setting the hook

Whalermatt · 02-04-2007, 02:55 PM

I went out on Tues. and caught my first sword on my first trip. 60: LFJ Should I wind when I see the slightest movement of the tip, since the baloon or tip didn't move much. The baloon was moving just a little bit and no drag was comming out. Thanks for your input

snooknreds2 · 02-04-2007, 02:59 PM

touchy subject. alot of different opinions about this.

the biggest factor is how the fish hits.
just keep in mind it is a bill fish and like all bill fish and little kids they usually play with there food before they eat.

Fishalways · 02-04-2007, 03:46 PM

Bill fish don't like dead things.
That being said, any time you have movement of your bait from a hit or whatnot, keep it moving, all of my hits have come on moving baits.

Choice is reel or drop, which one can you do faster?

billspilingup · 02-04-2007, 04:02 PM

I crank and come tight the second I think there's a fish on. There's at least a pound of lead, a LP light, lots of line, and a balloon to impart drag and let the fish know something's up - that hook needs to be set quickly or the bait will be spit out, that's why I fish with the drag in the strike position. If the fish isn't hooked, oftentimes it will follow the fleeing bait back to the boat which gives me the opportunity to hook it on a pitch bait.

With a pitch bait, sometimes they whack it and circle around to pick it back up and sometimes they just gulp it down but either way the reel's in freespool with no clicker and I let him get the bait deep down before I come tight by cranking rapidly. Usually I dropback 10 seconds or so.

Capt. Art · 02-05-2007, 10:09 AM

Many swordfish are like children; they play with their food before they eat it!!

In my experience, I get drag pulling runoffs only about 10% of the time. Most hits (and bait steals) come without any drag being pulled.

I like to slowly reel the bait when I think a sword is playing with the bait, but as soon as I feel the weight of the fish, reel like hell!!

Capt. Art

quack quack · 02-05-2007, 10:14 AM

Reel first ask questions later.If the balloon is moning the fish is there.If you do not come tight stop it will come back after the bait.

Sword Donkey · 02-05-2007, 10:21 AM

Missing fish is part of the game. When the rod bends over = reel.

Beerman · 02-05-2007, 10:53 AM

I stand there with beer in hand and Ask, "anyone gonna get that!!"

Tuna Devil · 02-05-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerman

I stand there with beer in hand and Ask, "anyone gonna get that!!"

quack quack · 02-05-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerman

I stand there with _____ in hand and Ask, "anyone gonna get that!!"

Beerman · 02-05-2007, 12:35 PM

I have a crew of chicks, so sometimes that works too

02-04-2007, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Whalermatt Grunt Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5	setting the hook I went out on Tues. and caught my first sword on my first trip. 60: LFJ Should I wind when I see the slightest movement of the tip, since the baloon or tip didn't move much. The baloon was moving just a little bit and no drag was comming out. Thanks for your input

02-04-2007, 02:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
snooknreds2 Hooked Up Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dania Beach, Fl Boat: Fishing, mountain biking,scuba diving, skate boarding, playing drums Occupation: Ocean Engineer / sign maker Posts: 703	touchy subject. alot of different opinions about this. the biggest factor is how the fish hits. just keep in mind it is a bill fish and like all bill fish and little kids they usually play with there food before they eat. __________________ "COLLEGE... THE BEST 7 YEARS OF MY LIFE" I will miss fishing 4 days a week every week Top of the line wedding Photography by LIMELIGHT Photos www.stepintothelimelight.com

02-04-2007, 03:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fishalways Hooked Up Join Date: Sep 2006 Boat: 206 Kencraft Best Catch: 450# Blue Marlin, Walkers Cay Posts: 626	Bill fish don't like dead things. That being said, any time you have movement of your bait from a hit or whatnot, keep it moving, all of my hits have come on moving baits. Choice is reel or drop, which one can you do faster? __________________ I am an atheist.

02-05-2007, 10:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 4,456	Reel first ask questions later.If the balloon is moning the fish is there.If you do not come tight stop it will come back after the bait. __________________ Either we can be a part of the solution or we can be the victims of a decision.

02-05-2007, 10:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
Beerman Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Stuart, FL Posts: 608	I stand there with beer in hand and Ask, "anyone gonna get that!!" __________________ Word of Wisdom: Many a problem will solve itself, if we forget it and go FISHING!!!!

02-04-2007, 04:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
billspilingup Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lighthouse Point Boat: 31' Ocean Master Best Catch: 300lb & 200lb back to back daytimers Posts: 446	I crank and come tight the second I think there's a fish on. There's at least a pound of lead, a LP light, lots of line, and a balloon to impart drag and let the fish know something's up - that hook needs to be set quickly or the bait will be spit out, that's why I fish with the drag in the strike position. If the fish isn't hooked, oftentimes it will follow the fleeing bait back to the boat which gives me the opportunity to hook it on a pitch bait. With a pitch bait, sometimes they whack it and circle around to pick it back up and sometimes they just gulp it down but either way the reel's in freespool with no clicker and I let him get the bait deep down before I come tight by cranking rapidly. Usually I dropback 10 seconds or so.

02-05-2007, 10:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
Capt. Art Hooked Up Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Key West Boat: 90' Trawler Occupation: Big Game Fishing Posts: 116	Many swordfish are like children; they play with their food before they eat it!! In my experience, I get drag pulling runoffs only about 10% of the time. Most hits (and bait steals) come without any drag being pulled. I like to slowly reel the bait when I think a sword is playing with the bait, but as soon as I feel the weight of the fish, reel like hell!! Capt. Art

02-05-2007, 10:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Sword Donkey Lines In Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Around 1,200 feet of water off Miami Boat: Killing and Releasing Sword Donkies Occupation: Salesman Posts: 91	Missing fish is part of the game. When the rod bends over = reel.

02-05-2007, 12:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
Beerman Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Stuart, FL Posts: 608	I have a crew of chicks, so sometimes that works too __________________ Word of Wisdom: Many a problem will solve itself, if we forget it and go FISHING!!!!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Setting up for Swording	sigfla	Rigging Corner	0	08-14-2006 10:20 AM
drag setting for dolphin?	justin ennis	Southeast	2	04-10-2006 12:21 PM
Setting drag	FishbyNite	General Chat	4	01-31-2006 01:28 AM
correct drag setting	snappergrouper	Swordfishing	5	07-24-2005 05:23 PM
lb of drag setting?	LETSRIDE	Swordfishing	3	01-19-2004 01:50 PM