Author Topic: Do you close your eyes when fishing? (Read 10730 times)

PH · « **on:** March 09, 2011, 06:47:16 PM »

I went to a tackle shop this morning and a guy "Barry" gave me this valuable (and amusing) tip:

When casting and spinning plugs, poppers, etc. always hold the rod upright. (This I know- thanks,
Nico). When the fish strikes, close your eyes and look away and keep on retrieving as before.
If you don't close your eyes, you will over react and strike with the rod resulting in a miss.
The way he illustrated this had me in stitches but it makes perfect sense.

fedu · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2011, 07:43:13 PM »

Maybe I'm out of my way I do not know what you mean with "Saltwater Lure Angling" but if it means what I understand, casting with artificials then shurly not, at least not from boat, visual contact is essencial.

I've seen some "green" guys that I tryed teaching over reacting but dealing with it and "knowing" by the fish movement when to stop or acelerate is essential for enticing bites.

Rods · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2011, 07:50:00 PM »

I can relate to what you saying here PH. On our trip to Linene, 95% of our fishing was with artificials. At first I was missing my fish coz as soon as I saw the fish attacking the lure I would strike. Only after it was explained to me that all that was required was to lift the tip of the rod and continue reeling did my hook up rate rocket.

PH · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2011, 07:54:02 PM »

The point that was being made is that if I (green guy) fishes from a ski without guidance of
an experienced guide at hand, I should not be over excited when a fish bites.

My apologies thatI did not explain that clearly in my first posting.

travelmember · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:11:07 PM »

Upright? Not all the time. You can also pop with the rod held low, and walk the dog, and swing low, and make the circle beeger! As for closing eyes - normally only after I've missed a big fish, and that is normally accompanied by the finest in my limited Afrikaan's vocabulary!

PH · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:13:39 PM »

[quote author=travelmember link=topic=4270.msg50818#msg50818 As for closing eyes - normally only after I've missed a big fish, and that is normally accompanied by the finest in my limited Afrikaan's vocabulary!
[/quote]

fedu · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:45:32 PM »

Sorry PH, not wanting to produce any argument here.

Do it with your eyes wide open you may loose some but you will learn faster.

Also the lure dictates the rod position, ie sub-surface lures I usually point the rod tip down and to one of the sides.

I know it can be anoying to loose fish because you actually pull the lure the moment the fish was attacking but the visual contact is also one of the beatifull things with popping and with fish surface action.

On the other hand a couple of weeks ago I went out with two friends and just skipped for them, I can tell you I got annoyed with all the lost fish and told them let's do another thing because I can not stand seeing another lure being taken out of the fish mouth

PH · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:52:04 PM »

To be honest, I can't imagime closing my eyes when a fish takes my lure!!!
But I got the message loud and clear to be remain calm when it happens.

Homie · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:53:17 PM »

Quote from: travelmember on March 09, 2011, 08:11:07 PM

Upright? Not all the time. You can also pop with the rod held low, and walk the dog, and swing low, and make the circle beeger! As for closing eyes - normally only after I've missed a big fish, and that is normally accompanied by the finest in my limited Afrikaan's vocabulary!

Im not even afrikaans, but youve never heard a concoction of afrikaanenglishindi Like from me when i do exactly what PH is talking about !

Fedu, some great points there...re learning faster ! Thanks

REEFMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:56:31 PM »

The only time I close my eyes when fishing is to...

benniejordaan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:29:03 PM »

PH, I think the point is to wind and when you get a strike continue winding or doing what ever it is you were doing till you feel the pressure from the fish trying to turn. Only then do you set the hooks. Setting the hooks from a kayak is different to R&S. For the most part you do not need to strike as hard as you can. I usually let the fish run and then just pump it 3 times. As long as you have pressure, the fish will stick! Take your time to set the hooks. On most fish, the hook is generally already vas and striking is not even necessary. Often especially with smaller fish, you can also rip the fishes mouth loosing it!

benniejordaan · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:32:14 PM »

While on the subject, fish with your drag quite high at say 75%. Meaning if you have 30Lb line. Your fighting drag should be around 10Lb but spin with it at around 7,5Lb. and don't even strike! When a fish hits it, he will do all the work for you!

nico · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:34:49 PM »

You know what, I've come to a point when fishing on the boat where I just about never strike (unless I am fishing bait for bottoms with braid). When trawling, your nylon stretch plus the drag will mean you are just wasting your time. When dropshotting or jigging your speed of retrieve means the fish is vas anyway, and if it is not, it's left the artificail and is long gone.

