Feeling the bite..

[David Johnson]

For the beginner, one of the hardest things in steelheading is detecting the bite. It was for me when I started out.

I started with my fiber glass every thing rod from Fredy's and it took me a couple seasons to catch my first steelhead. Each year I got a little better quality rod and when I finally got a "real" steelhead rod I got my first fish.

I now use an IMX 1084 and it is the most sensitive rod around. You can truly feel the difference between a rock and a fish. You can feel your line rub a rock or stick as it passes through the water. You can even feel a fish pick up your bait while there is still a belly in the line.

I stress that if you are going to buy a steelhead rod whatever you do be sure to buy the highest quality you can get and don't skimp. For every $100 you will get that much better rod.

This idea about setting the hook if your gear stops is purely "old school". If you have some experience, and with todays rods, line and slinkies you can feel them bite. Not totaly always, every once in a while it will come to a stop but if that happens I simply lift up on my rod tip slightly and feel for a soft presure.

This is how I describe a steelhead bite. It's a soft, spongy feel. Like catching a bungy cord. If you have ever picked up a peice of line or a stick that's not stuck to the bottom that's what a steelhead feels like.

And this is the year to get out there and get one. I've had a ton of people catch their first steelhead from my boat in the last few months.

[ 02-07-2002, 08:43 PM: Message edited by: David Johnson ]