Springer bites?

[willierower]

Here is a question for you drift fisherman. When useing bait for salmon, either eggs or sandshrimp. How long do you let the fish chew on it before you sink the steel?
I fished the South Santiam monday morning. I hooked 3 nookers and only landed one. The first 2 I hooked were barely hooked in the snout and they came unpinned at the bank. The one I landed was hooked down in the throat past the gills. The first 2 fish I set up on as soon as I elt them. The last one I kinda fed it to him by dropping the rod tip towards the fish and reeling slowly until I felt it again, Then I set up. I also had a few other bites but I think I jumped the gun on them.
So what do you guys/gals do? I want to bring my hook up land ratio up a little.

[SteelieSteve]

I normally set the hook when I feel a bite. Some fish just mouth it lightly and spit while others slam it when it comes at them. Setting the hook when you feel them gets some of those light biters.

[Artwo]

I do the same thing you did on your third fish, once I feel the bite I tip the rod toward them and let them suck it down. When I'm in my DB running diver and bait and see the rod start to go down I'll push forward on the oars just a little and let them suck it right in. I will only set the hook when the rod is doubled over and even then you don't have to be to aggressive on the set. Were you at the dam bank fishing for you hook-ups, drop me an e-mail if you'ld like.

JK

[Firedog]

I will feed them till I can feel the weight of the fish.In my experience once a springer starts on a egg and shrimp bait they rarely stop, once in awhile but not often. Drift fishing is my favorite way to catch springers, Takes patience.

[Tanner]

Feed Them, Feed Them, Feed Them!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is just like backbouncing, have patience and Feed Them!!!!

[Sand Shrimp]

It also depends on what type of presentation you are making.If the fish takes while your gear is starting to swing or on the swing I think you are better of waiting to set the hook so that he turns his head away from you.Also if you are getting bites and not hooking the fish try waiting a little longer.It's amazing how far some fish will follow the bait before they take it good.