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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! - Ten Ways to Improve Bite-to-Catch Ratio-Part II of II
November 26, 2006
A previous column discussed ways to improve "Bite-to-Catch Ratio." Topics included fishing line, hooks, knots, drag, and hook setting techniques. Hopefully, the following information will also be helpful.
Tight lines - no slack. The way a fish is fought can make the difference in whether you catch or lose it. A most important consideration is to keep the line tight at all times. Even the slightest amount of slack can result in a fish slipping the hook. To assure that the line is taut, keep a bow in the rod. When the fish takes drag, let it pull the line. Don't reel when the line is going out. If the fish changes direction and begins to swim toward the boat, reel fast enough to maintain steady pressure. A properly adjusted drag and a bend in the rod work together to wear down the fish.
It is important to note that fishing reels should not be used to winch a fish. Reels are designed to store, release and recover line. The rod, not the reel, is used to pull the fish toward the angler. The procedure for pumping the fish is simple. Slowly lift the rod skyward until the main part of the rod blank is parallel with your chest. Then, slowly drop the rod tip toward the water and use the reel to retrieve the line. If the drag engages, stop reeling. Repeat the process until the fish is a rod length away.
Lead or follow. A fishing rod can be used to lead a fish in the direction you want it to go. This is done by applying upward or sideward pressure to the rod. Most times the fish can be led to swim away from cover or other lines. Keeping a fish under control is important, particularly when it is time to net it. If a fish is putting up a hard fight, it might be wise to let it swim in the direction it wishes to go. The angler should follow it around the boat or up and down the shoreline until it settles down.
Team work. Most fish come straight toward the boat and can be landed without a lot of trouble. But, when the big one hits, everyone should help to assure that it's landed. There are times when the boat must be maneuvered to a better position to fight the fish. Other lines might need to be reeled in to prevent tangling. Teamwork is critical when a fish is being netted or gaffed.
Landing the fish. More fish are lost during the final stages of battle than at any other time. One reason is that there is less stretch in a short line than in a long one. A short line increases the chances of a fish breaking off. Next, a fish usually gets a second wind when it sees the boat or net. A third and major reason is due to improper netting. An angler should lead the fish to the net without pulling the fish from the water. The netter should only attempt to net the fish head first. Trying to net a fish from the tail or side almost always results in a pulled hook or a broken line. It's not over when the fish is in the net. The angler should immediately let the line go slack to prevent pulling the fish from the net before it is brought on board.
Unhooking the catch. The final step might be easier said than done, particularly if the fish is attached to a lure with two or three sets of treble hooks. Wear gloves to reduce the chances of being caught by a hook or cut by a sharp gill plate or fin. Most freshwater fish don't have teeth, so can be gripped by the lower jaw with the thumb and forefinger. Toothy fish need to be held firmly behind the gills. Be certain the fish is held securely before removing the hook.
To avoid another fish tale without proof, take a picture of your catch!
Tips from Capt. Gus. Rubber nets are fish and angler friendly. Rubber webbing doesn't rub the slime and scales from a fish like monofilament and corded nets do. An added benefit is that hooks do not get tangled as often in rubber nets.
The Hot Spot of the Week is Hicks and Terrapin Creeks. With cooling water temperatures, stripers are feeding near the channel edges throughout the day. Fishing has been excellent with approaching weather fronts. The lake level is 1.9' below full pond and the water surface temperature is in the fifties and low sixties
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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