Fighting a Rainbow trout

[Thundercatcher]

Can anyone give me tips on reeling in a Rainbow. I've caught a few but they always seem to get off the hook!

[alacringa]

Keep the line tight...if you give them just a little slack, they're off!

[Fishfinder]

Originally Posted by alacringa

Keep the line tight...if you give them just a little slack, they're off!

X2!!!! And watch/feel which direction s/he's going as it can change at any moment. And when they spring outta the water, well, all u can do, is hope u set your hook well, otherwise, when they land back in the water....it's byebye.
One of the funnest species of AB fish to wrangle IMO

[Dust1n]

Originally Posted by Thundercatcher

Can anyone give me tips on reeling in a Rainbow. I've caught a few but they always seem to get off the hook!

use a slower rod, one that takes up slack well like an UL spin rod and dont give them any slack

[Bigtoad]

1. sharpen your hooks,
2. Set the hook well,
3. Keep constant pressure (also set your drag correctly).
4. Be as aggressive as possible without breaking your line.
5. If you're fishing in a river, follow the fish downstream.
6. Sometimes they just get off.

Cheers.

[Need More Fish'n time]

Originally Posted by Bigtoad

6. Sometimes they just get off.

Cheers.

Agreed! That's why it's called fishing not catching.

[ukrmaf]

Also I find if I'm trolling for them its better to keep the boat moving rather than stop. Seems to keep constant tension on the line and they don't get off as easily.

[TyreeUM]

rainbow trout + barbless hooks = some lost fish.
They are one of my favourite fish to fish for because of this. Like everyone has said, keep tension on the line at all times and keep your drag as tight as your line strength will allow. Practice makes perfect, you will figure out how to work your rod and reel to keep the fish on, although I still have not found a good way to prevent losing a fish that runs directly at you - it is so frustrating!

[huntsfurfish]

"Fighting a Rainbow trout"

Watch out for its left hook!

Not as effective but still effective is the tail slap.


ps - softer rods will help take up slack, they are a little more forgiving when playing a fish.

[fishstalker]

what they said

maybe a slightly longer rod to help keep the tension on

but ultimately, if the fish is hook good he wont fall of barb or barb less, sometimes the fish can just miss the lure or not get hooked it really depends on the action

big sharp jerks they may miss more slow consistant retrieve, they usually get hooked.

[finsnfeathers]

I think everyone has to agree that a slack line is generally the cause for a lost fish, but keep in mind, a trout has a softer mouth than many other fish, and horsing them will cost you the fish as well. There's a big difference between keeping a line tight, and horsing the fish.

[marlin1]

keep it tight, but not too tight , I will even let them run if need be , gotta be one of the best fighting fish IMO , my favourite target species actually , in this province anyways

[Gust]

Isn't learning them a thrill?

It took a long time to figure out the charging-straight-at-you then running out again, technique for keeping tension,,,, try-try-try to not fall into the habit of keeping your rod at high noon, 2:30 is more than plenty and try to learn where your drag is so that you can give less tension when the fish runs away and gently re-tense it,,, easily said and sometimes, you're caught off guard and all that good practice is moot.

[Jwood 456]

For catching rainbows, I always have to reel in with consistant tension on the line. Also, use a noodly rod. Sometimes even these techniques can't stop trout from getting off. When the trout jump they usually spit the hook iregardless of the amount of tension, so the trick is to keep the rod tip under water to help stop them from jumping. At Kootney lake I lost 100% of the fish, then when I dunked the rod tip under water, I landed 100% of the fish.

[Gust]

Originally Posted by Jwood 456

For catching rainbows, I always have to reel in with consistant tension on the line. Also, use a noodly rod. Sometimes even these techniques can't stop trout from getting off. When the trout jump they usually spit the hook iregardless of the amount of tension, so the trick is to keep the rod tip under water to help stop them from jumping. At Kootney lake I lost 100% of the fish, then when I dunked the rod tip under water, I landed 100% of the fish.

Just because it's the flavour of the forums of late,,,, it's just "regardless"

[billie]

Originally Posted by Jwood 456

......... to help stop them from jumping.....

I'll let them lose me first