WHY YOU LOSE FISH
SKEET REESE
SHARPER HOOKS = FULLER LIVEWELLS
This one may seem obvious , but many anglers neglect their hooks , and dull or damaged hooks can be a leading cause of lost fish . That ’ s why Reese always keeps a hook file handy .
" I use TroKar hooks – which are very sharp – but even the best hooks can get damaged ,” he says . “ Putting them on your reels when you set the rod down or fishing around wood and rocks can easily damage any hook , no matter how good it is out of the package .”
Reese says he ’ s " old-school " and relies on the tried-and-true method to test a hook ' s sharpness : Prick your fingernail with the hook point .
" If it sticks in your nail and doesn ' t slide , you ’ re good to go ,” he explains . “ If not , I ' ll file the edges to get them sharp again .”
LINE CHECK
Niggemeyer believes break-offs due to line failure have become less and less common over the years as the quality of braided and fluorocarbon lines has increased , but lines do still break and lead to lost fish .
" I don ' t see it as much as in the old days when all we used was monofilament , but you also have to check your line periodically ,” he concludes . “ I look for visible frays and always re-tie if I question the line at all .”
JAMES NIGGEMEYER
PHOTO BY GARRICK DIXON PHOTO BY CHARLES WALDORF
50 FLWFISHING . COM | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020