Schtickin it!

[Piscineidiot]

Not a thread so much based on rods themselves, but how to use them when it comes to turning a big fish intent on burying you.

So, do we favour the 'high-stick', going straight into the pump and wind, or a low, sweeping rod angle to place as much pressure on the fish as possible for as long as possible?

Considering how many of you manage to pull decent fish from snags, I'd be very interested to know how people fish differently. That, and I think this is one of those things that's been learnt through experience more than anything, and it could probably help a newbie when they hook up to that PB.

Cheers,

Owen

[Shortlite]

You baiting me Owen? This depends on a lot of factors.

On open areas, for the first few runs, it is best to get your rod tip up to clear the line from any obstacles in the water. Most often employed on the flats.

In a snag, a low rod angle gets you into the power zone of the rod faster, enabling you to apply heat to turn fish away for structure.

A low rod angle sometimes helps keep jumpers down in the water. In addition, pulling at a low angle allows you to move stubborn fish along the seabed, rather than trying to lift them off.

Now, in terms of mechanics, it's simple which is better. Your rod is a lever. Greater arm, greater leverage. So, a longer rod held higher, puts a bit more strain on you, the angler, becuae the pivot is at your hand. By lowering your rod angle, you decrease the right angle moment against you, effectively shortening the rod. You can put heat on a fish without too much strain working against you.

In addition, the way a rod is tapered means that keeping a bend only in the tip (high sticking) puts less pressure on a fish than a low angle, as I've mentioned before. Less pressure can lead to dropped hooks.

[Piscineidiot]

Nah mate, not baiting you,

These days I do a bit of both, and apparently, in order to get some of those big bream from out under the docks on ridiculously light leader, a lot of anglers are bent on just cranking the poor buggers in without any significant rodwork.

There's also the way the AFC tournament anglers fish. You haven't gotten a chance to watch 'em, but a lot of them do a lot of high sticking, though to be fair, they also do a lot of what you keep telling me I should do more often.

[yellow door 1]

Yeh very complex question.

The only general rule when using leaders of 7lb (on the heavy side with the blokes I fish with) is hard and fast.

Pylon fishing, undercut ledges, rock banks and sunken branches all have a different technique.

Pylons are where the most amount of descisions need to be made in the least amount of time. (thats just for the sort of snags I cast at)

With the other 3 you usually have something to pull away from. Then all you have to choose is the angle of the rod.

With the pylons you are always trying to pull the fish towards another set of problems. Roof gets in the way and so does the pylon you are trying to pull the fish towards. And directional changes are a favourite technique of the pylon fish. The only way to combat this is to reel as fast as you can and let the reel do more work than usual.

[Piscineidiot]

Yeah, I hear what you're saying Lawrence.

I find that when you're fishing with a 6'6" rod, in amongst the pylons, you've next to no manoeuvreability (I've NO idea if I spelt that correctly, mind you). Try to sweep the rod out to the side and you hit the opposite pylon, lift it up and you hit the roof. All in all, I think you're right. In those situations, you've either got to use a shorter rod, or make the reel do more work than usual. Especially if the fish are adept at making quick direction changes when given the slack to do so.

Owen

[DAGGA]

Another thing to take into consideration when applying alot of pressure to fish around pylons, if your applying alot of pressure upwards and the fish snaps off then your rod straightens up slamming into the roof and most likely demolishing your rod tip.

[Shortlite]

Yeah dagga, a bit of experience, eh? I smashed 2 Alconite tops that way. Not cool at 8 bucks a pop.

Owen, under structure I'd go a similar way as setting a circle hook. Of course you'll be using a short jab to get the point in, but what you essentially do is point at the fish and reel like hell after sticking him.

PM'd you about my short blank.

[crabcrusher]

Owen theres many a factor to consider here. It also depends on what sort of lures your using as well , to fish these structures . If your casting a light jig head on 4lb fireline into the back of a set of pylons ,in the Docks , there is a 70% chance youll get busted up .The lower the lure gets in the water the more structure (pylons) you have to pull it past . I dont believe that rod action can prove to effective when your fighting a fish on cotton in an area 3m by 3m wide and 5m deep , which is laiden with razor sharp barnacles either side .
Your best bet is to fish the surface , getting the bream that are feeding in the top 1m,that way you can keep the fish from going deeper your got minimal structure to weave him through .So lock up the drag , and chuck on some 8lb.This may not be a way you believe is effective , its JMO.

[Piscineidiot]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Crabcrusher, chucking on the heavier line and trying to catch the fish up top is exactly what I do around the docks. If I can help it, I fish with 10lb trace. I very much doubt the longevity of 5lb in around that lot. ESPECIALLY when attached to an expensive little HB I only have one of.

Dagga, that's a bloody good point...I'd forgotten about the rod tip suddenly straightening...Many a time I've had a lure catapult out of the water in the open for the same reason.

As for the alconite tops Ted, that must've stung. I've checked my PM's and replied.

Cheers,

Owen