That feeling when they get away...

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by EZM

At the end of the day, using appropriately sized gear large enough to land a fish, without gear failure, in a reasonable period of time, is the name of the game.

It's a blast landing a 9lb pike on a ultra light with 4 pound mono - but the fish is exhausted, stressed and more likely to die after your "successful" fight and the mastery of your equipment.

Personally, guys that tell us fantastic tales of the 40 lber on 4 lb line in a 40 minute fight, are elevating themselves in an effort to demonstrate their expertise and prowess in handling fishing equipment.

I, on the other hand, think it might be unethical to hook and torture to death fish using gear that is grossly undersized.

If it was all about the fun, with no regard to the resource - hell I'd be at Wabamun with my 4lb mono too.

That I would have to agree with. Match tackle to the fish as much as possible.

[fish gunner]

Originally Posted by EZM

At the end of the day, using appropriately sized gear large enough to land a fish, without gear failure, in a reasonable period of time, is the name of the game.

It's a blast landing a 9lb pike on a ultra light with 4 pound mono - but the fish is exhausted, stressed and more likely to die after your "successful" fight and the mastery of your equipment.

Personally, guys that tell us fantastic tales of the 40 lber on 4 lb line in a 40 minute fight, are elevating themselves in an effort to demonstrate their expertise and prowess in handling fishing equipment.

I, on the other hand, think it might be unethical to hook and torture to death fish using gear that is grossly undersized.

If it was all about the fun, with no regard to the resource - hell I'd be at Wabamun with my 4lb mono too.

Of course one should pick gear for the species targeted
However we do have line class records for a reason. My point is incidental catches in my case out weigh most of my targeted catches. Point being big fish get that way by avoiding heavy tackle.

[EZM]

I understand you point on incidental catches - it's happened to all of us.

With regards to light tackle and subtle presentations - For some species - like Pike on a moving lure, it probably less critical than perhaps a trout closely eyeballing and scrutinizing your fly.

Having said that I use a fluorocarbon leader for everything - to provide a near invisible presentation. Chances are, a big pike, watching a sexy looking crank wobble and dart by at 2 mph isn't going to study the bait too closely before hammering it.

I have, however, watched a giant pike stare at my tackle (tipped with a real minnow) and reject it while still fishing.

Your point is taken - but within the context of this particular discussion, my particular preference to match the gear to the quarry outweighs this issue.

I still believe I catch more fish on a fluorocarbon leader (nearly invisible) over using a steel or titanium leader - which underpins your point - it's about making the best choices to balance resource management and ethics versus catch rates in many cases.

[davegrant]

I'm with EZM on this one. Just come back from trip on Mackenzie Ft. Providence. Ended with a dozen over 3 ft and 3 over 40 " one being a 49 " river monster. These were the angriest fish we've ever seen breaking 3 leader clips losing 2 pliers and snapping 1 jaw spreader. These fish would have never been landed with the walleye gear.

[Fritze]

Ive been fishing a private reservoir off a refinery for the last 2 summers. Fish of all sorts are pulled in through the pumps feeding it from another body of water which I will not name. Anyways, the fish in here are big...real big. Maybe its cuz so few people know about it. Or maybe its cuz the habitat its ideal. But regardless, I was tipped off about it from a construction worker servicing my house. Big mistake on his part. I tell no one of my secret hole now and I hope he does the same.

After jumping 2 barbed wire fences and going past the numerous "no trespassing" signs, I landed a 15lb 1oz pike on a storm pike bait on my first cast. Next trip out I land a 17lb 1oz pike on the same hook.

This year I landed what had to have been a pike anywhere from 22-24lbs. My net wasn't big enough and after fighting her for minutes, she spit the hook! This is no small time net either, but it doesn't help that I was alone. Furious with myself, I went back the next morning. Same spot, same hook, same time of day, same weather. Instantly hooked into her again! This time I was able to barely squeeze her into the net. But as soon as I did, she spit it once again (damn barbless hooks!). I still have the treble which she straightened on one shank, and snapped the other.

Since this ordeal, I have had to run from security. But this will not stop me, for I will catch her eventually...and hopefully avoid a trespassing charge along the way!