Grabbing line when landing fish - Myth?

[Glenn]

A number of people have noticed in our videos that Keri and I grab our line to land our fish. *GASP!* Isn't that the wrong way to land a fish?  Can't you lose a fish that way?

 

If that were true, then why is it that Keri and I never lose a fish using this method? I explain in this video.

 

 

[Mike L]

Good video. 
We had a “lively” discussion about this awhile ago. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[MN Fisher]

"Here kitty, kitty"? Keri, you need some new lines. LOL

 

Good information here, Glenn - I'm still sticking with net landing though.

[Glenn]

I'm not advocating people change their ways. Just answering questions from folks wanting to know why we don't lose fish using this method.

[volzfan59]

Glenn, That's a great question. I was taught to never grab the line, being told that by doing so it gives the bass the advantage. That being said, I've seen you, Keri and numerous pro's grab their line. Heck, I don't know if it makes a difference or not. At this point it's just muscle memory and habit for me. Good topic.

[roadwarrior]

51 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Good information here, Glenn - I'm still sticking with net landing though.

 

[Team9nine]

I believe the difference comes in based on whether that fish is in the water or out. As soon as you lift him out of the water as you do in the video, I agree, the fish loses most of it's abililty to leverage getting off. Where the saying remains true, IMO, is when people grab the line while the fish is still swimming around in the water and they try to handline that fish closer to get a grasp on it. You see it quite a bit on the pro circuits where the fish is very near the boat, they're in a hurry to land the fish, but it starts swimming off (pulling drag) or in circles, and they instinctively grab the line and try and pull the fish closer to them to grab the fish, or it's still thrashing around on 18" of line boatside while they try and figure out where they can grab it safely (in the case of trebles). In those circumstances, the fish can easily unload the little bit of tension in the line and escape since they aren't doing the lifting part that you do.

 

The other concern with grabbing and lifting is that if that fish shakes hard and your line is compromised, or the fish is large and your line test is lighter, the possibility that it breaks the line. Have had that happen numerous times in various scenarios with multiple species.

 

I've always been a swing 'em and grab the line type approach for any normal sized fish, and use a net on anything large.

[Paul Roberts]

Love the "Here Kitty, Kitty...". That comparison was never lost on me! :))

 

Interesting take on the subject. Once upon a time I adhered to that 'never touch the line' thing, -no let me say this right: "NEVER TOUCH THE LINE!!" :)) This was bc I'd lost fish that way -once upon a time.

 

I blamed it on the "short line thing", the loss of stretch that can give, at the hook point, to a fish's weight or exertions. But I came to realize this was most an issue with small hooks, and esp small short-shanked hooks, and esp up-eye hooks! In that last case, "DON"T TOUCH THE LINE!!" In fact, lose those short-shank up-eyed hooks altogether, or snell them! That's the way they were meant to be used in the first place.

 

And, of course, make sure your line can handle the weight of the fish! This seemingly obvious one I mention bc of the following painful episode that's still fresh in my mind: While visiting family near Erie, PA, I watched a man on a Presque Isle pier try to lift a good 3lb smallie 6ft up the  pier wall, with 4lb mono! Feeling the gravity of the situation (!), I thought, "No! no, no-no-no... Don't do it!!" But I kept my trap shut, and let him do his thing. I glanced around for the closest net to borrow, but the line snapped, and the bass was gone. The man then turned and cussed out his wife! Somehow I don't expect to see that between Glenn and Keri, for technical as well as civility reasons! But, who knows what gets edited out?! ? ?

 

More to the point, fish are essentially weightless when in the water, but touch terra firma and they instantly have weight! I've watched many a steelhead break off as anglers try to beach a fish.

 

I now will grab the line, without hesitation, even with a fish in the water. And gosh, I've never considered the loaded rod thing... I'll pay attention now as I land fish. I think... the rod is always pointed up and away, esp with longer and faster rods. But, I'm not sure that's always going to be the case. Something like that only has to go wrong once, for it to be significant.

 

I think we all learn not to pull at a snag, straight in! That's asking for serious trouble. Hopefully, we sense the building tension pointed right at us! Reminds me of the time, as a teenager, I lined up square to a cinder block with a .22 rifle. I almost pulled the trigger, but sensing the potential, I made one step left, and the bullet snipped the grass right next to my right leg. 

 

I'm in a float tube, yak, or on the bank, a lot. On a larger boat, high enough off the water, I simply like a net with non-tangling mesh of some type. I've never been a 'flipper', except for small fish, that won't over-stress the rod (that's all about the rod angle), or let the fish beat about the floor of the boat (I'm a fan of that MLF rule, if not for the fish's health but the respect it shows).

 

I've not grabbed the line as you and Keri do however. Will consider it, and see if I can shed some of that remaining automatic bias I acquired -once upon a time.

