Landing a fish: Fast or Slow

[nickb]

When catching fish, do you guys reel her in as fast as possible, or do you play the fish and let her run if she wants to?  What are some of the reasons for your technique?

[flechero]

I typically bring them in quickly...  I don't want to tire them out too much since I'm just releasing them.  Obviously with bigger fish it slows down some since they can take drag, but I don't ever "play them out."  

[7mm-08]

Unless it's really big, the fish is skipping across the surface when I bring 'em in.  

[EastTexasBassin]

I do my best to avoid letting her head turn the other way.  In the waters where I fish, if you let the fish run she'll get wrapped up in wood and you'll never see her.  I get the fish to the boat as quickly as possible.

My drag stays locked down and I use heavy line.  There's no 'playing' a bass when the bottom of the lake is covered in trees and brush.

[SirSnookalot]

I bring them in on the slow side, it may be the last fish of my life and I want to enjoy it.  I don't compete in tournaments so if I lose a fish that's fine, I'm releasing it anyway.  Have yet to have one go belly up from fatigue.

[Tanker4lyfe]

This really will depend on what your using for instance if your throwing crankbaits you will not want to horse them as much as you would say flipping a brush hog with a 5/0 hook.

[BARON49_Northern NY]

Depends on the tackle I am using.  If I am drop shotting with 6 lb test and have a 7 lb smallmouth I take my time.  If I am flipping with 65 lb test and hook a 1 lb fish I can easily and quickly pull it into the boat.

[WRB]

When catching fish, do you guys reel her in as fast as possible, or do you play the fish and let her run if she wants to? What are some of the reasons for your technique?

Always under control. Bass only fight about 2 minutes maximum, regardless of size. The longer the bass are in the water, the higher the chance at escaping or over stressing. Put them in the boat and enjoy the fight, that's why you are out there.

WRB

[Mottfia]

Small fish come in as fast as I can get em in. As the fish get bigger, I take more time with them but as soon as I see the chance to get them in the boat they are coming in.

Mottfia

[Branuss04]

When fishing swimbaits I horse them in and try to get them to "Ski" across the top of the water  ;D .  With a 4+oz bait in their mouth all it takes is a little slack in the line and they can easily throw the bait.  It's no fun loosing a swimbait fishing.  

With normal tackle I'll bring them in as fast as they let me.  If they want to pull and pull, i'll let them for a bit.  If they aren't putting up a good fight i'll get them in quick.

With light tackle I "finesse" them in and let my rod wear them out a bit.  

[mrlitetackle]

Posted by: SirSnookalot      Posted on: Today at 1:17pm

I bring them in on the slow side, it may be the last fish of my life and I want to enjoy it.  I don't compete in tournaments so if I lose a fish that's fine, I'm releasing it anyway.  Have yet to have one go belly up from fatigue.

....i completely agree......personally i love the fight....i use the lightest drag possible and let'em run.......its much more enjoyable for me that way!!!

[DINK WHISPERER]

It all depends on the technique, lure, size of fish and tackle. For example, if i am flippin heavy cover as soon as i feel the bite i will bully it into the boat as quick as possible! If i am working a crank or spinner bait in open water i will play it a little so the hooks won't tear out. Also, you have to know your tackles limitations. You don't want to "horse" a big fish on ultra light gear.

[fishfordollars]

If I feel the need to play with one it will be in the boat, not the water.

[Crappiebasser]

On braid I horse them in and play them on flouro and mono. The lighter he line the more you have to play them. Even if I'm not in a tourney I want that fish off and the bait back in the water fast as possible.

[Btech]

ill let them fight - but not turn their head just tug side to side

[Jake.]

I will let them fight if they are on light line, or are hooked well and aren't a giant. Otherwise I try to pull them in ASAP.

[CatBassin]

It depends on my mood, the area I'm fishing, and if I'm using light or heavy line.

[FishingPirate]

Depends on line break strength. I get them in the boat asap, in tourneys especially. This weekend a guy fishing in the back of the boat thought he had a small fish, took his time(in a tourney), and the fish get to the boat and jumps and its about a 6lb smalljaw and it throws his bait. About 30 minutes later, I feel some weight on my line and absoltely slam the hookset ripping drag the whole way and proceed to land the second biggest smallie in the tournament. I didnt even know if it was a fish.

[Bankbeater]

If they want to fight, I let them fight until they are tired. If its a dink and I don't know he's on until I see him, he water skis.

[fishinfiend]

I like to enjoy the fight.

[coffee]

I play them, but really I use fairly light line and spinning gear most of the time.  Its part of the challenge for me to see if I can get away with lighter line.

I have a fishing buddy who I swear has steel cable on his reels, he muscles those fish in as fast as he can.  I have actually witnessed him yanking a hookset so hard a little one pound largemouth shot out of the water and came sailing into the boat from twenty feet out.  It was a sight to see, but not something I am into.