Lighten up and have more fun!

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Lighten up and have more fun!

I thought you were talking about having less lures and tackle!
As I have gotten better at the game my tackle purchases have gone way down.
I have learned it is not about the lure. Presentation and depth, etc. get more attention now.

 

[ronboonville]

Re: Lighten up and have more fun!

Now that's a nice cat! We use 6' med rods and 6 lb. line. Can tell when I have a nibble, opposed to my big rod and reel. which sometimes I don't realize I have a fish on in the Mo. river till I start to reel it in to check bait.

 

[Don Dickinson]

Re: Lighten up and have more fun!

I do use lighter tackle ... *if* and only *if* i intend to keep the fish i catch. usually i am catch and release, so i don't downsize. using light tackle (in my opinion) stresses the fish more and makes it harder for the fish to survive.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Lighten up and have more fun!

using light tackle (in my opinion) stresses the fish more and makes it harder for the fish to survive.

Fights times are proportional to the skill or knowledge of an angler. Light tackle in the hands of a skilled angler is less stressful to a fish than heavier tackle used by an unskilled angler.

It all comes down to finesse verse brute strength. Is it less stressful to be quickly subdued and coerced into the boat or to have your lips ripped off as your swung up and into the boat

 

[pdgs]

Re: Lighten up and have more fun!

Fights times are proportional to the skill or knowledge of an angler. Light tackle in the hands of a skilled angler is less stressful to a fish than heavier tackle used by an unskilled angler.

It all comes down to finesse verse brute strength. Is it less stressful to be quickly subdued and coerced into the boat or to have your lips ripped off as your swung up and into the boat

I agree, the fish is tired but usually in really good shape. When dealing with lake trout they tend to run at the boat trying to shake the hook so fight time is pretty close. It may take a couple of minutes longer and they may make a couple of more dashes to the depths but all in all it's not too much longer. It gets the adrenalin pumpin if you've you've got a big fat keeper on and that's what I like.