Calling all BFT live bait fisherman

[c parks]

I've been getting a lot of feedback on everything I did wrong in regards to losing a big fish last weekend. (By the way I hooked up 1/2 hr. after low tide during a 1.2kt drift with a southwest wind in 200' of water. 130 penn 150lb floro leader with a circle hook bridled live mack. under a balloon at 30')

I know there's more than one way to skin a cat but I would like to get some feedback from other fisherman out there in regards to their routine. Setup, leader, drag weight, hook size, live mack-blue-pogie, under a balloon, drift or not, water depth. How far out do you let out the balloon during drift.
Also once you set out bait where do you leave drag? When the fish hits on a circle hook reel hard, slow, do a 2 count?etc. Use the boat to take out bow in line etc.
my available rods2) 130's (1) 70 (1) 50

thanks in advance to any and all feedback.

C

[teddyp]

I've been getting a lot of feedback on everything I did wrong in regards to losing a big fish last weekend. (By the way I hooked up 1/2 hr. after low tide during a 1.2kt drift with a southwest wind in 200' of water. 130 penn 150lb floro leader with a circle hook bridled live mack. under a balloon at 30')

I know there's more than one way to skin a cat but I would like to get some feedback from other fisherman out there in regards to their routine. Setup, leader, drag weight, hook size, live mack-blue-pogie, under a balloon, drift or not, water depth. How far out do you let out the balloon during drift.
Also once you set out bait where do you leave drag? When the fish hits on a circle hook reel hard, slow, do a 2 count?etc. Use the boat to take out bow in line etc.
my available rods2) 130's (1) 70 (1) 50

thanks in advance to any and all feedback.

C

How did you lose the fish. Popped the leader? Pulled the hook?

[SteveH2112]

Reel in gear, 25lbs drag, live bait HD hook 10/0 or larger depending on bait,mono bridal as short as possible, leader crimped not tied,reel like mad until drag is being pulled off reel. Get situated and let the fish get away from the boat a little before putting the screws to it some.

Also maybe you want to refresh us on how the fish was lost.

[gmoney]

on a 130 the drag should be at least 45 pounds at the button, and be left there always.

[tunanut]

on a 130 the drag should be at least 45 pounds at the button, and be left there always.

I agree mostly. Haven't you ever had fish doing violent head shakes? I find that backing off and letting them swim, repositioning, then putting the heat back on prevents them from working a hole in their jaw and the hook falling out. Other than that 45# @ strike and leave it alone.

[c parks]

How did you lose the fish. Popped the leader? Pulled the hook?

busted the leader after a second burst straight down

[Tunacious-45]

I agree with the pin/strike drag setting of 45lbs. I'm at 46lb. Also leave at half drag when fishing. Once fish is running and all other gear is in...slowly push lever up to pin.

I do disagree on one point (everyone has different feelings). After 30mins I usually push the lever just over the pin. My feeling is "stop them or pop them" and typically the drag lightens up during a fight.

Reason you lost your fish is simple. 150lb leader and the drag was propably too high. 45lbs is way too much for 150lb in the beginning of a fight. Early in the fight the drag isnt heated up and the drag could be "sticky". After fighting for awhile the fish doesn't have that crazy burst power to pop the line before the drag can react.

Good Luck and Try 200lb floro.

[Bill_N]

I didn't see where C Parks said what the drag setting was. The other thing that wasn't mentioned is whether your mainine is braid or mono. Mono is much more forgiving than braid and you will get more pulled hooks and busted leaders with braid. I'd back off the drag a bit initially if your maniline is braid.

[teddyp]

Did the leader break at the crimp? Your terminal tackle needs to be perfect on every fish, crimp size needs to match leader size and crimped the correct way so make sure that’s up to snuff. Also don't be afraid to check your drags out on the water mid day. The sun and heat can change that setting. I agree with having enough drag to set the hook and then when the angler is in the chair or straddling the boards pushing the drag up to 45lbs. Don't try to move the rod once the drag is pushed up.

[c parks]

I didn't see where C Parks said what the drag setting was. The other thing that wasn't mentioned is whether your mainine is braid or mono. Mono is much more forgiving than braid and you will get more pulled hooks and busted leaders with braid. I'd back off the drag a bit initially if your maniline is braid.

Mono- and For some reason my brother played with the drag setting on the rod at the start of the day. Usually I test everything at least once during the trip out but for some reason I did not this particular time. The drag was incorrectly calibrated at around 60lbs just below strike. Wont happen again.