Taken to the rocks... What do YOU do? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JFigliuolo · 07-25-2007, 08:35 AM

My biggest dilema is what to do when a big fish takes me into the rocks. I'm talkiing about when you can feel the fish rubbing you off...

I've lost the battle more times than I've won it. Any tips?

Happened to me the other night... again.

luds · 07-25-2007, 08:42 AM

I lost a fish that I would have guessed to be about 30#s the other night and another that felt about 20. Both on plugs. With plugs I think all you can do is pray. I let the first fish take some drag and she hung me up in the rocks. I didn't give the second fish anything and I pulled hooks. I exclusively use braid. I'm going to give mono a shot at one spot I fish to see if it helps change my results. I'm thinking I can fish with a tighter drag and worry less about pulling or straightening the hooks.

With an eel and and a j or circle hook I would just put the screws to them. Usually works for me as long as I get a good hook set.

Rockport24 · 07-25-2007, 08:43 AM

When I hook a big fish in the rocks I'll let you know as I forgot what it was like...

decksweeper · 07-25-2007, 08:56 AM

I tighten down and horse them through it. knock on wood---been very lucky with 50# PP....

nightprowler · 07-25-2007, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

My biggest dilema is what to do when a big fish takes me into the rocks. I'm talkiing about when you can feel the fish rubbing you off...

I've lost the battle more times than I've won it. Any tips?

Happened to me the other night... again.

What I have done several times is actually take the line off of the roller so the fish has some slack. Not enough that she can throw the hook, but often times when the pressure is let up the fish will move away from the rocks. Usually once I give slack I keep the line in my fingers so that I can feel the fish moving and keep some amount of tension on the line to avoid it getting hung up on other rocks.
Another trick that an old timer taught me was to "pluck" the line like a guitar string. Especially when fishing deeper water (canal). Supposedly this irritates the fish and brings it to the surface. Im not 100% sold on this, but I will say that on two separate occasions I had a fish dig down in the rocks and used both techniques and was able to land the fish.

fishaholic18 · 07-25-2007, 09:02 AM

Well, your best bet is to turn the fish b4 she gets into the rocks, but if she does, I will usually let he take some line and hopefully she will come out of the rocks and run. The worst thing you can do is pull a tight line, it will increase your chances of a break off. Make sure you are using a long mono leader, I use about 10' of at least 50# test.

JFigliuolo · 07-25-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decksweeper

I tighten down and horse them through it. knock on wood---been very lucky with 50# PP....

The fish isn't in a boulder field you can "weave" them through. I'm talking about the fish nosing down with a rock between itself and you, actively rubbing off the plug. OR wedging the line in the cracks between a boulder or three.

Back Beach · 07-25-2007, 09:31 AM

Open the bail or free spool. Got my best fish last year doing this. Couple of my old cape buddies still fish commercially with 50# pp and do serious damage in the rocks. When they have a large fish that goes into the rocks, they free spool or open the bail, lay the rod down in the boat, and check every few minutes to see if its freed up. These guys catch enough fish to make you puke, so its advice well taken. It will work more often than it fails. Works from the surf too. The trick is knowing when to stop horsing and give in a little, which comes from experience.

In The Surf · 07-25-2007, 09:42 AM

Wow, just saw a somewhat similar question and so is the answer. In these areas I use 3-4 ft of 60-80lb Orvis Mirage Fluoro leaders. Learning to play the rocks can be tricky and takes a knack to develop but can be done by most anyone. Once they sound into the rocks you want to keep even pressure but not a ton like your trying to horse them. I like to maintain contact for a feel of what they're doing. Don't want to get rubbed which is why you want some pressure on them. When you feel a little give bring them up/in. If no give at all I may bow the rod or take a wrap or two off to let up for a second or two to see what happens. Trying to encourage the fish to do something like turn, give, relax, swing the other way around a rock or whatever so I can get back to reeling in or the fish taking line.
This has worked many times even when fish have fully encircled a rock and cinched the line down. I have lost one maybe two decent fish in some of the boniest areas employing this technique but landed many nice ones. Hope this helps.
__________________

decksweeper · 07-25-2007, 09:46 AM

Joe, who said anything about weaving through boulder fields...You asked what people do. I have no doubt that what I've done is even close to what people think is most effective. Just figured I'd be honest and throw out a reply of what I typically do. I think I should just go back to lurking...

