Post By: Haas3 Posted: 7/22/2012 9:09:32 PM Points: 12
I have a question for everyone out there. I was out fishing at Jefferson lake all weekend in my float tube. I was jigging white tubes tipped with sucker meat. Marking the fish with a fish finder and dropping down to that depth. I did catch a few macks, but my question is are they always very difficult to hook, or was I doing something wrong? I would feel the hit, or heavyness on my line, set the hook as hard as I could, and 8 out of 10 times I would miss the fish, or it would be off in about 2-4 seconds. Almost as if the hook wasnt penatrating. I was thinking maybe I need to fish with a stiffer rod when going after the macks at those depths? I am not sure, but I figured someone out there may have some tips.
Yes, they are generally difficult to hook in deep water. A good majority of the fish are under 20", so there isn't really enough resistance to bury the hook good. Plus, depending on what weight head your'e fishing, that makes it difficult also, all that weight swinging around in their face makes it easy to throw it. That why some people dont pump the rod after the hookset.
Reply by: Haas3 Posted: 7/23/2012 7:33:56 AM Points: 12
Thanks for the insight guys. I guess it is that way for everyone. I just wasnt used to missing so many fish. lol. I am going to give the stiffer rod a try next time and see if that helps to stick em a little harder.
Reply by: CO_Native Posted: 7/23/2012 8:08:20 AM Points: 161
Are you using a regular rod? On my 'toon I use ice rods for more control, as well as braided line, tipped with about 10-12' of flouro to minimize the stretch. Also- sharp, sharp hooks!
Reply by: esme Posted: 7/23/2012 10:49:21 AM Points: 0
Were you using Braided? Braided line, that is the key, the 20 Lb cattegory that is the diameter of 6Lb mono. You won't beleive the difference. If you haven't used, get help with putting it on your reel. You may want to have the store do it.
Can you attach braid to flouro/mono using a blood knot? I have often wondered this. I have only fished the 30 lb braid/ 8 lb diameter for cats and tied the braid directly to the hook. I wanted 300 yards but they don't give you that. For cats, no backing is needed. That light 30 lb braid went down the same as 15-20 lb mono!
I caught and landed a beaver at the Kettle Lakes on that 30 lb braid! Ha, ha. Seriously!
They have very hard mouths. You need a good rod with a solid backbone and a fast tip to drive that hook home and never look back. Any slack from here on out is a chance to lose the fish. No babying.
Braid helps too since it does not stretch--thus improving the connection and helping that all-important hook set.
What works for me is that as soon as I feel the "heavyness on my line" or any resistance, I will crank down on my reel and set the hook like I'm bass fishing. I can feel my line coming taught as I crank down on my reel. Then I crank them up fast giving no slack for them to shake weight jig head. When they get within 30' or 20' of the surface they figure it is time to make a run so you can play them as they dive again.
Jigging macs can be hard at first. It takes time to be able to set the hook and bring the fish up.All of the info that you were given is good, Braid with a flouro or mono leader helps. A little stiffer rod can help too. Always check your hooks. If the hook slides accross your finger nail , it needs to be sharpened. With all that in place, it still takes time to consistenly hook em. Don't be discouraged, everyone has problems hooking and keeping them on at first but it will get better. With their hard mouths, I don't think you can set the hook to hard.
After chasing these beasts all summer, I would only add one thing: If you are jigging deeper than 60 FOW, set the hook hard and set it again as you get the fish up some. Even with the braid and a stiff rod, its difficult to get the sharpest of hooks through that lip. After they have come up 20 or 30 feet, there is less resistance and a great chance to bury the hook. I lost quite a few fish after bringing them halfway to the boat before learning that little "trick".
Good point itchyreelfinger, I do that ice fishing but in the boat I haven't had the problem with them getting off on the way up. I will double set from now on though. It can't hurt, that's for sure.
It will hurt if you give the fish any slack for the second set....in this case it isn't a second set, but a tug when there is tension on the line in the first place. minor difference but if you give slack to a fish they will come off more often than not.
People also tend to set the hook again, then have their rod high and instead of reeling back down to the fish drop the rod first creating slack.
Another way is to set the drag really tight and reel the fish hard pulling that line into the fish. don't reel through the drag though.
