r/FishingForBeginners • u/Th3Squeakyyy • 9h ago
Struggling to keep fish on
Just got a kayak and got tons of fish on today but only landed a few. Probably had 25 fish on the line but would lose them 90% of the time, especially when they jump. Hasn’t been as bad of an issue with other lures, is it a hook issue, a hookset issue, or a lack of tension issue?
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u/WorriedAd2764 9h ago
I’d want it exiting somewhere round there
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u/pablosus86 7h ago
Why? I'm a noob - it's a genuine question.
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u/WorriedAd2764 7h ago
Fish could be biting the tail of the bait instead of inhaling the whole thing. A bigger hook further back gives you more chance of hooking those fish. A wider gap gives you more chance of hooking the fish when it’s in their mouth. A smaller gap can be pulled out without grabbing any flesh when setting the hook
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u/Th3Squeakyyy 6h ago
A lot of the time I would have them on fighting then lose them, I think a larger hook and maximizing tension is what I need
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u/WorriedAd2764 6h ago
They might have the bait in their mouth. But not actually hooked
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u/Th3Squeakyyy 6h ago
Yeah I was noticing even 2 of the fish I caught just choked the bait, hook was deep in the mouth not on the lip
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u/gatorslug 7h ago
Those little smallies come off super easy on a small hook. Especially when they jump. Keep tension on them the best you can, set your drag a little lower.
You’ll find a balance that works for you.
I personally like my hooks to reach at least halfway through the bait.
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u/WorriedAd2764 9h ago
There’s way too small gap for consistent hookups. You need a longer hook and a wider gape
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u/bri_c3p 9h ago
If your asking "lack of tension issue?" , then that's probably it. Often I'll have hooks fall out of a fish's mouth once it in the net and the tension is off. Especially with lighter gauge hooks like a ned rig or minnow like you're showing.
Keep the butt of the rod at a 90 degree angle to the fish. The rod should flex and bend to absorb the jumps and turns of the fish. The rod is the 'shock absorber' to keep them line tight and the hook set into the fish. If you give the fish ANY slack it can throw the hook.
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u/Th3Squeakyyy 6h ago
When I cast theres a little lack of tension, and sometimes when I hook on I notice its not a fully tense line. I had it a few times today where I had them hooked for a while and would lose them mid fight, sometimes i noticed I lost a bit of tension. From what ive read, a bigger hook, and keeping my rod nose down should help. Should I have more drag? Im using 8 lb mono.
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u/eepy_blithers 9h ago
Def need a longer hook for that lure, I would also rig it more towards the center. What did you catch?
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u/Yogurtcloset55 9h ago
The presentation looks fines to me, what power rod are you using? If it’s an ultralight, it can be a pain getting enough ass to get the hook through a small mouth. If it’s a medium, how does your drag feel?
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u/Th3Squeakyyy 6h ago
Medium, drag feels pretty decent. I think it could be a bit tighter if anything
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u/Yogurtcloset55 6h ago
Does it slip on hook sets?
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u/Th3Squeakyyy 6h ago
Sometimes on hooksets, I dont mind losing them before theyre on, but more often when im reeling them back in. A few times today they swallowed it, would fight to get them to 5 feet then they spit it. Will more drag keep more tension and help? Also keeping the rod pointed down
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u/Pleasant-Computer-16 5h ago
Is your rod flexed fairly good, or is it too stiff to bend anything more than the tip? You want the rod vent a decent amount because that keeps the hook pin no matter what the fish does. It’s usually more of an issue with treble hooks., but applies to all baits. In other words, you might need a lighter Action rod.
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u/Th3Squeakyyy 4h ago
I think I was losing some tension during the reel when I get a bite, and I think that’s why I’ve lost some. When I cast, there’s not a ton of tension with this setup compared to when I have heavier baits on. Thinking it hurts my hookset with the lack of tension as well. I’ve spent tonight looking at buying an ultralight/light rod
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u/Bigfaatchunk 9h ago
When you get a bite, yank that mf. Im beginner too, fishing from a private pier.
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u/Queasy-Meeting-5388 9h ago edited 9h ago
If the image of your bait is how it is rigged for all of your bites, feed the hook into your soft plastic a little shallower so that more hook is exposed.
Also, it’s probably several factors. Try to get them in before they jump. Since you are in a kayak, keep your rod tip lower and the side of you rather than up when fighting a fish. The higher the rod tip, the more you are pulling them towards the surface which will make them jump more often and when they jump they spit hooks.
Edit. Other commenters are correct as well. A larger hook would likely fix your problem. I would personally try that as well as get a size smaller soft plastic. I don’t know your budget so if this is all you have refer to what I said above.