Bringing a fish to the surface when you're trying to land it will certainly make it more challenging. If you bring the fish to the surface you will be fighting both the fish and the current. Doubling the challenge and doubling the probability of not netting your catch.
Not only that, but fish tend to jump around when they near the surface. This can only lead to tangles and a good chance of losing the fish. Make it easy on yourself.
WHERE IS THE SOFT CURRENT?
You only want to fight the fish -- not the current. So how do we only do that? Think about it.
Why do fish stay close to the bottom? Because there is little to no current.
Take a look at this graphic we put together to illustrate the differences in current speeds in water columns:
The closer you bring the fish to the surface, the more it will fight that faster current. You need to keep it in the softer current. A soft current is water that has little to no movement. Fish pod up in these soft currents to expel as little energy as possible and, yet, still feed on drifting insects.
Where else can I find soft currents besides near the bottom?
- Eddies
- Behind obstacles
- Sides of riffles & runs
KEEP ROD TIP LOW AND OFF TO THE SIDE...
Joe Humphreys preaches that the most important thing is to have control of your line.
By keeping your rod tip low and off to the side, you'll fight the fish closer to the bottom and in the softer currents.
Once the fish is spent, bring in the fish to the surface for release. Keep in mind that you do not want to fight the fish long because this causes the fish further stress and can kill it. The faster you release the fish -- the better.