enforcer
6/30/2013 12:07:00 PMCongrats on your first steelhead hookup. Now be prepared for the ensuing steelhead addiction. I would recommend to anyone that after tying your knots, slip your needle nose pliers inside the hook and pull hard to test the knot. (The pliers will help you avoid impaling yourself.) If you do that and set your drag correctly...and sometimes run like heck after a hot fish , you should not be breaking off. 8 - 10 lb UltraGreen leader should be all you need for these summer runs.
Mordalphus
6/30/2013 4:07:00 PMYeah, I was using 12 lb, and thought I had set my drag to 4 lbs, but I guess not... And it did seem stiff, the fish was just rolling in place and it would take a couple feet here or there but it didn't peel line off like it should have if the drag was correct.
I am using an old school kitchen scale to measure my drag, does anyone have a better method?
I am using an old school kitchen scale to measure my drag, does anyone have a better method?
natetreat
6/30/2013 5:11:00 PMI run my drag loose, but you get the feel for the breaking strength of your line. When I need the extra drag I thumb the spool a little. It takes a little experience to figure out how much pressure you can put on a fish. It happens to the best of us though! I'm glad you hooked up at least!
Mordalphus
6/30/2013 5:35:00 PMThanks, Nate! God this fish would've been something too, everyone around me was freaking out about how big it was.
Next time I'll have to land it instead of just yakking about it! I think I'll set my drag a little looser than 1/3 leader strength, maybe 2.5 lbs instead of 4. Start a little looser and tighten it up if I need to.
What knots do you guys recommend for jig fishing? I've been using Palomar for the knot on the jig which is the knot that held up, but using the improved clinch on to the swivel end, which is the knot that snapped.
In usually use the clinch when lake fishing, but this was nothing like a lake trout! Holy jesus!
Next time I'll have to land it instead of just yakking about it! I think I'll set my drag a little looser than 1/3 leader strength, maybe 2.5 lbs instead of 4. Start a little looser and tighten it up if I need to.
What knots do you guys recommend for jig fishing? I've been using Palomar for the knot on the jig which is the knot that held up, but using the improved clinch on to the swivel end, which is the knot that snapped.
In usually use the clinch when lake fishing, but this was nothing like a lake trout! Holy jesus!
enforcer
7/1/2013 10:15:00 AMMordalphus, I use clinch knots on swivels and jigs too with no problem. Make sure you wet the wraps before you cinch it down and then test it well. If it's less than perfect, re-tie it. As far as tightening your drag, I never use a scale and I don't know anyone who does for setting a drag. Just pull so the line will pay out but still tight enough to set the hook. Sometimes you need to adjust the drag in mid-fight even. Your drag should pay line smoothly...not jerky. if it's jerky, the drag washers may be shot. And always back off your drag after a day of fishing so the drag washers don't get ruined.