fat_souvlaki Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Gday Raiders Of late I've been dropping way too many flathead for my liking on plastics. I have tried backing off the drag, keeping constant tension, allowing the fish several seconds to take the plastic and babying the fish to the boat but the buggers still manage to shake the hook. I'm having serious thoughts about a tracer hook; have many people had better luck with this?Any suggestions?Regards,John, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 (edited) Ask the expert at the soft plastics social tomorrow . Sunday 4th may Edited May 2, 2014 by Ryder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Ask the expert at the soft plastics social tomorrow . Sunday 4th may LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bharris Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Ask the expert at the soft plastics social tomorrow . Sunday 4th mayyeah the king of dropping fish will be there ay petey Sent from my GT-S7500T using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 strike hard when you initially get the hit, get them in as quick as possible, solid constant tension, dont lift their head over the water to avoid headshakes. swim them into the net. go hard with the drag, they wont slice you off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adkel53 Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 I've had this problem in the past too and have tried all the things suggested above without success. Try using smaller plastics or even blades so that they take the whole lot into that cavernous mouth rather than just grabbing the tail behind the hook. Then be careful not to let them thrash around with their head up when landing them. I have had fish take a plastic three times on the one retrieve and get them right up near the boat only for them to open their mouth and let the plastic go. Very frustrating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witha Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 With flatties +1 on striking hard, pin that hook well! Have found I lost most fish when my strike wasn't good enough, have also lost fish this way, as maybe they just mouthed the plastic and striking pulled it out, but I'd rather know I have a good hook set than get halfway through the fight and have them drop it also letting them take it down not the best idea as then the leader is perfectly positioned to scrape on that front rough mouth plate and wear through quickly. Hate having a fish come up only to thrash a leader to bits Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowie Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 It just happens like that sometimes. Fishing in the Hacking yesterday, pulled out 6 undersized flatties (on nippers) but the larger ones did not hook up. Dropped a couple, up to about 55-60cm at a guess, a couple of head shakes by each fish and the hook did not connect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfisherman Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 When fishing from shore with plastics I found that if I didn't have my rod tip raised I would drop fish, mainly flathead too... Harry If it's to good to be true, it usually is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutboy Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 hi all, I know it sounds counter productive but try crimping the barbs as a barbless hook will penetrate a hard bony mouth easier providing a more solid hookup, just remember to maintain line tension at all times and keep their head underwater. cheers troutboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfisherman Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 hi all, I know it sounds counter productive but try crimping the barbs as a barbless hook will penetrate a hard bony mouth easier providing a more solid hookup, just remember to maintain line tension at all times and keep their head underwater. cheers troutboy Fair call Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefish Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Where are you losing them exactly, in the first second or 2 or at the boat/net. What line class? The two points I would suggest are getting your hook in and watch the last minute change of direction, both of these get harder the lighter your line. With an electric motor you can even shift the boat to control their behaviour boat side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat_souvlaki Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 Thanks for everyone's input!! I appreciate everything said. Chewie and witha.. I always make an effort to plant the hook hard but will focus on it more! Jameshanna.. lately ive been changing jigs every so often and it definitely helps having a sharp hook! Like others have mentioned, it can be very frustrating when you've dropped a dozen fish on a trip and only come home with a few . Troutboy I will be trying this next trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat_souvlaki Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 Hi stevefish, I drop most mid fight. Quite afew just before the boat as well . Using 8lb braid 10lb leader. The fish which drop the lure straight away jump back on quicksmart haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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