Its just goin to happen if you use worms....depending on how you are fishing, you could try to speed up the retrieve. Also half of a nightcrawler instead of a leaf worm will catch fewer dinky trout and work just as well on the bigger ones.

Sent from my EVO using Ohub Campfire mobile app

 

I was going to try some bigger octopus hooks and pinch the barb and see if that helps.

 

detecting the bite and setting the hook earlier generally works for me.

if you have 10 yards of slack in your line, or wait for 10 seconds after getting the bite, they'll be practically pooping it out before you set the hook

 

buy a worm threader and a size 14 tmc 2457 they sell the worm threader at bass pro.com and the hook are sold at fly tieing shops. any ways thread the wrom on the line like a pink work technique form the erie tribs. then attach the hook after the threader is pulled out. see you insert the threader in the worm and thread the hole worm on the threader. there is a hole in the end of the threader it is a hypodermic needle if you will. you push the line to the bottom of the threader and slide the threader out of the worm and slide the worm up the line. then attach the hook then slide the tip of the tail of the worm back over the hook then throw it under the bobber etc.. i use 4 pound when doing this so keep it in mind all i do once i don't see the bobber is reel do not set the hook it will pull the hook from the stomach to it gill's. if done right then all you need is hemo's or a hook out to get the tiny **** hook out that not in it gill rakes. you can use half worms too if need be...

 

It's all technique...

You need to be fishing on a tighter line and detecting strikes quicker...

 

It's all technique...

You need to be fishing on a tighter line and detecting strikes quicker...

I have to agree with this.


You are looking to create a natural drift for the bait and you need to always be in contact with your bait.
That's how you feel the strikes.

Don't worry when a big one takes it it's just kinda like a "weight" on the end of your line, then it starts swimming away.

When you feel them hitting pull it away from them slowly, they'll pursue it, then you can feel them on the line.
Don't just let your bait sit there anchored to the bottom, that's how you get cats & eyes.

 

Oh no, bait won't harm the fishery. :lol:

 

Oh no, bait won't harm the fishery. :lol:

Fishing harms the fishery.
We should ban all fishing and worship the almighty Brown Trout.

 

Oh no, bait won't harm the fishery. :lol:

Shoeman, they're only trout and deserve no more protection than gobies or any other introduced species.

 

Fishing harms the fishery.
We should ban all fishing and worship the almighty Brown Trout.

Axiom, you're right. Trout are no more special than dogfish or sheephead or carp. Hope the regs get changed soon and we can bowfish for them.

 

Keep trolling


Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

What's the point of fly only water if you are allowed to have barbed hooks?
All flies only water should be barbless hooks.

And BTW Sheephead & Dogfish put up a very respectable fight.
Much like the common carp they try to call "Golden Bones" around here.

What's so special about the Brown trout?
They are plentiful, and stocked by the state by our license fees & tax dollars.

 

It's all technique...

You need to be fishing on a tighter line and detecting strikes quicker...

Exactly.

If you want some help on how I do it just pm me. I fish bait a lot and have only gut hooked 3 fish all year. I've caught a serious amount of fish this year so far and have released all large fish and only ate 5 smaller ones so please don't label all of us with the same wand you don't want to be painted with.

 

It sounds like you did not keep a tight enough line to feel the strike when it occurred or gave to much time once the fish struck. As some one who does bait fish I do not wait on the strike. I set the hook quickly. In a year I can count on my hands the number of deep hooked fish. I suggest set the hook quicker and possibly try a different size and style of hook.

A few fish die from fishing no matter what the method used. Trout populations rebound quickly in this state. The fish lost to hooking mortality and harvest often fall into the numbers of fish lost to natural mortality and over the course of a entire year the numbers remain fairly stable compared to the normal population. Fish numbers raise and drop more from environmental factors than fishing.

 

I was always taught, if gut hooked it is best to cut the line instead of trying to maneuver it out. I doubt this decreases mortality much if any, but something to consider. I believe it actually reads that in the fishing regs too. But I will agree with above about technique....don't let the line slack too much and set early.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Ohub Campfire mobile app

 

It sounds like you did not keep a tight enough line to feel the strike when it occurred or gave to much time once the fish struck. As some one who does bait fish I do not wait on the strike. I set the hook quickly. In a year I can count on my hands the number of deep hooked fish. I suggest set the hook quicker and possibly try a different size and style of hook.

A few fish die from fishing no matter what the method used. Trout populations rebound quickly in this state. The fish lost to hooking mortality and harvest often fall into the numbers of fish lost to natural mortality and over the course of a entire year the numbers remain fairly stable compared to the normal population. Fish numbers raise and drop more from environmental factors than fishing.

A trout that swallows the worm hook is a dead trout. If it's sub legal, it is a wasted trout.

But some bait fishermen don't have enough respect for the resource to care about avoiding harm to the sub legal fish.

trout are resilient and populations bounce back...though they're stocked fish so who cares...

Culling fish for spawn is the best way to preserve the breeding population...

 

A lot of good info here...and some bad.

I was setting the hook quickly. Perhaps not quick enough.

I'm mainly looking for hook advice while holding bait.

I also cut the line when sublegal. However when they're bleeding all over I highly doubt they'll live.

What hooks are you bait fisherman using?


Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

Shoeman, they're only trout and deserve no more protection than gobies or any other introduced species.

Oh and you're just a heathen bastard fishing flies! (Yeah) How dare you releasing fish! They will die anyway. Might as well hook and cook! :lol:

 

A trout that swallows the worm hook is a dead trout. If it's sub legal, it is a wasted trout.

But some bait fishermen don't have enough respect for the resource to care about avoiding harm to the sub legal fish.

trout are resilient and populations bounce back...though they're stocked fish so who cares...

Culling fish for spawn is the best way to preserve the breeding population...

I am in no way trying to start an argument or debate with you. Just thought I would share this. http://www.riverdee.org.uk/FileLibrary/Impact of worming on survival of released fish.pdf

 

Oh and you're just a heathen bastard fishing flies! (Yeah) How dare you releasing fish! They will die anyway. Might as well hook and cook! :lol:

Shoeman, the uncited science is that killing the breeders without limitation is GREAT for the resource... :0

 

BAIT???
:yikes:
I always used to use crawlers & a Texas rigged #6 -181 baitholder, 32nd oz worm weight.
Rare was the fish that swallowed the hook, most of the time was brookies - yaknow, non-invasives?
:lol:
They stayed alive a long time on the stringer - right about the time I climbed up the bank & iced them for a trip to the butcher shop.
I haven't trout fished in dang near 15 years now.
Hold your rod tip UP and don't let them scarf it ti the pectoral fins & all's good...
:coolgleam

 

A lot of good info here...and some bad.

I was setting the hook quickly. Perhaps not quick enough.

I'm mainly looking for hook advice while holding bait.

I also cut the line when sublegal. However when they're bleeding all over I highly doubt they'll live.

What hooks are you bait fisherman using?


Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

If I'm expecting 12" trout max I use a size 6 aberdeen hook with a 1/2 crawler.

For bigger trout I usually use a size 4 aberdeen.

With just enough weight to get it down & bouncing along the bottom.

 

I'll try the Aberdeen. There are some 18+ in some of the holes

 

I only do minimal trout fishing but I have found over the last couple years that the appropriate sized octopus hook has proven to be the most effective...very minimal number of deep hook ups and they seem to catch around the lips or jaws very effectively

 

This goes for all species that I target including the notoriously, frequently deep hooked perch