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I just got back into chasing eyes, some years back a friend introduced me to mayfly rigs so I made a bunch up. Went out for the first time last week and fought 3 nice fish and lost 3. My question is should I pu a stinger hook on the end? If so how? Any comments are appreciated.
I do not use stingers or any kind of trailer hooks on my rigs. I use a single 1/0 hook on the rigs I tie up. I just fish them the same as I do using weight forward spinners. Did they shake off at the boat, or a ways out? I like to use light and medium- light rods for eyes so I can stay on the retrieve hard and let my drag do the work if needed while keeping plenty of rod tension on the lure/hookset. Dont be afraid to put some ass in your hookset, the lighter rod gives me the liberty of doing so without ripping lure out of their mouths. It also helps me net the fish when I'm solo having the rod bent in half. Good luck
Thanks. Yes I lost them all about half way out. I use a med/heavy 6' rod and I think I do set the hook pretty hard. When i have a fish on i pull them up with the rod then qind back down and pull up again till the fish is up. I also have my drag set good so they can have some line if the dive back down.I just wondered if a stinger would help or hurt the presentation.
I agree with MasterK. A stinger is not necessary. Pay attention to your hooks. Keep them sharp and you will lose fewer fish. You might have just had a run of bad luck.
Don't use the reel and pull reel and pull method...just keep steady tension on the fish when reeling in...they are just like hooking into logs and sometimes just sit there...just keep tension on them at all times and a steady retrieve...you will get to know when you hook a walleye vs any other fish...
The double hooking seems to beat up your worm too much cast after cast, also. Its hard enough with 1 hook try to keep your worm looking presentable. I myself don't care for stingers in general. Just my opinion.
I agree with Jacked Up, keep reeling after setting the hook. Let the spool do the work and keep a bend in the pole. Be certain the drag is set properly. I have seen quite a few lost when the pole loses tension. When fishing alone I put the pole in a rod holder with plenty of tension on the line, the fish just barely in the water, and a long handled net. Too old and clumsy to hold the rod and net the fish at the same time.
Gerry- just curious, what size and brand/style hook are you using on your rigs?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerry D
This batch I made up using bait holder eagle claw either #4 or #6 hooks and 17lb. Low vis stren line.
Attachment 3208Been using single hook rigs for years like this. Erie Dearies only have one hook. You can make 2 hook cast rigs but use hooks without barbs on the shank in a size 6 or so. Some companies do make worm rigs with a small rear treble but I dont think they are needed. I prefer a 6.6ft medium rod, I think a medium hvy is just too stiff but your choice. Set your drag and a steady reel works best. Slack line looses fish.
Gerry,
If you are using a braided line, the drag may still be to tight on the hook set (therefore, possibly ripping the hook almost out of the fishes mouth on the hook set only to lose it on the fight) and it still may be to tight on the fight.
This was my issue last year on the jig bite and halfway through the summer as I had decided to make a commitment to switch to braided lines over mono that I have always fished. I was very frustrated hooking fish and loosing them on the retrieve last year until early July when I loosened the drag way up compared to fishing with mono. The rest of the summer, I landed 95% of the fish I hooked up on and this spring was much better probably landing 80% of the fish I hooked up. I still lost some jig fishing because drag was to tight.
One thing that I found that worked for me was switching to a 7 foot glass cranking rod. I use the bass pro crankin stick made for bass crank baits. It has a softer tip that gives on a head shake. Line is 12 pound fluorocarbon made by P-line. I set my drag to only retrieve if the fish isn't pulling. If he makes a run it will pull drag but won't tear lips open or pull the hook. Hope this helps.