Fishing

[fbWldcat]

Only thing this thread is missing now is a contribution from Skuz himself...

[fbWldcat]

Either that or a Sticky 

[MORAY37]

Bailey got it! Channel cat on a Bucktail spinner otherwise known as a Roostertail.

Very rare for me to ever catch a Catfish with a spinner, my first fish doing it.

Don't know why, catfish are very active and opportunistic predators.  People get a false impression that they are just bottom hugging lumps, that need the stumble onto prey dead.  I've caught catfish on flies many times. I've had big ones go after topwater frogs, as well.

[F6Fraven]

I had a quick question, I use bluegill a lot as bass bait and I usually have a lot of success but I always have a hard time getting the bass hooked once it attacks. I usually use a size 5/0 circle hook and when the bass hits I let the line run for about 10-30 secs. and then I set the hook. The problem is that the hook only catches about 10% of the time.

[Tec]

Define "Set the hook".  With a circle hook you don't cross their eyes, you gently apply pressure and let the hook do the work.  Also have you experimented with different hook placements on the bait to make sure the bait isn't getting in the way?  If it's something you cant get worked out you could always try making some home made quick set rigs with a couple treble hooks.

[mbailey]

Try a 3 way swivel, tie off one end to your line, then run 2 pieces of fishing line thru the gills(attached to the other 2 ends of the 3way swivel, and out thru the gill plates, one on each side, then tie a trebel hook on each piece of fishing line coming out from the gill plates. you can hook one treble into the anal opening and one thru the meaty part of the rear of the fish ( near the back bone but not in it )  This rig sets the hooks farther back, so that when he grabs it from behind hes hooked. THe sunny will be able to swim freely as the one end of the 3 way swivel is at the mouth, and is the end that is attached to your rod.

This is a salt-water rig i use all the time, the bait swims true, lives a long time, and hooksets are almost guarenteed.

Just be sure to set it when he hits it, you dont want him swallowing it, expecially if you practice catch and release. Ive never tried it with a standard 5/0 or barbless hook, but im sure it could be done easily

[fbWldcat]

The wait is your problem. Set the hook immediately.

[TheBug]

Just to keep the pictures going.   

Steelhead caught two weekends ago:





Although the cell phone camera doesn't come close to doing it justice. Sunset on an amazingly calm Lake Ontario.




If the weather cooperates hope to be out for a couple hours tomorrow after work.
I'm addicted now. 

[MORAY37]

I had a quick question, I use bluegill a lot as bass bait and I usually have a lot of success but I always have a hard time getting the bass hooked once it attacks. I usually use a size 5/0 circle hook and when the bass hits I let the line run for about 10-30 secs. and then I set the hook. The problem is that the hook only catches about 10% of the time.

You had better check your state laws.  Using bluegill as a bait item may be against the law in your state.. It was in Pennsylvania, before I left.

[fbWldcat]

Here in KY the law states. No sportfish may be used as bait, with the exception of redear sunfish under 6". Bluegill are not considered sportfish and are exempt. That is to my understanding the last time I saw it.

[F6Fraven]

Alright, thanks for the suggestions everyone, when I went this evening I caught 2 bass and the fish got hooked 2 out of 5 times so I got a higher percentage of hooks than usual. This time I kept the line taught when the bass hit it and I didn't jerk it or anything, just started reeling it in slowly.

[Tec]

How big of blue gills and where are you hooking them?  You fish them under balloons or floats or?

[F6Fraven]

About 3 inches and I hook them right in the back towards the head, and use a bobber just large enough to stay above the surface

[mbailey]

  It was in Pennsylvania, before I left.

Yep, It still is

[Flench]

Yep, It still is

It is here too . Nice pic's TheBug ...and a very nice fish