How To Fight A Fish In Big Water
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.
Comments (3)
My son was 7 yrs old and decided to go fishing in the creek behind our house. I could watch him from the house so I knew he was safe. Well he took his little super man fishing pole ( small child pole.) next thing I knew he was running for the house I thought he had seen a snake or something. He kept saying big fish Daddy, big fish Daddy. So we walked down to the creek I thought for sure if he had one it had pulled his pole into the creek or got off. But believe it or not. The fish was still hooked and near the bank still in the creek. He had reeled it in until he seen how big it was and he had ran up a little bank and dropped the pole. We reeled it in and measured it and weighed it. 32 1?4 inches long and weighed near 4 pounds. It was almost a record for a Rock Bass so the Game warden said. He wanted to mount it, But I talked him into us eating it or letting it go. We have pictures here somewhere. We got flooded out of that house years ago. Giles County Va. considered that flood to be a 100 year flood. We lost everything we owned. Nothing was left.
My son now 19 still is so proud of catching that fish with that little tiny pole.
32 1/4 inches!!?? That is incredible. That’s something your son will never forget.
Terribly sorry to hear about the flood that pushed your family out. You’ve gone through so much. I’ve never met someone as tough and strong as you.
I had a angel in my life that made life great. I grew up hard, Parents did not want children and dropped me on my great aunt and uncle’s door at 3 in the morning. My father stayed gone drunk and my mother left me there when I was 5. My aunt and uncle took me in, But never had children and really didn’t want me. But took me. I met Theresa in a bar one night and changed my life. We were together 3 years and had our son Elijah Christian Stafford which was my 2nd true love. We as a family have moved 10 times due to loosing my job and couldn’t pay rent to flooding, had to move once due to electrical fire. We had struggle the whole time we was together until this past year. We found a place to rent that we loved. A log home out in the woods. We found out the man was doping up our rent money and was not paying the house payment. The house went up for auction on the court house lawn. I went and it didn’t sell due to the price was not met. I talked to the mortgage company and they came and accessed the house and due to the shape of it ( Not due to us) They came down on the price and we was able to buy the place. Theresa my wife was the happiest she had ever been since our son was born. We had rented this place for a years and in the last month of her life she knew we would own the place we call our true home. We celebrated our 22 anniversary January 1st, My birthday was January 13th, She passed January 19th. We had planned another fishing trip to leave the 22nd for a week. We also had a fishing trip planned for her birthday, March 5th. That’s going to be hard this year.She loved going fishing so much. I taught her how to swim last summer so if she fell in she wouldn’t drown. She would buy me flies that would not be something I would buy. To her all they had to be was pretty. It was so funny. She would have me to cast for her and she would just set there and watch her bobber and watch me fly fish and talk and talk. She said fishing was family time and her therapy for us. On the river, streams, creeks we didn’t have to worry how poor we was or where groceries was coming from or the bills. Without her I wouldn’t be the man I am. She is the reason fishing became so special and dear to me again. As a young boy it was my escape of not being wanted by my families. Fishing with her became special because she shared that time with me. Nate, The friendship you now share with me has became special, You was there to chat with as I wondered where to be without her. You got me to want to fish more and more. My great grandfather taught me how to fly fish and taught me the water no matter if a stream, river or a creek can wipe away anything, He always said if something is bothering you, “Go fishing” and ask God to look over those who you care for and to always lead you down the right path. He will show you a plan. Nate, you was there when I was down, You got me to talking about fishing and at that time things seemed to have light on what Theresa would wanted me to do, “Go fishing” talk to God and look for my plan. So thank you Nate. I wish I had lots of money so I could buy all your fishing flies and gear and etc. I wish I could donate millions to you deeds you have, such as the Vets. and the stream you want to clean up. To me your the man for all your doing. Your someone everyone needs to look up to. Me tough yea right. I live month to month. Our big fishing trips was to the creeks, river, trout stream are just few mile near us. But I would never traded not one day of it with Theresa in my life. I will own the house Theresa loved in few years, The car we own as of this month is paid off (2000 Nissan Maxima) 245,000 miles on it, Its tough as Theresa was. Tough? No Theresa and I just lived life day by day and smile as if it was our last with God and each other hand in hand. I had her and she had me, Elijah the last year had changed, hanging around folks that was no good. He is a great kid, But at 19 he is still a kid and has no clue in life. So Nate, I need to thank you for being my friend. The free flies you sent me was something no body has ever done for me. Believe it or not. Nobody has “EVER” gave me anything in my whole life, “EVER”. So thank you again, Your friend, Troy If you ever need anything in my power I will do! Just ask.
The Fly Crate is the best fly company any where, The quality, The product is top notch. I would put any fly against any company out there “PERIOD”!
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