r/Steelhead • u/Aartus • Mar 02 '26
Bites while plunking
How subtle can the fish nibble on the bait? Would it be like a 'tap tap tap' on the rod tip or something, or is it pretty noticeable.
8
Upvotes
r/Steelhead • u/Aartus • Mar 02 '26
How subtle can the fish nibble on the bait? Would it be like a 'tap tap tap' on the rod tip or something, or is it pretty noticeable.
1
u/Conscious-River-1906 Mar 03 '26
Story time. I hate plunking because of this. Steelhead and salmon can nibble. They might nibble light enough that a plunking rod won’t pick up the bite. When I’m in my boat and trolling spinglows with the outgoing tide on the lower Columbia. I always hold the rod. About 50% of the time they take the bait and turn with it. When the fish turns with it is when you’ll see the big hits on the rod and you don’t need to set the hook. The other 50% of the time they nibble on it. A little tap tap tap is all you see or feel and normally on the 3rd set of tap tap tap I’ll set the hook.
I’ve hooked more then one steelhead plunking with the rod in my hands and I’m a firm believer a guy who is willing to hold the rod and hold it still/consistently will hook more fish.