How Long To Fight A Fish?

[Greg]

I respectfully disagree that if you hook a big trout on 6 or 7X you are always going to kill it (Sorry Phil). Especially 6 or 7X fluoro. I use both a lot. It's pretty tough stuff and will take a lot more pressure than you would think. Take a length out sometime and try to break it in your hands and you'll see what I mean.

I'm certainly not saying you won't EVER kill a fish with the smaller tippets but I've caught enough trout on them in the 18 to 22" range to know that's not always true or even true most of the time (at least for me). Several times I've caught a really nice brown or bow on 7X, released it, then later observed the very same fish in the very same lie hours later none the worse for wear.

I think there are other factors that play into it too like the dissolved O2 level in the water, overall condition of the fish, etc.

I think Dave's timeframe of 5 minutes is a pretty good one.

Greg

[Indiana Trout]

Makes sense about the line weights vs. tippet size. I do know that you can bust 6X floro with a 5 weight St. Croix when they are running two generators and the fish heads for the banks...Especially when you get your BIG FAT FINGERS in the way of the reel handle. Seriously, I think there are a lot of variables to consider. If they are running water or it's early, couldn't you get by with 5X?

[troutgnat]

Just my two cents worth here. I'm not going to address the time issue but going back on what someone said in a previous post. IT DOES HAVE ALOT TO DO WITH HOW YOU PLAY THE FISH that will determine how fast you land it. I often can judge the fishes demeanor once hooked which will tell me what I can and can't do with it. I DO OFTEN DO THE DOWN AND DIRTY on trout, I believe this was a Lefty Kreh technique. Anyway, keep your rod low and to the side to put side pressure on the fish and turn his head this will allow you more control over the fish to be able to land it quicker. Show them who's boss. Again, many variables warrant just how much pressure you can put on the fish. But, I use this method often and it works. The sooner you can turn their head and get them going where you want the better. This is especially a good method when fishing close to swift current. i.e........Get them out of it before they hit it and say good-bye down stream into your backing.........LOL

[laker67]

I have to agree with dave and greg. Trout are not as fragil as most in the trout fishing industry would have you assume. I am talking about the fight and the release. If you drag one up the bank, or handle the fish like you would a bass, at a bass world tourament, the fish will suffer some consequences. Probably death. It is the rough handling that kill the trout. They do not withstand physical contact as well as other fish. Hooking and landing a fish on 7x has no more consequence than the heavy handed tactics with heavy lines. Like greg, I have witnessed several large fish released and doing well on the following weekend.

[DaddyO]

Guys, Thanks for all of the feedback. I will definitely put it to use.

Greg, no apologies necessary. I've had limited experience with big fish and still consider myself to be a newbie fly fisherman. That's why I started this thread.

TwoSets, I hope you were joking or talking about somebody else as I have never fished with you.

[vanven]

I do similar things to some of the other posters. I typically fish with 6-7x flouro. It is much harder to break than most people think. I will usually bulldog a few of the smaller fish to get a feel for exactly how hard I can pull. I continuously adjust the drag as well. A decent rod will go a long ways towards dampening shock that might break lighter line. Preventing slack line will also really help. Also keep your fingers, nips, gloves, and vest out of the reel.

Thats easy advice when I have never caught a trout over 5 pounds though....

-Jerod

[Phil Lilley]

Sometimes my typed words don't follow my thinking so let me clarify.

When I referred to using 6 and 7x and fighting a trout too hard I was thinking about big browns specifically - over 26 inches. You can be skillful, or lucky, and land one with 6x and not kill him but chances are in very low DO conditions you'll hurt him, maybe kill him.

Knowing how to fight a big fish is important, as mentioned. Good examples.

Slipping it on the gravel - if I don't have a net, I'll work the fish in shallow enough water that I can control him... not up on a dry bank. Again, poor use of words.

[ColdWaterFshr]

It would be interesting to see studies on how many more fish are caught while using 6-7x than those caught on the same water using 5x or heavier (same flies, and all other things being equal). I think its an imagined advantage under most conditions.

I rarely fish lighter than 5x, but then again, I don't like fishing flies smaller than 18 either. Usually 3 and 4x fluoro do just fine.

Do you 6 and 7x users retie often? I imagine that after a couple of fish you would have to or that knot is going to be weakened, or some part of the tippet might be stressed and ready to give.

[Phil Lilley]

Do you 6 and 7x users retie often? I imagine that after a couple of fish you would have to or that knot is going to be weakened, or some part of the tippet might be stressed and ready to give.

Naw... I just break off flies on every 5-20 trout usually.

Too lazy.

[DaddyO]

So, should I be using a 5wt or light rod with the 6-7x tippet as Randall suggested?