10' Saltwater Pole

[PROKHAOS]

I was wondering if there are any secrets on feeling the bits with a 10' ft pole. I mean with my 8' the pole actually bends when I get hit, but the 10' won't. Any tips would be great. Thanks


Kev

[TheSpecialist]

Pro are you fishing a conventional or a spinning rod? Surf or boat? Are you chunking, live bait, plugs??? These things are important for an answer.

[ragfly]

braided line makes a big difference on the feel factor. I use a 10' Ben Doerr spinning rod with fireline for chunking mackerel. I can feel the slightest pickup. The big secret is keeping your line in touch with the bait. Don't let it slack to much.

[Patrick]

It depends on a lot of things. What is the rod made of? If it's made of fiberglass, it's going to be a bit slower. Graphite is more sensitive.

Also, it depends on the taper. From my understanding, a fishing rod is made by wrapping pieces of cloth around a steel mandrel and impregnating it with some sort of flexible resin. Now the shape of the original cloth when laid out flat will determine the action of the rod.

Once it is made, there is no way to change the actual action of the rod.

I wouldn't use braid to baitfish. Baitfishing means you have to allow the fish to pick up your bait and get it in a good position. If you use braid or a non stretch line, he is going to feel that stiff fishing rod on the otherside. Mono has stretch to it. That's usually bad but when baitfishing, it gives you a little more time for it to swallow the bait.

What I would do, hold the rod. Hook the line under your forefinger. It will be easier to feel the hits.

[JohnR]

Disregard most of Patrick's post as I would be far more interested in the words of a practicing Ledge Lizard like Ragfly than a preaching wharfrat :P (Patrick - Ragfly knows a little more about this than you do) The only thing I'll add is that too many meat fisherman spend too much time not at the wheel. Meaning they are sitting 3 feet from the pole doing an Al Bundy instead of having the hands on the fishing rod... Keeping in contact with your line means your right next to your pole... When fishing two rods, cast them apart but spike them very close together...

[Patrick]

I use the same set up as Ragfly. 10 foot Ben Doerr with Fireline. I don't like it for baitfishing. I much rather use monofilament for the baitfishing thing. I'm not saying Fireline WON'T work but mono's stretching properties come in handy when you want a little more time for the fish to get her death grip on your bait.

Fireline's less stretch not only allows you to feel what the fish is doing but it allows the fish to feel what YOU are doing. ProKhaos is using this long stiff meat stick. John, since I'm just a preaching wharfrat, how long do YOU think it's going to take a striper feel this big meat stick with Fireline? If ProKhaos is using the Al Bundy method, I'm thinking that fish will drop the bait before he can even get there. If he's fast and he's holding the rod and everything goes flawless, sure it's possible to hook the fish.

This is my take on the situation. This comes with FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE, I remind you.

Prokhaos, it boils down to a personal preference though. Personally, I love fireline for plugging and I praise it everytime I have the chance but for baitfishing applications, I stick to mono.

[JohnR]

Patrick, if he's in contact with the pole and line, fireline or mono - he has an edge and he satisfies (hopefully) his need to tell when he gets the hit...

Prokhaos, the key thing is often the most difficult - keeping in contact with your line. That can be very difficult at ties, especially when your mind starts making you think the rod tip is moving or that you "feel" the hit... Another option is to fish the circle hooks with the reel in free spool or baitrunner mode (if it has that feature), rod spiked at 60 degrees and let 'em run.... Keep in mind that I rarely chunk from shore because I quickliy go out of my mind... One of the beautiful things about eeling and plugging is that the constant work makes paying attention a little easier... Hope this helps...

[PROKHAOS]

THANKS everyone!!

[Saltheart]

If you are actively fishing as John describes , you can feel the line. An old trick is to put your index finger over the line and you thumb undre it. Turn your wrist so you push the line down with your finger and up with your thumb. Then you can feel even a skate nibbling on your bait. If you wait too long to set the hook , the fish will be gut hooked. You want to avoid that for stripers since a lot will be undersize and therefore must be released.

[ragfly]

I only use one rod "the Death Staff" when chunking. I have it in my hands at all times. I am constantly working it very very slow, always feeling the bottom. The Thing I can compare it to is nymph fishing on bottom for trout. Fireline is a key factor, as for the fish to "get a death grip" I use circle hooks 6/0 Gama's. I have a 95% hook up rate and 99% of them are hooked in the corner of the mouth. I do have to give credit were credit is due...... I learned this technique from the grand master.... The Chunker of Death