How to reel in weakfish (Sea trout)
Jun 10, 2020 21:04:33 #
I hooked into 2 weakfish today on the south shore of Long Island big lost them both. I had my drag loose one time and what seemed to be tight the other as once he started to run he must’ve ripped the hook through his mouth. How do you reel in these fish, it seems loose drag is not good even tho I’d think that’d be what would work. Any tips?
Jun 10, 2020 22:37:10 #
J_DeV wrote:
I hooked into 2 weakfish today on the south shore of Long Island big lost them both. I had my drag loose one time and what seemed to be tight the other as once he started to run he must’ve ripped the hook through his mouth. How do you reel in these fish, it seems loose drag is not good even tho I’d think that’d be what would work. Any tips?
Never caught a weakfish but speckled trout have similar mouths which tear easy. Drag is fairly critical and it’s better to be a little loose rather than too tight. What I find is key is to not give them any slack. Always keep some pressure on them. This will keep them from shaking loose when the shake their heads. When landing them if a net isn’t handy, swing them in all in one motion as you reel them into a landing position.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Jun 11, 2020 01:14:44 #
Gentlemen; pardon me but I believe you are talking about the same species! There’s no trick or magic to landing them. Your reel’s drag should be set at a normal level of tension. They fight hard but unless you have a monster like. Above 10 lbs just take your time and not attempt to “horse “ them in you should be ok, I suspect your fish wasn’t hooked soundly and just spit the hook. Just Sayin...RJS
Jun 11, 2020 08:47:57 #
J_DeV wrote:
I hooked into 2 weakfish today on the south shore of Long Island big lost them both. I had my drag loose one time and what seemed to be tight the other as once he started to run he must’ve ripped the hook through his mouth. How do you reel in these fish, it seems loose drag is not good even tho I’d think that’d be what would work. Any tips?
You have to set for a loose drag and reel them in slow and steady, no yanking back on the rod. Slow pumping of the rod works well. Hook size is also important, needs to be big enough to get a good hook set, small hooks tend to pull out easily.
Jun 11, 2020 09:25:15 #
Jun 11, 2020 12:57:49 #
Big dog
Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York
J_DeV wrote:
I hooked into 2 weakfish today on the south shore of Long Island big lost them both. I had my drag loose one time and what seemed to be tight the other as once he started to run he must’ve ripped the hook through his mouth. How do you reel in these fish, it seems loose drag is not good even tho I’d think that’d be what would work. Any tips?
Use a light rod and keep a bend in it, keep the drag at a point where it will give line at a hard bend.
Jun 11, 2020 21:12:07 #
Jun 11, 2020 22:17:15 #
Robert J Samples wrote:
Gentlemen; pardon me but I believe you are talking about the same species! There’s no trick or magic to landing them. Your reel’s drag should be set at a normal level of tension. They fight hard but unless you have a monster like. Above 10 lbs just take your time and not attempt to “horse “ them in you should be ok, I suspect your fish wasn’t hooked soundly and just spit the hook. Just Sayin...RJS
sea trout aka speckled trout cynoscion nebulosus
weakfish aka squeteague, tide runner et alia cynoscion regalis World record 19 pounds 2 ounces
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