JFigliuolo · 07-25-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decksweeper

Joe, who said anything about weaving through boulder fields...You asked what people do. I have no doubt that what I've done is even close to what people think is most effective. Just figured I'd be honest and throw out a reply of what I typically do. I think I should just go back to lurking...

Whoa... didn't mean to rile (sp) you up. just wanted to make sure I was clear enough in my question. There are times when I can horse the fish and times that I can't. It was the latter that is kicking my but.

JFigliuolo · 07-25-2007, 10:02 AM

[QUOTE=... I think I should just go back to lurking...[/QUOTE]

That would be a shame, although you may not have been fishing too long you've got more than a few decent fish under your belt. You gotta be doing something right.

jim sylvester · 07-25-2007, 10:16 AM

lets not get in a pissing contest over this

to each his own...what works for some may not work for others

i agree with you joe...for a couple of years decksweeper has already broke the 30 lb mark.....and a lot of 20's........he's comfortable with what he is doing and it works

here's my take on it.......

just as landing a fish in the surf....its a case senario kind of thing

you need to feel the fish....feel what she is doing

if her nose is down, rubbing....take some line off and let her think she broke free.......then put the screws to her quick before she gets her head back down

if its a fish just holding on a rock with her body.....with steady pressure I can usually move her

again...everyone does their own thing

this is what works for ME

DZ · 07-25-2007, 10:22 AM

Ahhh – the age old problem when hooking the big one. Lot’s of personal experience with this scenario on both the winning and losing end. One thing I’ve noticed that really increased my odds of landing big fish in the stones was using heavy tackle. With tackle there is a fine line between controlling the bass and the bass having their way with you. When I first started surfcasting some 35 years ago I used a 9 foot medium action rod and Penn 704 with 15-20 pound mono. My hook-up and land ratio with that outfit had me crying more often than not. The bass would go where they wanted and my plug was just along for the ride until the bass found bottom where they would straighten my trebles and/or I would break off.

I finally began to beef up my gear to 10-11 foot medium heavy sticks with 20 pound mono and my hook-up/land ratio went way up. Now when I hook-up I’m in control with MOST of my bass. I fish a very tight drag and the stretch of mono gives me a level of insurance. With the heavier gear you also have a good shot at pulling them out of the rocks should they bury themselves in it. Generally if I can still feel movement when a bass is buried I can horse them out. If you don’t feel movement they’re probably long gone and you’ll be lucky to get your plug back with some corn on the cob holder trebles. Treble hooks are your enemy in the rocks, exposed trebles during a hook-up with a big bass are a snag waiting to happen. Using a presentation with a strong single hook will also increase your odds at landing a monster. As bad as rockweed can be during a hook-up consider that without it you would constantly be cut off by rocks. Rockweed protects your line. Beef up your gear – not very sporting with small fish but if you want to land your share of big bass it’s the way to go.

parker23 · 07-25-2007, 10:49 AM

When I am fishing in the rock w/plugs I use a 20' 60# - 80# leader tied to 65# Sufix braid. Horse the fish out of the rocks as soon as it hits. I crank like crazy before they start their innitial run and pray for the best. Sucks losing a nice fish in the rocks, however, thats where they live

ThrowingTimber · 07-25-2007, 11:05 AM

For what its worth if you already have a line of sight where you are planning on landing the fish, and it is either taking line or you lose control of it and its going into boulders to throw the hook I always go easy on 'em sometimes giving them line etc like BB is suggesting now it killed me to do this the first few times, but they come right up , for all their whit theyre dumb

Now if I've got the fish in the line I've figured to be my best bet for landing I skate the freakin things.

