FS Digest

When do you feel it's time to push your leader/tippet strength when playing a trout vs. getting the fish on the reel?

I primarily use 4x/5x fluorocarbon leaders/tippet. It seems as though I have become dependent on my drag/reel for more and more fish. My home river has fish from 6” - 20”+. Usually around 12” - 16”. The smaller ones literally hook and strip in.

I feel as though I’ve been more eager to get the 14”+ fish on the reel. I usually will strip line in and when I feel the trout make a “good” run/pull, I’ll move over to the reel in an effort for the drag to work as opposed to me just keep stripping while the fish is running/making a fight.

Am I giving too much thought to the reel or should I have more confidence in the leader and tippet? When do you say, “I better get this one on the reel?” I was watching a video of people bringing in similar sized trout (Maybe a bit bigger) on 3x and nobody used their reels. All stripping the fish in which led me to ponder - “Do I use my reel too much?” Also is the tippet a lot stronger than I think?

When you land the fish by yourself so you also get your leader connections into your guides or so you stop short of the leader and bring the fish to the net? I’ve always brought in the leader to get the fish closer, but read the loop to loop connection in the guides while netting a fish is a no no.

Thanks!

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by ReelsNFlies

FS Digest

Well just my opinion. I think I’m like you. Somewhere around 14-16 I’m on the real. Maybe I feel like I have more control of the situation and can being the fish in faster. Unless i hook up close to me nymphing and it all happens real fast and I get em in the net. But in current on a medium size fish I’m probably using the reel.

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by christian4000fish

FS Digest

That sounds just about what I’m thinking too. Thanks!

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by ReelsNFlies

FS Digest

I usually am throwing streamers or something crazy so I usually handline on a 6wt, but with wild fish 20+ inches I’ll throw on the reel sometimes. I use 6x for dries (fish are finicky around here) and if I have a good fish (15”+) I’ll use the reel. Water speed matters too so I tend to use it in fast water more often.

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by ETFlyFisher

FS Digest

6x on 20" fish? Now that's what I call flavor country.

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by travbart

FS Digest

It’s a ride lol especially in fast water, but using a 3wt helps

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by ETFlyFisher

FS Digest

12" and smaller, I'll strip in because I'm confident I can hold them near me for netting. 14" and bigger I'm actively getting them on the reel, it's just too much line drifting around me to feel confident. I fish 5x and 4x and catch 'em 8" to 20" where I fish.

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by travbart

FS Digest

Sounds exactly like where I’m at!

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by ReelsNFlies