How To: Put the most pressure on your fish.

[bullbusters]

A couple days ago I went to speak to one of my fishing mentors, Joe Gonzalez http://captainjoegonzalez.com (arguably the best bonefish guide in Miami, as he has tagged over 1,000 bonefish for us at University of Miami's Bonefish and Tarpon Research Center), about developing my bullbuster brand name. Our conversation shifted to a 30lb permit that he put a customer onto on fly. After seeing the huge fish I imediatley asked him how long the fight time was, figuring it would be exponentially longer with fly tackle. This is when I learned something new as to why even though it may be harder to hook a fish on fly it may be easier to fight one. Joe grabbed a spinning rod from his collection and asked me to hold the monofilament at my side. He asked me to guess which position of the rod put the most power on the fish. I guessed the same as most people probably will.

Here are the three positions:











Which one do you think puts the most pressure on the fish? If you guessed like me you guessed the top and were incorrect.
From top to bottom the rods increase in the pressure you put on the fish. By using the position in the bottom you end up using the rod to its greatest potential. When a fish is running and you are in this position, the fish feels the full power of your rod. This is the reason that fly rods can put so much pressure on the fish. Fishing is a lot about technique and if you take the time to learn little things from those around you, you can only get better. Today I tried this on a 30-40 lb tarpon on 15lb spinning tackle from shore. Worked beautifully, unfortunatley I dont have a picture because the tarpon broke the leader while we were trying to measure it and tag it.

Try this at home if you dont believe it... hold the line at your side.. and have someone pull in those three positions... trust me you will feel the difference.

[fishnfool73]

Great bit of knowledge. Proper rod positioning and fighting style can do incredible things. I watched a guy land a 227 lb yft on an Accurate 870 in about 5 minutes without a harness. All in the way you fight the fish I guess sometimes. I learned a lot watching him fight that fish.

[bolo]

The bottom picture is how I position my rod. Apply as much pressure as possible. Most people high stick their rod thinking that is the best position. I used to fish with Joe many moons ago. That's probably 10 years ago when I used to flyfish heavily. He was a person who loves to scream at you from the poling platform.

[fixed80]

that is so cool. 5 minutes to catch that big fish whooooooooa.
anyway... great info bull buster.

[bullbusters]

The bottom picture is how I position my rod. Apply as much pressure as possible. Most people high stick their rod thinking that is the best position. I used to fish with Joe many moons ago. That's probably 10 years ago when I used to flyfish heavily. He was a person who loves to scream at you from the poling platform.

"Point your rod... Point your rod! No Colby what typa cast was that?!?!.. Quick you might get another shot!" haha.. yea sounds about right.

Dang.. thats a big yellowfin and a real quick fight for such light tackle. I'm hoping to pick a couple cows like that down in Mexico this summer.

[fishnfool73]

Yes the fight was impressive. The guy is a local legend over there. He is sponsered by Accurate and Seeker if that tells you anything . He got a 205 lb on an 870 shortly after that but took a bit more time around 20 minutes. He explained rod position and leverage similaar to what you posted here.

[bullbusters]

Was that in Cali or Mexico?

[fishnfool73]

Mexican waters will try and find the story of the trip. It was epic .

[fishnfool73]

http://archives.floridasportsman.com/co ... -1211-1221

[safeman]

Nice report, great tip, I am going to try landing the larger clown better with your technique and see if I can not get a record!

Safeman: Sardines rule baby!!!

[bullbusters]

Gotta couple nice spots for clownfish they usually hide among the anenome =p.

[Boca Jetty Rat]

What about putting presure on a fish sideways. Pulling the rod to your left or right at the same higth as the last picture? I use that alot when I big ones on the jetty and it works so good.

[rshields]

I used to high stick a fight but now I am in the last position for most of the time applying pressure. Also I use the left and right pressure from the last position and it keeps me ahead of the fish and in more control for the most part. Allot of times when a snapper gets on I high stick it until I am a little ahead of the fish and then I'll drop down and let the rod do more of the work

[permitchaser]

good info Colby

[james380]

Learn something new every day.

[Oniram]

Flyfishermen learn not to "high stick" because if they do so with a graphite flyrod, it will snap. I used to high stick with spinning gear until I got addicted to saltwater fly fising.