I'm surprised being high up like that and what not your first instict isnt to lift the fishes head out the water to disorient it then drop the hammer and skate it on in at light speed.

80#lb mono leader or 50-60 lb flouro. If theyre hitting a lure with multiple trebles on it, they arent really leader shy

J if your prepared to swim you can always chase it down also. But with the water heating up its a roll of the dice when youre chasing that leader down as to whats on the other end.

SeaWolf · 07-25-2007, 01:03 PM

i think most have put forth excellent answers to this more than typical problem - dealing w/ large in heavy structure, such as rocks.

i have personally had several of the same battles. some i've won, others i've lost. each instance i had to assemble each item, weigh it, and then determine what my best scenario was to increase my odds of landing this queen. these scenarios might include what rod i was fishing with (hvy, med, light), what my line strength and composition was (line - hvy, med, light; compostion - braid or mono), what the conditions were like (crowded, alone, w/ someon, blitz, calm waters, deep or fast moving water you couldnt wade into), etc.

i can remember on more than one occasion i was fishing in a steady pull of fish that were decent, but the conditions were not ideal - a little crowded, at night, rough surf, lines all over...then, you're on and she's pullin' good. first off, i'm generally fishing a hvy rod, hvy line, hvy leader so i have that to my advantage. but, the crowds, surf and/or lines were not to my advantage where i could run back and forth to try and help my situation of landing a fish. so, i had to muscle the fish in, whether it was between rocks, around rocks, or whatever. on most occasions, i'd win. however, there were times that i had to accept the fact that i may lose this fish, but i was being somewhat courteous by not stopping others from fishing while i fought my fish. if we were talking a fish over 40, i may ask for some cooperation though. in general though, i'm trying to stop this fish and gain as much line as quickly as i can.

a few others times i was alone, fishing w/ a friend or friends, or was with only another angler nearby. now, you're on. i will still try and muscle that fish in, but i may try and see where this fish is stuck or rubbing in rocks. i have disengaged the clutch on my casting reel w/ my thumb as the only drag to let the fish run a little w/ the hope it will turn directions, pull the line over the rock, or at least rub it in a newer section of line. it's work a couple times, but usually you now when you will most likely lose. i will not typically do this w/ a spinning reel.

i learned long ago, put as many issues you can control to your advantage before you wet a line and when that day comes to fight that queen you will be happy with your success to loss ratio. hvy lines, hvy leaders, med/hvy rods, dependable reel and drag. light tackle is fun, but you will have a lot of heartbreaks...

Canalman · 07-25-2007, 03:33 PM

I keep my drag winched and use a 15 foot section of 40-80 pound mono for a shock leader. Even the largest of the bass I catch hardly take any drag... it's the only way as far as I'm concerned.

-Dave

piemma · 07-25-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

The fish isn't in a boulder field you can "weave" them through. I'm talking about the fish nosing down with a rock between itself and you, actively rubbing off the plug. OR wedging the line in the cracks between a boulder or three.

Had one straighten 3/0 3X strong, 3years ago at a reef in Narragansett. 1:00 AM, full moon, flat calm and this moose takes my black joined pikie that Ii just finished making. I could feel her rubbing the plug on the ledge. After about 2 or 3 minutes....nothing but the plug comes back with the metal lip all bent to hell and the front treble is mangled with one tine straight as and arrow.

Pt.JudeJoe · 07-25-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

The fish isn't in a boulder field you can "weave" them through. I'm talking about the fish nosing down with a rock between itself and you, actively rubbing off the plug. OR wedging the line in the cracks between a boulder or three.

In that case you gotta give him slack and hope for the best because if you keep the line tight you KNOW you are gonna brake off.

tattoobob · 07-25-2007, 08:46 PM

once the bass gets down in the rocks and I can't move it I give the line some slack and hope the fish feels that and comes out. I have won and lost this way

Nebe · 07-25-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canalman

I keep my drag winched and use a 15 foot section of 40-80 pound mono for a shock leader. Even the largest of the bass I catch hardly take any drag... it's the only way as far as I'm concerned.

