Tips For Fighting Fish Near The Boat

[Tom Keels]

1) Leave out as much line as your rod is long. If your rod is 7' long leave 7' of line out. This makes your rod and line into one huge shock absorber. Too many times I see novices reel their line up and leave only 3-4 feet out. This will get you a few things such as, broken line, broken rods, or a ripped out hook that comes flying out of a fishes mouth like a sling shot.

2) Back off your drag! Most people get anxious when a fish nears the boat. They tend to want to horse the fish in and end the fight. Most fish, redfish especially will start towards the boat and then bolt as they see it. If you are not paying attention they will turn on a dime and leave you with nothing but your four letter words to comfort you.

Just remember to re-adjust your drag after every fish.


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Tom Keels
Owner, Webmaster
BigBendFishing.Net

[School Teacher]

Tom, You are right on, about the drag thing. I wish I had a nickel for how many novices I have had on board my boat that get way to excited when a big bull red or a smoker kings gets near the boat. They tighten drag too much and only bad things happen.