Releasing and thumbing the spool while fighting fish

[WRB]

I have no problem getting hook sets on big bass at 40-50 yards using 10 lb mono.

why? I developed a hook setting technique that eliminates all those issue with line by reeling fast until I feel the weight of the bass then clamp down on the spool making a hard rod sweep. This is why I like higher speed reels to take line as fast as possible. 

Another factor is the design of my jig and hook used is a 5/0 Gamaskatsu #114 w/.046 D wire strong enough penetrate any basses mouth and sharp. Line stretch IMO is overblown and line drag going though water misunderstood as stretch because it feels like stretching line.

Getting off topic?

I nearly lost my thumb pad from a Marlin when the reel was in free spool pulling out loose line after making a cast with live mackerel. The Marlin took off full speed before I could engage the drag and the thumb got wedged between the spool and reel frame terming off most of the thumb pad. Fresh water fish are not that fast or strong but still can blister your thumb using braid.

 

[Team9nine]

Sorry, but you’ve lost me on this one. I’m trying to understand, though. So if you “clamp down on the spool” during the hook set as mentioned in the post above (essentially now no drag, however brief, correct?), how would you ever break off every fish on the strike as mentioned in the post before this last one by instead not clamping down and having a 70% drag setting as I mentioned? I have a little slip built into the system “just in case,” but you remove that slip by clamping down on the hook set, yet not breaking off. What am I missing here? I get your points on reel setting, imagined stretch, etc.

 

Thanks for the discussion...

[WRB]

48 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Sorry, but you’ve lost me on this one. I’m trying to understand, though. So if you “clamp down on the spool” during the hook set as mentioned in the post above (essentially now no drag, however brief, correct?), how would you ever break off every fish on the strike as mentioned in the post before this last one by instead not clamping down and having a 70% drag setting as I mentioned? I have a little slip built into the system “just in case,” but you remove that slip by clamping down on the hook set, yet not breaking off. What am I missing here? I get your points on reel setting, imagined stretch, etc.

 

Thanks for the discussion...

Over 60 years of trained thumb becomes automatic as to casting spool control and hook sets. The only time that I recall breaking off bass on a jig hook set was at night. I broke off several big bass on consecutive hooks sets before realizing the line was new type and used to Big Game at that time. Trying to recall the line was German Techna or something like that. Anyway it had poor impact strength as discovered the hard way and put that Rod down a little too late. I usually use 15 lb Big Game at night. 

I am a light line angler during day time because it cast long distances easier and less line drag helps to detect strikes. 15 lb Big Game I miss too many longer cast strikes, too much bow in the line do to the .015 diameter, OK with shorter casts.

Way off topic. Give reel set Rod sweep technique a try, similar to crankbaits but faster and harder.

Tom

[BigAngus752]

I'm really confused now.  I set my drag slightly lighter then I expect I'll need/want.  I automatically clamp my thumb down on hookset and I can let up if I think the fish is pulling so hard as to rip out a treble or I can clamp down if I need to.  I thought I was being really professional!!!  LOL!  Obviously I'm in the minority here!

[Team9nine]

29 minutes ago, WRB said:

Over 60 years of trained thumb becomes automatic as to casting spool control and hook sets. The only time that I recall breaking off bass on a jig hook set was at night. I broke off several big bass on consecutive hooks sets before realizing the line was new type and used to Big Game at that time. Trying to recall the line was German Techna or something like that. Anyway it had poor impact strength as discovered the hard way and put that Rod down a little too late. I usually use 15 lb Big Game at night. 

I am a light line angler during day time because it cast long distances easier and less line drag helps to detect strikes. 15 lb Big Game I miss too many longer cast strikes, too much bow in the line do to the .015 diameter, OK with shorter casts.

Way off topic. Give reel set Rod sweep technique a try, similar to crankbaits but faster and harder.

Tom

Lol, probably Tectan by DAM Damyl (Germany). I had the exact same problem with it when I tried it. Poor impact resistance, and it seems to not play well with certain type knots. Much thinner due to a different rating system. More like fly fishing tippet material than traditional nylon we’re used to.

[WRB]

37 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Lol, probably Tectan by DAM Damyl (Germany). I had the exact same problem with it when I tried it. Poor impact resistance, and it seems to not play well with certain type knots. Much thinner due to a different rating system. More like fly fishing tippet material than traditional nylon we’re used to.

That's it! Techna was Fenwick rods.

Tom

[Mike L]

1 hour ago, BigAngus752 said:

I'm really confused now.  I set my drag slightly lighter then I expect I'll need/want.  I automatically clamp my thumb down on hookset and I can let up if I think the fish is pulling so hard as to rip out a treble or I can clamp down if I need to.  I thought I was being really professional!!!  LOL!  Obviously I'm in the minority here!

Yeah

Here you are, but not as much as you might think. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[ironbjorn]

Personally I just trust that drag I pay for and it does its job without me having to get weird about it.