Tight lines - Rod tip up or down? I was taught from an early age to keep my line tight, or taut, as they say. I remember well the first 30+ inch red I caught while fishing with a pro...

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

I was taught from an early age to keep my line tight, or taut, as they say. I remember well the first 30+ inch red I caught while fishing with a pro friend of mine who was standing right behind me talking into my ear, "Tony, keep your rod tip up". He was very calm but in truth he was more excited than I was. Reds are not usually very acrobatic so I wasn't concerned that she would jump and spit the hook so my natural instinct was to lower my rod. Well, Danny was right and we boated that sow with no problems. When the wind is up and causing your line to "belly" I'll keep the tip down to try to minimize that. When fishing very shallow water I usually keep the rod tip up so that I can control the depth of the bait. It is definitely one of the keys to detecting strikes and playing a fish, so tell me how you make the decision on your rod positioning.

Maid Marion Loc: Corvallis, OR

Brownsville Tony wrote:

I was taught from an early age to keep my line tig... (show quote)

For me it's the angle of the rod to the line not elevation, in wind i swing the tip down and upwind maintaining rod play.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Brownsville Tony wrote:

I was taught from an early age to keep my line tig... (show quote)

Tony, I try not to raise my rod more than 45°or 50°at any time when the fish is near the boat/bank. Pointing it higher puts undue stress on the blank. When retrieving a lure there's less stress on the rod,so a higher angle is ok. When fighting a fish and it jumps, there are 2 schools of thought. Keep the rod up and the line tight, and in Tarpon country, Bow to the King. In other words drop the rod tip until the fish is back in the water. In the heat of the moment,I probably do both depending on how close the fish is, and what direction he's heading.

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

Fredfish wrote:

Tony, I try not to raise my rod more than 45°or 50... (show quote)

I do that with Ladyfish, Fred. I try to point the rod at the fish when its in the air or in the water. But I got to admit, I lose a lot of Ladyfish. I'm not disappointed when they get off though, I just love the show they put on.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Brownsville Tony wrote:

I do that with Ladyfish, Fred. I try to point the rod at the fish when its in the air or in the water. But I got to admit, I lose a lot of Ladyfish. I'm not disappointed when they get off though, I just love the show they put on.

I've never fished for, or caught a Ladyfish Tony, but any fish that goes airborne, or tailwalks is ok in my book. It really gets the adrenaline pumping, even if they eventually throw the hook.

Virgilio Loc: Wrightsville NC

Keeping your rod tip up is during fighting the fish. Today’s rods allow the use of light lines. To avoid breaking the line and the fish spitting the hook, hold your tip up. The resistance and tension of the rod wears the fish out. Without the roads action the line would either break or pull. Just like Fredfish said. Tarpon are beasts and you must bow to the king as too much tension will pull the hook. Your rod is as important or maybe more than the line. This is how you catch 10# steelhead on 4# line. It’s all in the rod. When waiting for a bite you’re correct in your methods. Whatever presents the bait correctly and allows for a proper hook set.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Brownsville Tony wrote:

I was taught from an early age to keep my line tig... (show quote)

Always keep the rod tip between 9oclock and 11 so you have enough room to set your hook then follow through what Fredfish said

Jeremy Loc: America

I keep tip down while waiting for a bite. Trolling or bank fishing for ANY fish. Once they bite I try to be patient and slowly reel the line as tight as possible ( stealth ) before attempting to set the hook.

Once fish is on I try to pump the fish in. Lift rod to about 1PM and reel down against fish to about 4pm if on a boat maybe 3 on bank unless up above water reel lower. Then ASAP lift rod up and reel back down. Whenever a fish jumps try to keep line tight.. not super tight but snug. Coho Salmon like to do acrobatic tricks and many times even a tight line will come out.

Jeremy Loc: America

If someone is night Fishin. Just change PM to AM.

Maid Marion Loc: Corvallis, OR

Jeremy wrote:

If someone is night Fishin. Just change PM to AM.

Lol

Jeremy Loc: America

Maid Marion wrote:

Lol

How are you doing Marion?

Maid Marion Loc: Corvallis, OR

Jeremy wrote:

How are you doing Marion?

I'm ok, just Spring Fever like everyone else

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

HenryG wrote:

Always keep the rod tip between 9oclock and 11 so you have enough room to set your hook then follow through what Fredfish said

I pretty much go along with Henry, keeping my rod between 9 an 11. When I'm fighting a bugger fish i) tend to jeep the rodtip down a bit to spread the strain across the whole rod. If you keep it too high, the fish is fighting the tip instead of the lower sections which are the backbone of the rod.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Flytier wrote:

I pretty much go along with Henry, keeping my rod between 9 an 11. When I'm fighting a bugger fish i) tend to jeep the rodtip down a bit to spread the strain across the whole rod. If you keep it too high, the fish is fighting the tip instead of the lower sections which are the backbone of the rod.

The Outcast Loc: NE Michigan

Brownsville Tony wrote:

I was taught from an early age to keep my line tig... (show quote)

I always keep my rod low and at 90° to the lure when casting, no matter species. This is especially true when a fish hits. When I see a fish coming up to jump, I put the tip down low as possible, especially on bass, seems to me to minimize hook throws. This is from a boat, is a bit more difficult to do from bank, especially if elevated, IMHO!