The one that got away!

Member Joined: Jun 10, 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Winchester

Or rather the 6 that got away!! Visited my fishing spot this morning (those of you have have met me will know its the only spot I go to as I don't know any others - yet) it was low tide and I was into the bass very quickly. I hooked 6 of varying sizes in under an hour but I didn't manage to land a single one. Now this was great sport but very disappointing as I would have loved a close look at one of these lovely fish.
This is my first season of SWFFing and I know there is a lot to learn - but I had hoped to have transferred over some of my 30 years worth of fresh water fluff chucking to this (especially the bit where it comes to landing a fish!!). So any ideas guys as to what is going wrong? I know not to hurry the landing process but there is no danger of that as the longest I seem to be able to keep a fish on is about a minute or much less.
I guess they are not being hooked well so I'm wondering what to do to stop this happening.
Some tips from you 'old hands' out there would be much appreciated.javascript:emoticon(' confused

') Rich

Member Joined: Jun 05, 2009 Posts: 90

On the plus side, at least you're getting the touches. big grin

On the down side, I can't really offer any help as I'm still very much a novice as far as this fishing lark goes. My theories on these things makes sense to me, but a lot of the time the fish just don't get it sad

On that basis, my guesses would centre around hook size, striking technique and line tension on the run. Then again, if I knew what the hell I was talking about I'd be having Bass for dinner tonight instead of trout!

Fear not....our time will come!!!

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:12 pm

Hi Rich, well done on finding some fish, bad luck on not hanging onto them!

Naturally i'd like to help, but without knowing anything about your stripping technique and how you are striking /playing your fish it's very difficult to offer any direct advice. Your obviously an experienced angler and have caught plenty of fish on the freshwater side of things so, without teaching you to suck eggs i thought i might describe my own technique as i too went through a phase early on of, not losing fish while playing them, but bumping a lot of them before i'd had chance to set the hook, but i think it amounts to the same thing perhaps.

First i find that longish steady strips of the line work well, both for making the fly work more smoothly and naturally in the water. Secondly i also find that this helps to set the hook into more fish when they hit the fly, where before my stripping consisted of shorter strokes and probably more erratic in speed too, which caused me to bump off alot of fish. The longer steady strip/stroke facilitates a higher hook up ratio as it works like a strip/strike, if that makes sense. Also a firm grip on the line helps, which goes without saying i suppose, but not easy on wet fly line because when a Bass takes it can be very quick and agressive and they will pull the line back through your fingers if you haven't got a good hold which can result in a lost fish.
I wouldn't have thought playing the fish would be the problem as i'm sure your familiar with that bit of it too from your freshwater background so again i'd be preaching.

I'm sure some of the other guys, like messrs Bassfly and Crapcaster will have some good advice to offer as well, but the above is from my own swffing experiences and i hope it mske sense and is of some use to you.

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:22 pm

Hi,
All i can say is set the hook good n proper with a fierce strip strike.You will always loose fish no matter what.As said your freshwater experience will come into play and you'll soon be landing them.
What spot do you fish then?
Cheers
Simon.

Member Joined: Jun 10, 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Winchester

Thanks for your replies chaps! You are stars for this. Just got to get back at the water and hopefully put your advice into action. (Not too much arm twisting needed for that!!) I will report back on this - cheers again.
Rich happy