Lessons Learned
 

I've been working the shore for a few years now, since getting back into fishing after a long time, and being a boat fisher before predominatly, had to learn an awful lot in short order about shore fishing...
For the first time the other night, I was fortunate enough to get into some fish in the 20 to "I think" 40 pound class. The reason "I think 40" is because I did not land a 40, but a 30 instead. I had another fish on that straightened out a 3x hook :af:

Moral to the story is: pay attention to what others with experience are willing to show / teach you, because they ain't BS'n about hooks straightening, line breaking from rock rubs (30 lb power pro by the way - I'll upgrade to 50 on my big rods after the other night --> but it still ain't bullet proof) fish diving into the rocks and head shakes and rub - offs in those rocks.

I just discovered how smart these 10 to 20 year old fish are.
Just like the sharpies said they were.

Thanks to all those that have tutored me over the last few years, this gave me an edge the other night, but there is still more to learn..

After all the time, money, aggravation, ect, ect. I can't wait for the next encounter. All worth it after the other night.

Oh ya - by the way- went back same spot next night - NADA - hellava nerve those fish have swimming away -

signed
boat to shore convert

........boat to shore convert[/QUOTE]..........

Beetle, nice fish but...... there is still time....at least don't totally convert yet...:D

Hey Jon how are ya
Not to worry - won't give up on boating - BUT
The shore has been much more of a challenge and to me a lot more rewarding.

last year i had numerous straightened hooks. After changing to a 12 foot long shock leader, the problem went away. (but im not fishing as much either so my odds are down)

Braid is great for improving hook up rates, but it can work agianst you as well. ripped lips for example.

were you using braid?

Sell the boat and save the dough!:tooth: Nice fish BEETLE!

Thanks Larry, you know how much I've put into it :wall:

Yes Nebe - 30 pound braid, which I had a break off, from prior fish rubbing rocks, and i did not follow what i had been taught, to check leaders and lines after fighting previous fish. :bc:

That's why the original post said I'll be up-grading those rods to 50 lb. braid

Beetle, nice fish and the 40 will come next weekend at the MDA

if your looking for braid with more abrasion resistance, I'd recommend looking a 30 lb fireline instead of 50 lb power pro. People will disagree but that's my opinion. Power pro casts better though so there is a tradeoff, as always.

Nice going Steve.

I am going to fish that "area" this weekend (from the boat though).

Wanna come?


I agree with NEBE on the braid, I lost many good sized fish last week and I think it was because the braid is too stiff and rips their lips. I am going to add a long leader (mono) and tie with a slim beauty.

I did not have problems with ripped lips that I noticed, my problem was with one particular fish that bent a hook sideways on a 3 oz. bucktail jig and got off.
The question that will always be unanswered is, did I have a "very good" fish on, or just a "good" fish that was able to hook around a rock and turn enough to bend the hook or get sideways in current ect, ??

One thing I've learned over the years is that if there is one weak spot in your gear, be it nicked leader, frayed braid, weak knots, the fish will find it. It never ceases to amaze me at the tenacity of these fish, and sometimes how easy they can be lost even when you think you've covered all the bases.
Never underestimate the big 'uns.
They hit light and fight hard.

I asked a related question on an other site that ditch jigger answered. He also suggested fireline or cortland for abrasion resistance. I had 80lb whiplash cut off :bc:... I am making the switch. Curious... what kind of hook in the jig? Could be a weak hook or the way it was in the fishes mouth. A painfull lesson I keep learning is that sometimes you think you are doing everything right and they still get away.

If the fish is running hard, and I mean HARD, then the chances of losing the fish do increase.
That's one reason to make sure you have your drag set before you start fighting those cows.

Breaking test for line.....
 

I must disagree with anyone using or advocating use of line with
a breaking test over 30 lbs. Beetle, your 30 lbs power pro was
more than enough and yes you probably did not check the
abrasion caused by a previous catch. If it was a particularly long
fight around rocks then the time taken to pull off 10 yards of line
and run it slowly through your fingers as you reel in is worth every
minute. For years I used 15 lb Ande mono with no problems on
fish up to 50 lbs. Use of 50 or 80lb test line is for commercial
guys--meat haulers. Might as well include an electric reel~!!!:af:

Keep at it my friend, beach fishing is the only way.

Take it for what it is worth, but if she straightened your hook, your drag was too tight and your line to strong. Give the fish more drag/line. 2 or 3 runs and a cow will tire her self out and come to the top. Then just hall her in. Tight drag will force short deep runs, into the rocks, a light drag will let her run far and out into the deeper water column.
Just my 2 cents worth…

I agree with baitfishing let her run they will stop and haul her in. the line u have on is good line ,like Nebe said a shock leader is good to have around the rocks. :think:

nice fish Beetle:kewl: :kewl: :kewl:

tight drag & braid = straighten hooks and ripped lips
mono = loss of casting distance
gotta find the right combo.....different for different places
some places you can't let them run and have to stand your ground
I,ve been fishing the same spots for years and...sometimes you win...and sometimes the fish wins.....still looking for the perfect line
right now using 50# PP and 20# yozuri hybrid........

oh ya.....I learned the line and leader lesson the hard way.....being lazy costs BIG time

I agree with what I heard Crazy Alberto and others say....30# PP is not really like 30# test.....go with 40 or 50......

Hmmmm, braid + tight drag, - that is most likely the cause. The fish made hard fast runs and then - plink - off. I was more agressive in this particular spot to keep the fish from going downcurrent and fouling into some chunk baiters to my right side.
Plus i have some phobia about the fish going to the the deeper water and faster current, but when given time to think on it, i think it would the opposite. :huh:

As is typical for a spot like this, I had one fool cast a storm shad over my line, while fighting one of the fish, but he quickly freed it when i barked at him. :realmad:


by now some of you (slingah) can probably figure where i was fishing, - been there the last two days after work, - back to normal mode - just schoolies. :hee:

Great thread and congrats on your great night,
On the drag subject I leave mine so I can just pull it out by hand and if I need to I thumb the spool if I want to slow it down some. I use a 4 foot leader and never seem to have a problem.

copy that tattoobob, looking to do the RI tournament next weekend, my new improved methods will hopefully be put to practice. :uhuh:

amen!
boats are still fun though! :grins:

NIce fish Beetle :claps:
braid is great, use a 12' shock leader of flouro , it works...

i learned a good leasson last night....turn their friggin head...Quick!! :wall:

I used to agree w/ you Bart, but I learned the opposite lesson recently.
I found letting good size fish run 2-3 times would tire them out, and I could bring them in on top easily. When I tried stopping them right off, they bulldogged into the rocks and were more likely to scrape and break the line or pull the hook while green.
I know you have to stop fish when there are pots & buoys around, though

Thats a tough one to call Bart. I've had it go both ways with me recently. One time I locked when I should have backed off, and vice versa. Same goes for some fish I've landed recently too. Backed off and caught good ones, locked and caught good ones. Damned either way. Just keep doing what you are doing, the results will come.

I think it all depends on the spot and structure...

yeah this year i subscribed to the theory that its better to just let them run and they'll eventually tire out. but last night this fish went the opposite direction they normally do in this spot when they run and had me in the rocks real quick. under normal circumstances i think i would've landed her.

you're right tho, damned if you do, damned if you don't.....

Yeah had to chase one like that last week to get her, couldnt bring her back across some rocks she zig-zaged around