What's Up With All The "Missed" Fish?....
- Thread starter Seafever
- Start date
The big ones ALWAYS get away. Didn't you know that? If you read everyone's post it's quite funny they catch a couple but the ones that got off were always bigger then the ones landed. That's just fishing/fishermen for you. Catch a scrappy 15lbr and it's a 15 lbr. Have a scrappy 15 lbr shake your hook before you get a good look and all of a sudden you lost a hog.
So what is everyone doing wrong? Playing by the rules barbless hooks don't help. It's early season maybe some are out of practice. The rest is just fishing nobody lands them all and chinooks are smart they always have an escape plan.
So what is everyone doing wrong? Playing by the rules barbless hooks don't help. It's early season maybe some are out of practice. The rest is just fishing nobody lands them all and chinooks are smart they always have an escape plan.
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
Lol - ya its amazing how many guys are losing 30+lb fish but only able to land the 12-16lbers. After all the years I've fished I'm convinced that the average salmon fisherman has no idea what a 30lb fish looks like. Countless times I've seen people claiming 30lb+ when the fish is clearly low 20s.
scott craven
Well-Known Member
I find I'll go through periods where almost every hookup lands a fish, and other times they start spitting the
hook and I'm lucky to land one at all.
I think barbless hooks have something to do with it, although i remember losing fish years ago with barbed hooks as well.
It really depends on how the fish gets hooked.
If you get a good hook set in the corner of the mouth, or in the tongue they usually come in.
hook and I'm lucky to land one at all.
I think barbless hooks have something to do with it, although i remember losing fish years ago with barbed hooks as well.
It really depends on how the fish gets hooked.
If you get a good hook set in the corner of the mouth, or in the tongue they usually come in.
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Foxsea
Well-Known Member
We fished last week and boated 12 in 2 days. Granted, smaller springs ~8 - 15#. We lost only one to a seal that took us for a good, 20 minute ride right to the beach.
My opinion only but this routine works for us on the big fish, too:
Yes - sharp hooks. And always be watching the rod for action.
2) good line and leader. Check your knots and line after every hook-up.
3) reel down and set hook hard on hook-up. Back off...
4) make sure the drag is backed off a bit. More near the boat, where the fish has the advantage.
5) I know, but I'll say it anyway - tip up. Let the rod do it's work. Use soft hands: no horsing.
6) helmsman works with you on keeping the fish on the quarter. Moves away from the beach and the rodeo.
7) get the other gear cleared away, downrigger clear on the agreed landing side (subject to change).
8) after the fish has done it's runs, keep it's head under water. Walk it back. Talk to the net-man.
9) net is ready, in the water, moving onto the slab's nose. Calm and fluid motion - do not stretch, stab, spear, splash or do other goofy she-at with that net.
10) When the fish is in, roll and lift in the water. Remove from the water with the net hoop to the deck.
BONK.
Foxsea
Well-Known Member
Here's my buddy Dave's 38# for example - taken at Meare's Bluff in July, 2010
Any more examples for reference?
scott craven
Well-Known Member
Here's a 35 from a few years ago...
trendsetter
Active Member
Lately it's been actually getting a fish to bite not whether or not I can land the damn things!
I find the majority of lost fish on my boat are caused by letting the tension off the line when the fish runs at the boat. Other than that they "usually" make it to the boat. A barbless hook stays in just as well as a barbed hook if you have the line tight and don't let the fish have any slack.
I found that my landing rate on my 10.5' fenwick rod is higher than on my 8.5' daiwa rods. I think because it's easier with the longer rod to keep tension if the fish makes a run at the boat.
I find the majority of lost fish on my boat are caused by letting the tension off the line when the fish runs at the boat. Other than that they "usually" make it to the boat. A barbless hook stays in just as well as a barbed hook if you have the line tight and don't let the fish have any slack.
I found that my landing rate on my 10.5' fenwick rod is higher than on my 8.5' daiwa rods. I think because it's easier with the longer rod to keep tension if the fish makes a run at the boat.
NautiGirl
Well-Known Member
Bringing on the spring rookies and rusty fishermen to help/have some fun on the water. Buddies who "help" but get in the way, steer into other boats, can't work a downrigger/net/boat/etc are always helpful in landing fish. I always need more patience in the spring as I try to do my annual retraining of my fairweather boating friends. Good help is hard to find.
I have a good supply of friends who can't even reliably read my chartplotter/sounder combo and swear we are at a good depth with the cannonballs, when we are actually about to hit bottom/rocks/obvious stuff. WTF? Constant babysitting....I am no expert, but the basics are good to have.
I might be interested in fishing with some more experienced fishermen off the Oak Bay and Victoria side this year. PM me if interested. It would make fishing a bit more relaxing.
I have a good supply of friends who can't even reliably read my chartplotter/sounder combo and swear we are at a good depth with the cannonballs, when we are actually about to hit bottom/rocks/obvious stuff. WTF? Constant babysitting....I am no expert, but the basics are good to have.
I might be interested in fishing with some more experienced fishermen off the Oak Bay and Victoria side this year. PM me if interested. It would make fishing a bit more relaxing.
Foxsea
Well-Known Member
Here's my buddy Dave's 38# for example - taken at Meare's Bluff in July, 2010
View attachment 4113
Any more examples for reference?
Here's a 36# - same place:
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
Looks like Poppa Swiss ruffled a few **** feathers LOL.
heh - don't take me my post too seriously, just messin around. Clearly the the posts above are REAL tyees. There's a few guys claiming they recently lost fish of that size off sooke, but I dunno maaaaann.
Foxsea
Well-Known Member
It's all good - just braggin' lol - no pics: it didn't happen!
but it does seem a bit early for big fish to me, too.
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
those fish are worth bragging about, nice pigs!
mr killer
Active Member
I get kick out of this heard a guy at whalebone on saturday claiming they just lost a 30 at the net. just was thinking sure you did
spring fever
Well-Known Member
You want braggin rights on Spring Fever-gotta go on the scale!!!!
Drewski Canuck
Active Member
If you want more fish in the boat, barbed hook or barbless, TRY A CIRCLE HOOK!!! go 4/0 - 5/0 on a good VMC or Eagleclaw. Use it on a spoon, a hootchie, bait, etc. You will get fish in to be weighed, and you will only lose on a break off or a snag on the net.
Drewski
Drewski
Kristo
Active Member
Slack line is the largest cause of lost fish....barbless hooks fall out when there is slack.
When setting up I set the release clip to a firm position on the line and wind down until there is a really good bow in
the rod ....almost enough to release the clip... no or very few pop offs.
Not enough tension and the resulting slack will allow the hook to fall out.
Consistantly check the tension on your reels ...especially if you change speed or the angle on the wire changes.
When setting up I set the release clip to a firm position on the line and wind down until there is a really good bow in
the rod ....almost enough to release the clip... no or very few pop offs.
Not enough tension and the resulting slack will allow the hook to fall out.
Consistantly check the tension on your reels ...especially if you change speed or the angle on the wire changes.
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