 

If anything, I've come to... landing fish, and indeed fighting fish, is all about keeping smooth and appropriate (firm) tension on that hook -keeping them swimming, lulling them into submitting- however you choose to get them to hand.

[Darth-Baiter]

I catch and release so I typically try to keep fish off the boat carpet or against my clothing fabric when I’m in my kayak. I as told it damages their slime coat.  Dunno. But I try to do what I can. 
 

rubber coated netter here. 

[Ravox]

I grab the line when I can't reach for the fish on the water, glad to know was doing the correct lol

[ironbjorn]

I've only ever had a fish break off from grabbing the line with thin FC.

[jimmyjoe]

   Never used a net. Never had a net to use. AFAIK, never lost fish.             jj

[Bubba 460]

I grab the line ~ if~ the fish's weight is below the breaking point of the line, plus usually it's a smaller fish and I don't really care if he gets off or not. If they're a little bigger I will swing'em aboard. But if it's a really nice bass I"m getting the net or belly lift or lipping them if there is not 9 sharp hooks looking at me.

[soflabasser]

Grabbing the line to land bass is ok for small to medium sized bass. Any bass over 7 pounds I either lip or use a landing net.

[JustJames]

If I use light line 6-8lb, I try not to grab the line, my problem is once fish especially smaller 1-2lb ones out of water and start shaking the whole body. That can stretch the knot and brake off.

[Ski]

Don't do this!!!!

[the reel ess]

I was told by a guide to absolutely not do it. Ever. But then I see pros doing it. Now that I usually fish in a kayak, I either net or lip the fish or, if it's being difficult, I get my hand under the belly and hold it against the side of the kayak until I can lip it. It's amazing how this calms them. It's also a good tactic when they have a face full o' trebles. I don't even care if I lose small fish at the boat. I was going to toss them back anyway.

[Mike L]

Grab the line if she’s not thrashing around within about 3 ft of the boat. 
If she is, and you do, better make sure it has a face full of trebles or you can see the hook through the top of the mouth. 
 

Any variation the risk goes up. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[kayaking_kev]

I grab the line whenever flipping a fish is risky and I don't want to break my rod. It's usually when I'm bank fishing and the drop off is steep and I lift straight up quickly.

 

The only problem I've had grabbing the line was while trying to pull a big catfish closer to the kayak on 6# line because it wouldn't fit in my net and I got inpatient after fighting it for 45 minutes on a UL setup at night. It seemed gassed out, but as soon as I grabbed the line it started kicking and easily broke the line. Lesson Learned!

[Deleted account]

I've heard that if you grab it, you'll go blind, I still grab it...

[J Francho]

I always thought this was more about light lines.  I don't think I'd lift any fish out on 6# line.  Even though I don't use exactly the same technique, releasing the tension from the rod is an important step.

[avid]

On 3/10/2021 at 12:34 PM, Team9nine said:

I believe the difference comes in based on whether that fish is in the water or out. As soon as you lift him out of the water as you do in the video, I agree, the fish loses most of it's abililty to leverage getting off. Where the saying remains true, IMO, is when people grab the line while the fish is still swimming around in the water and they try to handline that fish closer to get a grasp on it. You see it quite a bit on the pro circuits where the fish is very near the boat, they're in a hurry to land the fish, but it starts swimming off (pulling drag) or in circles, and they instinctively grab the line and try and pull the fish closer to them to grab the fish, or it's still thrashing around on 18" of line boatside while they try and figure out where they can grab it safely (in the case of trebles). In those circumstances, the fish can easily unload the little bit of tension in the line and escape since they aren't doing the lifting part that you do.

 

The other concern with grabbing and lifting is that if that fish shakes hard and your line is compromised, or the fish is large and your line test is lighter, the possibility that it breaks the line. Have had that happen numerous times in various scenarios with multiple species.

 

I've always been a swing 'em and grab the line type approach for any normal sized fish, and use a net on anything large.

I agree   Pulling the line while the fish is still in the water has lost me a few over the years   Not a huge problem  but it has happened 

[TnRiver46]

19 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Never used a net. Never had a net to use. AFAIK, never lost fish.             jj

Nobody believes that!!!!

[huZZah]

Barring hurting/killing it, who cares how someone lands their fish?  If they lose or don’t lose grabbing line, lip, net, fin, tail, eyeball, egg sac,...it doesn’t concern me. I’ll do what works for me and guarantees I don’t hurt or lose the fish. Period.  Although it’s funny cause losing the fish...I am release anyway. 
 

This is why I like fishing alone. If someone “hey you know grabbing like that” to me when I’m fishing I’ll show you why you don’t mess with Texas. 

[J Francho]

10 minutes ago, huZZah said:

Barring hurting/killing it, who cares how someone lands their fish?

Someone that signed up here to learn how to fish.  There are all sorts that don't know what to do.  That is where this forum fits in.  But, okay.  Go Cowboys.