Lesson learned - hooks

ampersat · 12-04-2003, 06:38 PM

Floated one of our fine coastal rivers earlier this week with FWF1. Took me three hookups to finally land one, a nook hen that went about 25#. Quite the battle on my steelie drift rod 20# power pro, 10# leader and #2 hook. We had to pull anchor twice to chase her down. It was a truly epic battle.

Anyway, the first fish was on for almost a minute (or so it seemed) and then poof! I was expecting broken line but got my entire rig back. Baited up and went back to casting and got into a hot jumper about twenty minutes later. One leap, it darted directly at the boat, I lost pressure on the hook and poof! I was baffled. I checked the hook and it was still "sticky sharp". Went back to fishing and finally got one to stick, thankfully.

Anyway, I just happened to have these leaders tied up from silver season and decided to use them instead of tying up new ones. Had I been using a more appropriately sized hook, I probably would've gotten all three fish to stick. Just as there is no one rod that suits all fishing occasions, no one hook does either.

SteelieSteve · 12-04-2003, 06:44 PM

#2 hook? 1/0 or 2/0 in winter, use good quality hooks and sharpen. Owners, eagle claw, mustad, Gami's(don't sharpen). You use larger drift bobbers so you also must use a larger hook that is larger than the corkie or whatever.

12-04-2003, 06:53 PM

Nice Chinook Doug. Chris is a great person and fish finder.

David Johnson · 12-04-2003, 06:54 PM

It's all about the details and making every opportunity count.

I recently saw another fishermand break off a chinook. He was using the same leader he caught two fish on earlier in the week and never changed it. He lost his only chance for the day.

Give Murphy's Law and chance and he'll win.

KingFisher85 · 12-04-2003, 06:55 PM

FWF1 let you use #2??? he made me use #4!!!

Born to be Wild · 12-04-2003, 06:59 PM

Amper, what ya doin' with #2 hooks?

I use a #2 or #1 for coho and catch some big fish on them but for winters I use a #1 or 1/0.
So #2 will definately work for winters but I never see anybody go that small on winters.
(Little bit on the small side for nooks I'd think). :grin:
Do you normally go that small on winters?

Dano

ampersat · 12-04-2003, 09:29 PM

I don't normally use any particular sized hook for anything (except 4/0 for herring and big bobber). I'm still refining my skills and proper hook selection is one of those things that apparently needs some work. However, my curing of eggs is apparently coming along nicely. :grin: All three fish were hooked on silver eggs I cured up this fall.

Wet_Willy · 12-05-2003, 07:20 AM

Amp,
I mainly use #1 Gamas on 10# maxima leader for winter steelhead. This time of year when both nooks and steel are present I will sometimes use a 1/0 hook on 12# leader but if I am targeting steelhead pretty much all winter long it is 10# maxima ug with #1 Gama hooks. I also change out a new leader after each fish or abrasion in the line or dulled hook. Some days you only get one opportunity...I like to go home with fish in the box or on film...
Bill

[ 12-05-2003, 08:21 AM: Message edited by: Wet_Willy ]

David Johnson · 12-05-2003, 09:15 AM

I'll point out that in my story above about changing the leader and the guy didn't after two fish....it was 40# leader, but I will change after each fish even with 40 and 50# leaders.

DanS · 12-05-2003, 09:37 AM

The size of your drift bobber should tell you what size hook to use. Your corkie/cheater/whatever should be able to fit between the point and shank of your hook.

I use #2 hooks for winter steelhead all the time. But if the water is high and/or dirty and I'm using a larger drift bobber, I'll go to a larger hook.

ampersat · 12-05-2003, 10:09 AM

That's a great tip for sizing your hook to the corkie, DanS. Does anyone disagree with this rule of thumb?

David Johnson · 12-05-2003, 10:22 AM

It's a pretty common known rule to fish by.

Full Freezer · 12-05-2003, 10:34 AM

Thanks for the tips guys!

I had been wondering about hook sizes myself.

Full Freezer

Wet_Willy · 12-05-2003, 10:56 AM

Amp,
Another tip with Corkies is if you want to stick with a smaller hook #2 but want a bigger presence or float the bait higher, use two small corkies instead of jumping up to a larger hook and corky. Just a variation to keep in mind. Be versatile.
Bill

DanS · 12-05-2003, 10:57 AM

Another good tip there from Wet Willy.

scooby · 12-05-2003, 02:20 PM

I agree with matching hook to lure size. Not sure why so many people are making a big deal about using #2 for winter steelhead there really is not that big of a difference in hook gap size from a #2 to a #1. I think at times a smaller hook can be better,especially when targeting winter brats. Some of the little hens have a pretty small mouth.

Maybe the reason you lost those fish was just one of those days.

verysweepy · 12-05-2003, 03:07 PM

I was shopping for some hooks the other day for steelhead and was comparing the diffrence between a #1 and a #2 hook and the diffrence wasn't that great, I like the smaller hook because I like to fish smaller corkies.

Thumper · 12-05-2003, 03:59 PM

DanS --- I knew that!

(No I didn't --- thanks [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] )

Chris Nordling · 12-05-2003, 06:13 PM

Well ampersat I don't think it was hook size that cost you the acrobatic steelie, that fish just tossed the hook, and was at a weird angle to your rod when it jumped. :whazzup:

Now the first fish(we assumed nookie) could have been hook size, but we also discussed some other possibilities( rod angle, hook set, etc..)

You had your shot at a limit, it wasn't in the cards that day. :depressed: Your drift fishing skills have come miles from the first time we went fishing. Keep on it, I think you're finding some tricks that have been helping you 'feel' the bite.

Oh yeah, your corkie and hook size were well matched( I peeked when you were sliding on a new gob of eggs), and you changed leaders in between hook ups and after you nailed that nice 25# hen.

Thanks for the eggs! :grin:

Chris

Chris Nordling · 12-05-2003, 06:16 PM

KF85-

If I would've known of your fish carnage abilities you would have been fishing a size 8! :shocked: :shocked: :tongue:

Funny thing too Mike, Doug recently switched lines to what you were tossing that night, and he was on fire that day

******- :grin:

Chris

[ 12-05-2003, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: FWF1 ]

KingFisher85 · 12-05-2003, 07:00 PM

LOL
They make size 8s? Where can I get me some of them :grin:

Navigator · 12-06-2003, 08:42 PM

Ampersat -- Great day none the less

. Anyway, you tend to remember better the ones that get away .....

Mad Mikey · 12-07-2003, 02:02 PM

Gets a little dicombobulating when there are big chinook and little steelhead in the system at the same time too.
Hmmm, go with the BIG stuff because there are nooks' around and just skid the steelhead that hit acrost the top of the water without a fight?

OR

Say the heck with it, use the lighter stuff for steelhead and when Mr. Salmon takes your tiny offering and hauls you up and down the river just enjoy the ride and hope the leader holds? :shocked: :grin:

Ah, decisions. I opt to have a set up for both and try to target the fish in their typical water but it doesn't always work out that way does it?
The #30 nook we boated the other day was taken in a tailout on a smaller plug in 3-4ft. of water.
I had the plug rods lined with 15lb, a little overkill for steelhead but enough to confidently take on a chinook. Also upped the treble hook size on the plug in case this did happen. Glad I did THAT, the hook got a little tweaked even then.
Like a few guys stated above, the 1 or 1/0 is the way to go IMO for drift fishing with 10lb leaders. I ALWAYS change the leader/hook after each fish AND check the last few feet of the mainline and the knots. You never know what that fish could have scuffed your line against in it's struggle.

[ 12-07-2003, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: Mad Mikey ]