After going 0 for 5 in steelhead trips this winter on a spincasting rod I finally broke down and bought a bait casting setup.
Today I finally got to fight a large steelhead and after about 10 minutes I got it to my feet where it prompty broke the hook off.
About 15 minutes later I hooked into a 10-12 pounder and when I finally got it in I realized I have no idea how to safely release teh fish. I was alone and with an 11' rod found it difficult to even get ahold of the fish. After what seemed like forever it began to tire and I brought it a bit closer to shore, rested the rod on my shoulder and tried to get a handle on things. Though I did eventually manage to get the hook out and release him, he did flop around in the shallows a lot and this is something I'd like to avoid in the future.
Is this just something you have to deal with when steelhead fishing by yourself?
Any tips on landing large fish in a river when you're fishing alone?
Today I finally got to fight a large steelhead and after about 10 minutes I got it to my feet where it prompty broke the hook off.
About 15 minutes later I hooked into a 10-12 pounder and when I finally got it in I realized I have no idea how to safely release teh fish. I was alone and with an 11' rod found it difficult to even get ahold of the fish. After what seemed like forever it began to tire and I brought it a bit closer to shore, rested the rod on my shoulder and tried to get a handle on things. Though I did eventually manage to get the hook out and release him, he did flop around in the shallows a lot and this is something I'd like to avoid in the future.
Is this just something you have to deal with when steelhead fishing by yourself?
Any tips on landing large fish in a river when you're fishing alone?