Newbie here. Landing a fish too heavy for the drag?

[Dan O'Bryan]

Today I lost a giant catfish because I kept trying to reel it in off the bank against the drag and at one point I gave it too much slack. I didn't have a net. Was I supposed to grab it out by the line or tighten the drag all the way to lift it out? What are you supposed to do in this situation? Do you ever mess with the drag throughout the fight? I had some drag and it tired it out pretty well. I just couldn't lift the darn thing out the water just by reeling.

Edited May 17, 2020 by Dan O'Bryan

[jbsoonerfan]

Well, first you would have to define "giant", could be a 12 lb channel, a 30 lb blue or a 50 lb flathead. Then it would depend on the line, rod, etc. The drag of a reel is made to be pulled by a fish to keep from breaking your line or ruining the reel. I have a buddy who thinks the drag is made to tighten all the way down and just horse fish in. 

 

There are a lot of different factors in play in your scenario so we really can't say for sure what you should have done.

[Dan O'Bryan]

I don't know. I guess what I'm trying to ask is, how do you land a fish when the fish is heavier than the drag? Because I've been hearing that you want your drag at a moderate setting to tire the fish. But then when you try to land it and it's heavier than that moderate setting, what then? Do you go grab the line or tighten it all the way to be able to lift it out? I have a medium rod rated for 4-12lb test. I have 15lb braid on it. Wasn't expecting to hook a catfish today 

Edited May 17, 2020 by Dan O'Bryan

[MN Fisher]

1 - Get a net

2 - Trying to lift a big fish out of the water by the rod is a fast way to break a rod

3 - As JB said, the drag is to save the line, keep the fish on longer and tire it out eventuallly

4 - If you can get it close, pull it ashore but don't bend the rod more than you have to.

5 - If you have to lift the fish - get a good pair of gloves and grab the line (see #2)

[Dan O'Bryan]

Gotcha. Because everyone along the bank was yelling at me to tighten the drag to pull the fish out while I was agitated with excitement not knowing what I was doing. I probably would of broke my rod if I did that 

[jimmyjoe]

   These might help.   https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fish-Gripper-Fishing-Pliers-Floating-Saltwater-Fish-Grip-Grabber-Lip-Grip-HI-/153404058947

   jj

[Cdn Angler]

Your drag is going to have to be tight to have a chance at lifting a truly "huge" fish straight out of the water.  Otherwise it'll just take out line when you lift, defeating the purpose.  But if you tighten the drag there is no give on the line which means it is more likely to snap your line or rod. 

 

Try and beach it if you can, but better yet bring a net and not hurt the fish, lose the fish or break your line. If truly big and beaching isn't an option I would try and grab the fish with my hands before pulling on the line with bare hands - if it is a big fish this also risks line snapage since your hands have zero "drag." No perfect solution except a net. 

[RoLo]

Sounds like an emotionally-charged experience…Congratulations on your hook-up.

Not witnessing the event, I’m not qualified to offer a solution, but this much I can tell you:

 

> If you gave the fish ‘any’ slack at any time, that’s reason enough for a lost fish.

> If the fish was a true giant, then horsing it out of the water was out of the question.

> Hand-walking down the line to the fish has drawbacks:

    For one thing: It eliminates the benefit of the drag, when a true giant could easily break the line.

    Also, catfish have spines that should be respected (Not nearly as bad as bullheads)

 

‘Beaching’ the fish may have been your best option. That’s accomplished by applying firm, steady pressure

to keep the fish’s head pointed onshore. In that manner, the fish’s effort to escape pushes the fish

progressively onshore (Beaching requires patience and cannot be rushed).

 

BTW: There’s nothing wrong with backing off the drag when fighting a lunker in open water (I often do).

The only downside to reducing drag tension, is remembering to retighten the tension.

 

Roger

[NOC 1]

11 hours ago, Dan O'Bryan said:

I don't know. I guess what I'm trying to ask is, how do you land a fish when the fish is heavier than the drag? Because I've been hearing that you want your drag at a moderate setting to tire the fish. But then when you try to land it and it's heavier than that moderate setting, what then? Do you go grab the line or tighten it all the way to be able to lift it out? I have a medium rod rated for 4-12lb test. I have 15lb braid on it. Wasn't expecting to hook a catfish today 

Buy a net Dan.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

11 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Well, first you would have to define "giant", could be a 12 lb channel, a 30 lb blue or a 50 lb flathead. Then it would depend on the line, rod, etc. The drag of a reel is made to be pulled by a fish to keep from breaking your line or ruining the reel. I have a buddy who thinks the drag is made to tighten all the way down and just horse fish in. 

 

There are a lot of different factors in play in your scenario so we really can't say for sure what you should have done.

Give your Buddy my number. 

[FishTank]

I don't watch this guy often but when it comes to light line big catch, this comes to mind.  Remember to have a net.  Sometimes it just takes experience.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmRuvB9T2vY

[CrankFate]

It’s impossible to say what’s best here. It all depends on the rod, the reel, the line, the hooks. There’s only so much you can dead lift before something fails. You have to know how hard you can pull on what you’re using. I agree with @Cdn Angler & @RoLo that beaching is the best option. Otherwise, use a net. I recommend tightening drag on the fish. But last time I did that, my son lost a big fish he had on, because I couldn’t feel what was too tight. This situation is all about the feel.

