Straightening Jigheads

[docbromley]

Went for a Saturday morning session under the narrows. Hooked a nice size Bream and just as I was about to land it - lost it.

I was using a Bream Master 1/16 round jig and it straightened.

This is not the first time this has happened and I'm looking for a bit of advice.

Do you think my drag is set too tight? I don't think it is as it went for a good run a few times. Maybe I'm using the wrong jigs?

It was a nice fish and it's pretty frustrating when you nearly get there and BANG - gone.


Doc

[Craig_S]

Doc, I might have to moderate myself for saying this, but I'd prefer to use the gama jigs.

[jimi]

Hi Doc, I've had the same thing happen with those heads (managed to land the fish though). That said, I still use them for social fishing as they are much cheaper than the gamas and ok most of the time. Just need to keep a close eye on them to make sure they are not bent after getting snagged etc.

James.

[Mim]

Hey Doc,

We have straightened a few hooks under the Narrows with some big fish on the ends of them. We have just started using the hooks advertised by Mick in the classifieds on this site. They are great and we haven't had one straighetn up yet

Dheck them out

Mim

I've had them bend and straighten a bit, but never lost a fish due to it!
I fish a very hard drag too. (ask geoffp) Perhaps you should try to comfort lift the fish out of the water instead of lifting with your rod. Also, it is always a good idea to have a really soft drag setting when the fish is about to be lifted just in case the fish takes a run.

HTH

Dave

[docbromley]

Dave

Are you saying adjust the drag whilst landing the fish? The last time I did that (and I vowed never to do it again) I caught my finger in the braid and managed to pop the knot to the leader!

Doc

yeah Mate.
I only do it when i know the fish is big. This way, when the fish shakes its head and goes for a last ditch effort, the hook wont pull or straighten. This is pretty important with fireline in my opinion.
Funnily, i went out today and i broke a Gama jig!!!
weird hey!:D
I dont know why it happened but it did.

About the tangle with your hand. I assume you weren't winding and adjusting at the same time. If you have anti-reverse on your reel, you really shouldn't have any problems with the line and your hand, as the rotor wont be moving.
HTH

dave

[madsurfe]

been there done that under the narrows. Lost one down deep never saw him/her and the hook was left in the shape of a 'W'. It generally happens like that the 3 times I've done it when leaning into them hard to make sure they don't get in under the pylon. I guess the fish is hooked somewhere just in the side of the mouth where it can really exert some leverage on the hook. Personally I feel it will happen to most hooks at some stage especially with Fireline as it doesn't have the give of mono. So it comes down to a 50/50 lottery, either skull drag away from the pylon and risk bending the hook or go light on the drag and just try to keep it clear of objects that can bust you off.

[scott]

yer, i had some trebles straighten last week. was fishign south of jojos on the shore, sight casted to a big black figure and BANG!!
Proceded to take me on two 20m runs. Strong fighting fish. Was fishign on the rock wall there, so i was kicking off my shoes to jump into the water to land it, and bobs ure uncle, my hooks straightened. Was not a happy chappy, Had it at the base of the rock wall. Was bloody big!! Am calling it 1.5+, caught a 1.5 about 6 months ago, and i reckon she easily could have gone more...
If anything should have gone, should have been the leader,was only using 1.8 kg.

Scott

[cameron]

i cant say much about the breammaster jigs because i havent used them... i did have a sqidgy jig straighten on me at the forster comp on a pike! But if your looking for some great jigs get in contact with mick, i was introduced to his jigs at the forster comp by a few of the guys and i reckon it would take a steam train to straighten them!!! they have a pretty low profile so sit close to the plastic.. again i cant speak from experience because i havent bought any yet.. but they are certainly on the shopping list.


later

cameron