Then again, I see the bass masters strike all the time, and they know what they are doing, but personally I believe the only reason it makes a difference is because it puts a bend in the rod which keeps the line tight.

Maybe with slowy retrieved lures on braid it is essential - I don't know.

I am not a finesse fisherman like the pros (Tommo springs to mind here) - I just wind like hell all the time!

PH · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:38:08 PM »

Quote from: benniejordaan on March 09, 2011, 09:29:03 PM

PH, I think the point is to wind and when you get a strike continue winding or doing what ever it is you were doing till you feel the pressure from the fish trying to turn. Take your time to set the hooks. On most fish, the hook is generally already vas and striking is not even necessary. Often especially with smaller fish, you can also rip the fishes mouth loosing it!

Bennie, this is exactly how Barry demonstrated it to me (with his index finger in his
cheek). It was so graphical I wish more people had seen it. Pity Andree was not there.

PH · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:44:08 PM »

Quote from: benniejordaan on March 09, 2011, 09:32:14 PM

While on the subject, fish with your drag quite high at say 75%. Meaning if you have 30Lb line. Your fighting drag should be around 10Lb but spin with it at around 7,5Lb. and don't even strike! When a fish hits it, he will do all the work for you!

Having bought a new Shimano today and having read the instructions I do relate to what you are
saying, and it make sence,

BigG · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2011, 10:02:22 PM »

When my rod has been in the pension pipe for a couple of hours without a bite i tend to want to close my eyes for a bit as well

fedu · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2011, 10:19:43 PM »

Sorry again to partially disagree with the set the hook consensus posted.

I am hoping we are all talking about casting and not jigging or any other kind of technique.

I usually fish two kinds of casting, either ultra-light inshore with mono line or heavier offshore with braid line.

Do not know if I am right or wrong, but it's what works for me:

a) with mono line I have to set the hook
b) with braid it depends on the fish and type of hooks

Let me detail b) (remember braid offshore, usually heavier drag also) I have two ways of setting the hook either (1) the traditional pull or (2) puting my thumb on the reel and increasing the pressure for a couple seconds when the fish is running, allowing the hook to penetrate deeper.

Usually with larger treble hooks I have to set the hook with (1) (ie trebles like the owner ST-66 )
With single jigging assist hooks most of the times (2) is enough but with some fish like Cubera Snappers (harder) I need to use (1)

The way I see it braid due to the lack of elasticity allows the fish to hook itself but some tougher fish you still need to do it the traditional way, on the other hand the lack of elasticity of braid sometimes opens "holes" on fish mouth manily with heavier drags.

So with braid, just tighten up and pull works most of the time. You don't really set the hook and usually with an "half-hearted hookset" you still get your fish.

The power & speed of your hookset with braid is transmitted to the fish a lot stronger & faster than it is with mono that also means that guys that are used to the timing of mono when they switch to braid set the hook too early.

Hope you guys could understand my limited english

P.S. - Remember no one teached me how to pop or jig I just read about it and the rest went on with trial and error, so I have no "school" apart from time on the water.

TUNAMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2011, 09:05:03 AM »

FEDU that is the best school available......

On another note soon we won't have to use (a) as an IGFA braid is to be launched very soon.

Ziggy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2011, 10:19:49 AM »

No, I dont close my eyes when fishing, but I have a sneaky feeling that the fish close their eyes when they see my lures!

fedu · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2011, 12:18:16 PM »

Quote from: TUNAMAN on March 10, 2011, 09:05:03 AM

.....

On another note soon we won't have to use (a) as an IGFA braid is to be launched very soon.

http://jmgillies.com.au/?p=1317