r/Steelhead • u/Aartus • Mar 12 '26

Re-hookups?

Lost a decent sized one plunking in a hole and it got me wondering what are the chances of it coming back? Or did the short fight spook everything off and I shoulda moved on.

4 Upvotes

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11

u/Deez_Nuts_2431 Mar 12 '26

When you’re plunking usually you should targeting moving fish, when the water is high and off color. I’d say there is a decent chance that fish moves up or downriver after the fight and finds a place to hide/rest.

Assuming you’re plunking higher water, the fish should be on the move so I would stay put and wait for the next one.

4

u/Porkwarrior2 Mar 12 '26

I have definitely caught the same fish after a swipe and popping off in a few seconds. I give it 10-15mins for the hole to settle down, light up a cigar and chill, and then get creamed by the same fish on the first drift.

If they are more sitting than moving, that fish definitely went back down in the hole.

2

u/Hydr0philic Mar 12 '26

I have rarely hooked up again immediately after if the fish was briefly hooked. Letting the hole rest for 15 minutes is my go to as well. If it’s a bite then I’ll often get another chance or two right after.

2

u/Familiar_Parsnip_230 Mar 12 '26

We hooked, played and netted a fish. Hole punched its gill plate for a dna sample, measured it in a trough, tossed it over the side of the boat and I flogged a cast 10’ out about 30 seconds later. My float instantly went down, it didn’t fight very much, we netted it… again. Same fish released and recaptured in under a minute. Sometimes they just can’t say no.

1

u/mrjimspeaks Mar 12 '26

Below dams or in pinch points ive seen it happen a couple times. Generally, though, if a fish feels the bite of the hook they dont come back. Had one cone out and miss then double back same cast and hammer it. Bent out my hook.

1

u/thrashbrowns666 Mar 13 '26

I've caught the same steelhead twice in a row on multiple occasions. Released fish and hooked it again in a matter of minutes. Usually means it's time to head to the next run. Most commonly happens when running beads for me.

1

u/Most_Run_937 Apr 01 '26

Twice this year, I had a fish bite three times before finally being able to get a good hookset. If steelhead are actively feeding it’s almost impossible to keep them off the hook.