Page 8 - Crappie NOW | April 2016

Q: Why are fish lost?

Jim Dant, IL - had a cooler of Reelfoot crappie in the

isle of the Grizzly Jig Show where he was visiting with
customers about Bobby Garland Jigs. This tournament
fisherman says, “Hookset and slack line in the leaders
are primary reasons for lost fish. I’ve been fishing
a lot at Reelfoot Lake using double minnow rigs. I
changed from a typical Capps/Coleman double-hook
rig to putting the weight on bottom and shortening the
extensions, or leaders. Putting the hook only two inches
from the main line gives a more direct path for setting
the hook. Fish I had been losing are now getting and
staying hooked. My catch per bite ratio has probably
doubled. I do set the hook firmly but try not to go overboard with it.”

Josh Gowan, LA, - , fishing guide, says, “Not netting a fish. Single poling there

shouldn’t be many lost fish unless the bite is ultralight. The second a fish hits with
a decent bite you should be setting the hook.Always use a net for a large crappie.”

Steve Coleman, TN - , 8-time National Champ, says “Hookset

is the number one reason for lost fish. Most sets are too light. If
you see a hit the fish has it in its mouth. If it’s not a quick hookset or
just lifted up instead of being set, the fish usually won’t be caught.”

John Martens, MO - tournament fisherman, says, “Netting. The number

one time for us to lose a fish is when it gets to the top of the water before
the net gets under the fish. All it takes is a head flip and it’s off. With a
16-foot pole and the fish coming up way out it just happens sometimes.”

Rodney Neuhaus, IL, - double Classic wins in 2015, says, “Netting and playing

the fish. The only time I think about losing a fish is when we are tournament fishing.
Most of the time it will happen when I have the head out of the water getting it to
the net. That’s when they’ll shake the hook. Mentally I go to tournaments expecting
to lose a fish so it doesn’t hurt as bad and I don’t let it bother me all day. In general,
I believe big fish are often lost when letting them run too long, or, horsing it in too
quickly. Keeping firm pressure without overdoing it is the key. This takes practice.”

Tony Sheppard, KY, - Crappie Masters Classic Champ says, “Hookset that is too

light. A light and limber pole needs a fast, strong hookset. We set the hook hard. For me
part of it is because I get excited every time I get a bite, but I want to set it hard anyway
so that’s okay. Fishermen don’t have to worry about being too hard and causing the
hook to come out unless they really overdo it.

8 Crappie NOW April 2016