I'm a complete amateur bait fisherwoman, so layman's terms please! Would like to fish in the River Kelvin, which I hear has brown trout and, sometimes, salmon. I've heard that to land a bigger fish, you will need to tire it out or "play" it on the line before reeling it in. Generally, I don't fish for keeps and I like to release my fishies, but if I caught one big enough, I might consider keeping it for dinner. So, how do you play a fish, or is this advice total bollocks? Maybe if one of you guys/gals have fished in the Kelvin before, you can offer some sound advice. Many thanks in advance.
2006-07-03 22:44:01 · 10 answers · asked by Disgruntled Biscuit 4 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Fishing
Serious answers please. None of the "you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish" crap ok?
2006-07-03 22:49:05 · update #1
Hey the previous answerers have got it covered. I just wanna say isn't it great the the Kelvin is clean enough to support fishing and that the run of Salmon is doing well. God bless Glasgow!!!!
2006-07-04 06:40:07 · answer #1 · answered by dogfisheggcase421 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You have a drag/clutch system on your reel.
With the reel engaged and the drag slackened off (a control knob at the front or rear of the reel for a fixed spool or opposing the handle side if it's a centre-pin type) you should be able to strip line off with the spool rotating. Tighten the drag and you will notice that it's more difficult to pull the line. You should adjust the tension so that you can just pull the line off without it snapping. When playing a fish you should apply pressure by keeping the rod at right angles to the fish and letting it take line from the reel. It's important to make sure your line is strong enough to cope with the size of fish you're after. You'll know when the fish is about to tire and this is when you start to bring it in by "pumping it". Tighten your drag if it's too free and raise the rod to pull the fish in and drop it sharply whilst retrieving line. As you get the fish near to the net remember to keep the net STILL and pull the fish over it then lift. When the fish is nearing the net slacken off the drag because usually the fish will get frightened by the net and summon up enough energy for one last burst for freedom - you don't want the line snapping now.
Whilst playing the fish try to keep it away from any snags by applying pressure as described.
EDIT:
If you don't normally keep your catch, make sure you know how to kill it cleanly and quickly. I always recommend gutting it as soon as possible if not straight away and getting it on ice, this helps to retain the flavour.
2006-07-04 06:09:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well playing a fish can be a win/lose situation. Yes, giving them some line and letting them run a little.... holding them into the current... those are methods of playing a fish. But if they get near structure (an obstacle) you run the chance of loosing them all together. By giving them "room to run" ... you are giving them a chance to tire out, but if you are using poor quality gear (rod and reel) you could again loose them.
The best bet is to reel them in as soon as possible.... then release them into the water.... or release to the grease!!...lol... Happy Fishing
2006-07-05 10:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by tcatmech2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mark is exactly right, the idea is to keep the hook in the fish but not so hard that the fish can fight against it and rip the hook out by brute force. Fishing line has a breaking strain and a fish can exert far more force than its weight alone. Playing a fish is actually what most keen fishers aim for.
2006-07-04 05:56:34 · answer #4 · answered by carl m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Playing a fish means that you let it tire itself out before you reel it in. for example, when it has been hooked reel in a bit, then let it have some line to swim around & try to release itself, pull the rod up & reel in a bit again, continue to do this until the fish tires, then reel him in & remember to use a landing net for the final catch.
2006-07-04 05:50:03 · answer #5 · answered by wombat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
playing a fish usually occurs when the hook / line / rod is not up to the strength of the fish itself. so the technique is to let the fish exhaust itself (by reeling it in when it is not fighting the reel), and playing out when the fish is swimming away.
2006-07-04 05:48:53 · answer #6 · answered by Mark J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You play a fish the same way you play a banjo.
2006-07-04 05:47:30 · answer #7 · answered by vwallwood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you get a fish costume, put it on ,, then go around and act like a fish, That's how you play a fish !!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-04 13:46:14 · answer #8 · answered by john l 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best and simplest advice i can give is if it wants line give it line ,if i dont reel it in till it fights back.
2006-07-04 13:51:53 · answer #9 · answered by nikgy71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'd have to tune it first.
2006-07-04 05:47:33 · answer #10 · answered by genghis41f 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