-Dave

same here- Plus, the rod you do this with makes a huge difference- for me the only one is the SB-1213m -its got just enough flex

zimmy · 07-25-2007, 08:59 PM

I had this dilemma in a spot in the canal where I got cut off by large bass twice. A couple weekends ago I hooked a good one at the same spot. After a while I could feel the line rubbing. I pretty much had control of the fish, but the angle was an issue. Several times when I felt the tension and rubbing increase I dropped the rod and let the line go slack for a good while. Each time when I did this and then started reeling, the rubbing had decreased. Eventually I got the fish past the trouble spot. I took it slow and got the fish in by gently working against the current since I knew the line was likely damaged. Got the fish in, my buddy unhooked it while I grabbed my camera, took a few pictures and released it. When I picked up my rod, I started to reel up the slack and found that my jig wasn't there. I went down where the fish was unhooked and found my braid was cut off about a foot above my 30 in. or so mono leader. Must have been really frayed and broke completely when my buddy unhooked it, although he had no idea. I can't imagine how close I was to losing my 3rd big bass at this spot (which may have lead to some good deals on buy and sell) , although I knew I was in trouble during the fight. Turned out to be my personal best. Anyway, the point is the slack seemed to help big time.

NIB · 07-25-2007, 09:58 PM

Well I know one thing for certain..If u are not winning any battles u have to make a change.
The key is to keep ur head.U have to stay calm so u can figure out what is going on an how to approach ur next move.I prefer to loosen up an wait em out.It's a fine line.Ideally a limp line lets the fish think it is off.U have to watch it (the Line) don't end up in more junk.
U give em too much line they might rap u up then ur basiaclly dead.Sometimes it happens so fast there is nothing u can do.
I went over this in another thread.I like a drag on the loose side. I can always cup the spool.I hate loosening it during the battle.Leaves me in a position where I have no idea of where my drag is set.I also prefer a 11 ft rod.This gets me a higher angle alot of times I can get the line over,around rocks.Plus the long rod gives me plenty of line to bow to the fish when they get near ya for the last ditch effort escape.There are times a good hit will almost pull u off some preacarious perches.Thats another reason for the loose drag.Along with the fact i use braid an the no stretch factor.If I had to fish up there I might go to mono.I been a braid guy so long tho not sure i could do it.

Slingah · 07-25-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIB

Well I know one thing for certain..If u are not winning any battles u have to make a change.
.

no better advise on surfcasting has been givin than this....I'm serious...
adapting....still my biggest hurdle...

cheferson · 07-26-2007, 12:01 AM

This season when fish have been making long runs, ive started to smack my rod. As soon as i smack my rod the fish stopped dead in there tracks. I dont have a lot of experience doing this , but every time i have tried it has worked.

NIB · 07-26-2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingah

no better advise on surfcasting has been givin than this....I'm serious...
adapting....still my biggest hurdle...

Thanks..
The old adadge, U have to pay ur dues.Still applies.
Sure u know of the story of the guy with the white rod,reel upside down,landin a 48 lber on a scup rig in the middle of the day.(True story)Thats fish suicide.U've read all the books, u have the right gear,U learn ur favorite spot, u know where they will lie.An when the big girls come by,U loose every one.Sooner or later u have to figure it out.Or take up golf.I think every good angler has lost there share of good fish.Face it if u where not a good angler u would not even have the chance.It's all about balance an scales.U can't win em all..I remember one time Livelining a Bad (good) jetty.I broke four good fish off in a row.I went to 80 lb braid an 100 lb leader with the intentions of standing em on there heads an draggin em in.I figure I a 250 lb man whats a 50 lb fish gonna do to me.
Ha..Said the fish..
I came to the conclusion that brute strength is not always the answer.
Next time it happened to me I just let em go an killed em on the end of the line.Dragged the fish back 30 yds.6 inches at a time