[JustJames]

11 hours ago, Dan O'Bryan said:

I don't know. I guess what I'm trying to ask is, how do you land a fish when the fish is heavier than the drag? Because I've been hearing that you want your drag at a moderate setting to tire the fish. But then when you try to land it and it's heavier than that moderate setting, what then? Do you go grab the line or tighten it all the way to be able to lift it out? I have a medium rod rated for 4-12lb test. I have 15lb braid on it. Wasn't expecting to hook a catfish today 

I would play until catfish get tired and stay on top of water and I can pull them in  safely with my line (by pulling them in meaning walking back while hold the spool titght, just in case catfish decide to run again then I can lets go my hand for drag to work again). I don’t tighten drag when fighting with catfish but if catfish pull too much line out I just use my finger touching spool to act like drag assistant.

If you can go in water and land them that way to be safe. DO NOT try to lift or pull them in with your rod, chance of your rod broken is super high. If you have nowhere to land them safely (beach type, dock, shallow water that you can stand in) I would just got them as close as possible and cut the line.

A couple months back I land 5 catfish all on Ultralight rod/reel and line(10lb braid with 4-6lb leader) two of them pushing 7lb or more while fishing for crappie.

BTW, I have 3 nets at home but never plan to use them while walking around banks looking for crappie, bluegill or bass. I believe in my ability to land them. If I cannot land them safely I wouldn’t fish that spot even I know there are ton of fish there.

[WRB]

Spinning reels you don't reel against the drag. To increase a set drag use your index finger against the side of the spool. 15 lb line you set the drag at 5 lbs, 1/3rd the line strength. 

Light tackle fighting big fish takes time to wear down the fish, it's called taking thie fight out of the fish. To land a big fish from shore slide up onto the bank.

Ocean fishing the fish usually weigh more then the line used to catch them and salt water fish are stronger then fresh water fish.

set the drag, trust it and learn the skills to fight big fish; keep the rod held up to load the rod preventing any slack line. Keep the fish in front of you as much as possible, don't reel against a fish pulling drag, add more force using your finger on a spinning reel, thumb the spool on a bait caster.

Tom

 

[garroyo130]

12 hours ago, Dan O'Bryan said:

Today I lost a giant catfish because I kept trying to reel it in off the bank against the drag and at one point I gave it too much slack. I didn't have a net. Was I supposed to grab it out by the line or tighten the drag all the way to lift it out? What are you supposed to do in this situation? Do you ever mess with the drag throughout the fight? I had some drag and it tired it out pretty well. I just couldn't lift the darn thing out the water just by reeling.

Dont drag fish out of water. Once theyre tired out, just lip them. 

 

Its a catfish get your whole hand in there if you want and pull that thing out of the water!

 

Unless youre fishing heavy gear dont try to lift the fish out of the water with your rod. And even if you're fishing heavy gear, don't try to lift the fish by reeling! Rods are for moving fish, reels are for picking up line.

[OnthePotomac]

With any large fish never forget the pump and crank principle.  It will wear them down.  Landing by cranking only is not a good idea.

[Teal]

Hard to diagnose the true error with out seeing it.  But like one of the guys said, if there was any slack at any point, that's a "no-no".   If I know the fish is bigger, I have to tell my self to be patient and take my time.   Tom's advice is solid.   You are gonna be in for a fight, keep the fish in front of you, keep the rod loaded and if he wants to pull drag, then that's fine as long as you putting up your own fight when hes done.

  I very had fish, especially striper, go on a run with my line, then I get to a point where I can turn then and get all that line back and more. When I'm bank fishing with the kids, if I'm in position to beach a big fish, I typically do it.  

[LCG]

A net is a lot cheaper than a broken rod and/or reel and it's a lot safer for the fish if your planning on releasing. 

[RoLo]

 

‘Beaching’ fish isn’t popular in sweetwater because there’s no reliable current.

In the surf though, ‘giant’ fish are routinely beached without a net.

The rod is held perpendicular to the fishing line, while applying firm & steady pressure.

With every breaking wave, the fish gets nudged progressively onshore (as you backpedal slowly).

 

Most of us have boats and nets, but there are lots of good-sticks out there with neither. 

 

Roger

 

[soflabasser]

Bring a landing net and learn how to use the drag of the reel to properly fight a fish.

3 hours ago, RoLo said:

Most of us have boats and nets, but there are lots of good-sticks out there with neither. 

I catch most of my bass from land and learned a long time ago that a good landing net is worth every penny. Big bass and other fish are experts at shaking off the hook near the shore and a net increases the chances of landing a big fish.

[king fisher]

     After guiding fisherman for a living for over 35 years, and seeing all kinds of chaos come about wile fighting fish, I can honestly say I have seen very few fish get away because the drag was too loose.  I have witnessed thousands of fish get away when the angler says I think I need to tighten the drag.  That is the the most common phrase heard, right before he yells.  What happened?  You can always palm a spinning reel, or thumb a bait caster if you need to help drag a fish on the beach or keep one away from a snag.

      I know there are times, and techniques  when you need to have the drag locked down, and those times are more common in bass fishing.  Just saying, that more big fish are lost from horsing than letting them run.

[RoLo]

On countless occasions, backing off on drag tension allowed me to boat thinly hooked fish,

and heavy fish on light light. This is especially true with braided polyethylene. 

 

Roger