale and hook a swivel on my line. Put it on the fish scale. Pull against your reel until it registers to what you want.
I set my 8 lb line at 7.5 lbs- 9 lbs depending on how much my rod absorbs. My lines breaking point seems high for 8 lb test and i have never had a problem from 7.5-9 lbs.
It seems like overkill but i dont like loseing fish, i set it and leave it all year. I have never broke off a fish since i have done this, and having the maxium drag tension produces better hook ups.
Remember, its a battle between you and the fish, he has every advantage, so you have to be as prepared as you can!
That is a good point,braid in the river does suck.But you should never lose ANY braid,unless there is a knot or nick up on the line,braid should break at the terminal knot,or at the leader (use leader that is rated lighter). I havnt lost a fish or a bobber or any braided line since I started using it. I never really understand why I always see 30 yds of line hanging out of trees:think:.Oh and as for the line change...I wouldnt change to braid. The biggest reason i dont like it....if you break off your setup...you have braided line down in your fishing hole. That is never a good obstacle to try and miss. if anything...switch to a heavier mono mainline/leader.
just my 2 cents