What to do when big fish takes the bait.

[pgomez1]

A few days ago, fishing of DFP I had hooked big fish 3 times. I'd like to get a bit of advice as to what to do when we get lucky and get a big one on. It sounds kind of simple, but the fact is that at least in my case, the excitement get in the way, so turning off the clicker, setting the hook, letting it run, adjusting the drag, all that gets mixed up. Any suggestion would help.

[Jordan]

Depends on the fish some of the time. Get a hookset if you're using a J or just crank if it's a circle. If it's running, let it run. Tighten your drag to slowly wear it down during runs. Once it stops running just crank up and reel. If you have something really big on like a big shark and you're worried about getting spooled lock down your drag and if it doesn't stop it or break your line hold the spool so it breaks.

[bolo]

First, I use circle hooks. Second, the drag should be set before you start to fish. Once the drag is set I do not mess with it anymore. If you need to apply more drag use your thumb for conventional and your palm on spinner. When the fish take the bait and the clicker is screaming I do not worry about turning the clicker off. I make sure the line is tight and wind in your line as fast as you can to set the circle hook. If you use J hook you apply the same principle. Once the fish is hook raise the rod tip so it has a nice bend to the rod. This will increase drag pressure to the fish. Now when you have the fish on you can turn off the clicker. Take your time and do not panic. You need to learn to move with the fish to prevent the line from cutting any structure. Always have your net or someone with you to help you land a big fish. As you fish more you will get better. Always be aware of your surrounding and what you are doing. They will prepare for any surprise. I hope this helps. I am sure I am leaving something out but others will chime in.

[Boca Jetty Rat]

Having that drag preset is so key. Once you engage the reel for the hookset you don't want it to tight like I did to my girlfriend today. Damn near pulled her in the water.

[bolo]

Having that drag preset is so key. Once you engage the reel for the hookset you don't want it to tight like I did to my girlfriend today. Damn near pulled her in the water.

That must been a Kodak moment.

[Boca Jetty Rat]

Yeah it was on a 6500 baitrunner. Line was tight when I handed it over then I was like "whoa thats tight", it wasn't so tight it broke the line right away though drag was still smokin. Don't be afraid to use wire if sharks are present. I always think the fish can see the wire and Im not gonna catch anything, but like today all fish had no problem hitting the baits on the wire rigs.

[pgomez1]

Thanks , quite helpful. I'll keep in mind the suggestions for when/if am in the same situation again... providing the adrenaline let's me remember then...

Thanks again...

[bukibob]

Boy Scout Motto; BE PREPARED
know your limits and the limits of your gear
I check any new gear by tying on to truck bumper and backing up slowly while snuggin down drag. this gives an idea of how much I can put it to a biggun.
If you are fishin rocks you need to get fish up fast so reel down and pull up.
bad knots and frayed line will cost you a lot of good fish if you don't check your rigging on every cast.
let others know if you hook a biggun, saying OH SH*T ain't enough.BIG FISH ON..GET THE NET will let them know to pull lines clear the deck and call you a lucky tard if you land it.
Ther are a million variables that can pop up at any time but I have seen some very big fish landed on some really small gear.
so rub your rabbits foot kiss a leprechan and say your prayers.
BOB

[virtualdave]

Good Topic. I've been totally owned by salt water fish a couple times. One time it happened down here in FT. L. I was a musician in a band that would get to come down here and play at Summers on the Beach back in the 80's and early 90's. I would tuck a fishing rod and some gear into our equpment truck and with our rental car go off looking for bridges I could get under and fish. I found one on A1A and was happily catching sand perch and a host of other little strange (to me) fishes. I had lots of luck with these small fish. In the midst of this there were a couple explosive surface takes right down from the middle pier supporting the bridge. I tied on a rapala type crank bait and launched a cast perfectly at the spot. A couple turns of the reel and I was on to a monster, for a few seconds. My fresh water rod and 8lb test line was no match and quickly broke. The incident left me with a healthy respect for the fish the dwell in your waters.
virtualdave

[Boruchlen]

I agree with everything that was said before. The first few times, expect to lose the bigger fish. It won't take long for you to learn the ropes, and get a feel for it.
One recommendation that I could make is to got out on a boat like Sea Legs, and tell the captain that you're new at this, and could he put you in a spot that he could help if you get something big on. Captain Kenny did that for me, and boy, what a difference it made. I had a nice size king on, and the Capt'n stood next to me adjusting my drag as needed and telling me exactly what to do the whole fight. After that, I felt more confident, and that in itself makes all the difference in the world.
My last dry tortugas trip, I fought a 5-6' shark for about 20 minutes on a Penn Slammer paired with a 6500 baitrunner and 25# test. Brought him to the boat, and released. There's no way I would have been able to bring him in to the boat without having the confidence from other catches. No panic, just action. The darn thing fought like a king fish the whole time. I was extremely surprised when up came a shark.
Best of luck to you, and tight lines (but not too tight )

[solofish]

I wish I knew what to suggest. I've had so many frustrating line breaks. I've had the misfortune of losing some really big fish in the past couple of years. Fish know where to find structure in the water and wrap you up good. Others just muscle you and jump to break your line - tarpon in particular. But other times I think it's technique. I've learned to be a little more patient and let the fish drag a bit to tire them out. But still, I have a lot of lost fish.

I've stopped using filament, I only use braided line now, 30lb braid w/30lb fluorocarbon lead, and 50lb braid w/50lb flourocarbon lead. But it seems I lose just as many lines. I'm sure technique has something to do with it, as does luck. I've grown more patient, giving fish more line and using drag to tire them out, but they still get away. Even with this setup, I've had spanish macks cut through the carbon leads like a hot knife through butter. There are some real monsters down there, and the fish have natural instincts where they seek out structure to break you off. It really sucks to lose a big one, but something you just get used to.