How are you losing the fish? What i mean is...is the fish jumping when it spits the hook? or just in the water fightin hard?
I have been actively fishing for steels for the last 6 to 7 years. I have watched and learned from my cousins whom grew up on the willamette.
They catch a ton of fish...but for everyone they land, they lose 3 to 5. What i have learned watching them...sometimes you win...sometimes you lose. Another thing i have picked up from them, water levels. sounds stupid but if your use to fighting them in shallow(er) water...fighting them in higher water can be completely different/ harder.
The hardest thing to learn is hooking the fish...so you are already on the right track.
just keep after them man, never stop casting. Once you figure out what works best for you...everything will fall into place.
good luck.
keep the line tight,
Dale
Surprisingly, no acrobatics, they are just diving deep and fighting hard. The pig this morning was a tank and was playing me more than me playing him/her. By your statistics, I'm probably doing average Caught 1 lost 3. I guess I'm used to landing more fish and can't help but try to figure out how I can increase my odds.
Im not saying to over think it, but if your like me, when your not fishing your thinking about fishing and how you can improve.
If your drag is to loose and you set your hook, it isn't going to get in there hard jaw far enough. If its to tight and they bolt, snapped line. Why not make sure its perfect?
Yup, when I'm not on the water, I'm thinking about tactics, techniques, where to go, all the above, striving to become better. I can over analyze at times. Reminds me of trying to develop and dial in a golf swing (which I have yet to do - rather be fishing).
Nobody has mentioned hook size. Too small and you often dont get a nice deep hook set,too big and you have to set harder to get good penetration.Experience and good advice will help you figure out what works best for you. When fishing gear I run Gami. oct. size 6thru2 depending on technique and water conditions.Your biggest advantage, imo, is a SHARP hook. If I feel like I didn't get a good solid hookset,I will often give a good "double set" for good penetration,however, if you only had the fish be a little tag of flesh,this may be your undoing.I will always take the risk and hit it hard. Good luck,and remember, when the going gets tough,only the P*ssies go home
I've been using size 1 Owner SSW hooks and some size 2 (running eggs or plastic worm on them). I've contemplated giving it a second hook set because the bite is so settle and usually feels like a rock bump or snag and I'm oftern gun shy of setting the hook too hard when running bait because if it's not a fish, very likely I'll be rebaiting and burning up the bait too quickly (or ducking the incoming weight and hook). As mad as I get and telling myself f*** this, the end result is a relentless drive to succeed and get back at it until I do. My name is Alex and I'm a fishing addict.
Don't over think it or you will just wind up screwing your self. All ya got to do is go out there with a positive attitude and you will be just fine. Heck you already got one this season that's better then a few guys I know. You will get um next time I promise ya.
Agreed, keeping the positive attitude is a must and take my licks in stride.
I wouldn't worry about it. If your hooks are sharp, then sometimes you just go through periods where ya can't keep a fish "pinned"! The next time ya go out you won't lose a fish. It just works that way sometimes???
Basic rule of fighting fish, Only gain line when the fish is turned sideways and resting, but give him his head and let him run when he turns away.
EDIT: One other thing, make sure you are using a high rod and letting the rod work. It's very easy to let the rod drop down some and lose it's effectiveness.
Randy
I like your perspective Randy. So many things running through my head when I have a fish on and it's easy to second guess myself after the fact.
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
I don't disagree but I have to admit that I snag up on other people's mono 90% of the time rather than braid yet I see a ton of people fishing braid. But snagging braid does suck big time.
Yeah you should at least buy some braided and try it out. I use braid to flip spinners and I wont go back now...
I think may try it just to see for myself since my current line is getting low on the spool and is nearing the time to change out anyway.