"Hook & Grin"

[Dejon Hamann]

Over the weekend I think I figured out one of the big culprits to dropping fish.

I like to call it the "Hook & Grin".  If you're dropping fish you might have this affliction. It's hard to self diagnose so get a friend to observe you while you're fishing.  The symptoms are easy to spot though.  You'll notice sed person will set the hook on a fish straight up into the air, and then stand there grinning from ear to ear while they wait for the fish to dance.

The remedy involves first admitting you have the problem. Then utilizing angles to correct the situation.  An angler should be generally setting downstream and parallel to the stream and then using parallel rod positions to quickly guide a fish to the net.  If you're waiting on the fish then you're giving them an opportunity to get off.  Guide the fight from hook set to net.  Constantly dictate the direction they are traveling by carefully switching angles (right to left, left to right) and using water types to your advantage.

With a little help we can all work to wipe out "Hook & Grin" in our lifetime.

[Mike Norton]

nice insight D