Anyway to avoid losing this fish...

Jimmy S · 04-19-2006, 01:46 PM

I was (landlock) salmon with my son and a friend last week on "The Big Lake" in NH. My son hooked into a hugh salmon that he playedperfectly.

When the fish was near the boat, but still out of net reach, we got a good look at him...He was impressive....We estimated he was about 26-30 in long and weighed well over 10 pounds.

A moment later the fish went deep and again took line out as we heard the reel screaming....He then jumped out of the water, higher than any fish I have ever seen and snapped the 8 pound test line in mid-air.

I guess my son was at the mercy of the fish, who almost seemed to know what he was doing...Outside of just watching this fish in action and snapping the line, would you have done anything differently?

Me?........probably not.

JoshKeller · 04-19-2006, 02:18 PM

Since you were using 8 lb line, I assume you were using a spinning reel. Turn off the anti reverse clutch, and when the fish takes off, back reel. Much easierand reliable than using the drag when a fish is close to the boat and jumping around.

Chuck7 · 04-19-2006, 02:27 PM

Were you using a leader ? If not in all the playing the fish's teeth could of cut the line. If that is the case I'd go with a braided line the next time.
Too bad about the lost fish..a real heart breaker.

Adirondack Hunter · 04-21-2006, 01:34 PM

I caught a nice landlock salmon last year. It was 19in long. I know its not huge, but it was the biggest fish i had ever caught.

Phil from Maine · 04-21-2006, 07:23 PM

Salmon are fun to catch be it landlock or atlantic. Was you using a fly rod and trolling a streamer ? I'm not sure what you was using but if you have the rod tip
up high drop it down when the salmon comes out of the water. As, the thrashing and falling back down into the water can either throw the hook or
in your case break the line. Good Luck

Decided to try my luck this morning and caught this 18 incher.

pa_yote_hunter · 04-28-2006, 11:37 AM

never cought a salmon.....taste great!!!

BareBack Jack · 04-28-2006, 02:22 PM

I would look at going with a braid or a hy-brid.Look to fire-line or Power pro.I have caught and landed many Norther's and large Brown's using 8lb dia. 16 lbs test fire line.My bigest salmon was a King 68 lbs.I caught him using a 9 ft salmon/steel head rod using 15 lb dia. 60# test power pro.

If you don't wanna use a braid,consider using it at as a leader.For my walleye rigs I use 4lb dia. 12#test fire-line backed by 10# stren mono.
BBJ