Hook size

[ChrisL]

After loosing a few fish in the past couple days, I'm wondering if the hook size has anything to do with it.

Most of the fish being landed from the surf this week seem to range from mid 30s to mid 30s in length. 

I was using 6/0 Gami circle hooks.  Is that appropriate size for the fish that are around now?  Or is it my inexperienced retrieval technique / bad luck?  They all ran good and fought hard up till they came undone, so I can't imagine the hook wasn't set in the lip good. 

[SurfJockey]

Are you keeping a nice bend in the rod with constant tension?  Gotta keep that tip up.  If the line slacks up, it could give the fish a chance to loosen the hook.

[ChrisL]

One of them might have been due to slack, but the others felt pretty tight up till they came undone.

[Pfishingruven]

6/0's shouldn't be too big for that size of fish...IMO I think you could go bigger up to an 8/0.  Are your hooks sharp?  Especially those circle hooks, you want them sharp as can be.  Sometimes that is just the nature of a circle hook.  No hook set, so you can't drive that hook home...however after you come tight, and have a few cranks in, you can give it an extra setting action to make sure the hook is in the corner of the mouth good.  You just can't set on the initial take.

Good luck!

 

[Bucktail]

Sometimes it just happens Chris.  

I would just make sure you are not walking down to the fish when bringing it through the wash.  Always maintain your position or back up.  Once the fish is on the sand you can go down and leader it.

[Bucktail]

Most of the fish being landed from the surf this week seem to range from mid 30s to mid 30s in length. 

Hmmm...  mid 30s to mid 30s huh?  Interesting.



Ha Ha!   Just busting ya Chris! 

[ChrisL]

Thanks for the tips guys. 
I did a little back to basics reading tonight and will try putting all the advice to use tomorrow. 

[ped579]

Yeah I would have to agree with Bucktail.  Always use the backup to keep that line tight especially in the wash.  It is easier to backup than try to reel at that point.  Don't forget the wash will give the fish that little extra push towards the beach.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Hunter 2]

Sometimes larger barbed hooks will help too. I use 6/0 for eels, 7/0 for clams and 8/0 for Bunker

[ChrisL]

I redeemed myself today.  Actually hooked and landed the target species. 
The whole time the suggestions from you guys kept running thru my head....don't walk to the water, rod tip up, keep tension.
Thanks guys
It was only a short, but I was happy.

[IrishAyes]

WTG Chris.

One more little pointer. When you reach down to grab your fish when you get it out of the water, grab the fish by the tail and grab a hand full of sand along with it. That will help you keep a grip on the fish so it does not slide out of your grasp.