My beginners luck has worn off. I made my 4th trip out to the ledge in my boat on monday 5/30 and only got 1 phin in the boat. First off I got a late start and didn’t leave the dock until 7:15 am. We had lines in the water around 10am. The first 4 phins came unglued. After lot of swearing I realized that I was slowing the boat down right after the strike. I know, I am a idiot. Anyway, we did get the next fish in the boat and missed another after that. We still had a blast but wish we could have brought a few more in.
Can you guys let me know of any other reasons for loosing fish right after the strike. Dull hooks??? not trolling fast enough??
One thing a lot of people like to do (and I found myself doing) is pick the rod up once a fish hits . . . usually ole rodney (the rod holder) can hook fish better than anyone in the boat. Try to resist the temptation to pick the rod up when a fish hits it. Even if you have to drop back, do it with the rod in the holder.
Other than that, keep speed while the fish hit, and don’t clear anymore lines then you have to, a lot of double hook ups come with a fish in the water. Good look to you and the rest of your season.
If you are trolling with skirted ballyhoo, are you using a stinger hook? I usually put a treble hook with wire onto the main hook, this really helps with them NOT getting off. That’s what works for me.
Don’t slow the boat. You drag should be set tight enough on the troll just to not let line go out. Once the drag starts singing you might try bringing the drag up to your strike setting or the max drag you have for the line on your reel. Most people set the strike/max drag at about 1/3 the line lbs. It will depend on your reels though
The above will set the hook. A stinger is a good idea or a comstock 2 hook rigg.
I am sure Scouting for giggles has a different answer.
J hooks work about the best for dolphin, but with circle hooks, you very seldom loose a fish that is hooked, but it takes a little practice and patience to use them properly. Best bit of advice, NEVER let the line go slack, the fish will be gone most of the time.
It sounds like maybe you’re saying you were having short strikes. Short strikes are something the just plain happen sometimes–especially with dolphin. Small dolphin can give you a fit with it sometimes. If you’re quick on the rod and drop it back to them as soon as that happens (free-spool with just enough thumb to keep the spool from going wild), they’ll come right back and take the bait again most of the time. I can’t tell you how many fish we’ve caught after dropping back on a short strike–or even a hook pull–over the years.
Other than that, sometimes it’s better not to break the troll, but you actaully can slow down after a strike if you want; you just have to be careful about it and do it slowly enough and in sync with the man on the rod so that you don’t let the fish gain slack or make a run toward the boat. A lot of new guys, when manning a rod, don’t keep enough tension on the fish and enough bend in the rod. Some will pump the rod and lose fish that way. Others will just not be in touch with what the fish is doing and react quickly enough to keep the tension and proper angle on him. That’s where you have to keep an eye on the rod, the rod man, and the fish, and make throttle and helm changes accordingly. You also want to keep your angler facing the fish–anything and everything to keep the tension between the spool and the fish solid, uncompromised, and most of all, STEADY and consistent.
I’m always reminding people to keep their rods bent. I also like for the rods to remain somewhere around a about a 45 degree angle most of the time during a fight. That way if the rod man needs to take up line quickly (e.g., the fish runs at the boat), he can pull up and has more control. Don’t let the rod tip get staight up in the air. That’s how a lot of fish are lost. The guy pumps the rod, takes a pause while the rod is high, and loses the fish when the rod tip is high and the fish lunges forward or turns. Sometimes, a guy will get worn out and stop reeling–another prime time for a lost fish,
Good advice. A stinger hooked in the bait right will not hurt the swimm but there is the chance of a wild fish in the boat and extra Hook will be an issue.
We like to have the fish box open when the fish comes on board so an easy swing put him in the box. And then close it and get the hook out when the fish is calm.
I do not use stingers but some do and you asked about that concept.
You are in the right track. Even a single hook is danger in a wild fish. Get them in the box quick. More times for a high five. Good luck and good fishing.
Roger all of that. Definitely. In my case, the leather shoes (“Docksiders” were the thang back then) just made a pretty wrapper for my meat-hooked foot and didn’t save my leg. The hook went through the shoe. Nevertheless, shoes is better than no shoes in a cockpit, and I’ve always worn them and ask others to if they start wanting to go barefoot. Most people think I’m overcautious with stuff like that, though. I’m not. I’ve just seen some bad crap.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
The hook went through the shoe. Nevertheless, shoes is better than no shoes in a cockpit, and I’ve always worn them and ask others to if they start wanting to go barefoot. Most people think I’m overcautious with stuff like that, though. I’m not. I’ve just seen some bad crap.