Low Landing Ratios?

[Andrew]

I'm just curious to get a general consensus on what sort of landing ratios most of the guys here have experienced while salmon and steelhead fishing. I know I've talked to Brian about this, and he expressed experience similar to mine--most fish hooked with a float setup make it onto the bank (discount fish that flop away at this point), and, although hardware seems to lose a few more fish, the majority of spinner/spoon-hooked fish make it onto the bank as well.

We didn't really talk much about drift gear or bait, as I don't think either of us fishes these much, but I guess I can say that the few times I've fished bait and hooked fish, they've stayed on. I would have to say, then, that my landing ratios are pretty high, as are those of most of the guys I fish with.

The reason I ask is because I've read a lot of reports from different sources lately of guys regularly going 0 for 3, 1 for 7, 2 for 5, 0 for 6, etc on both salmon and steelhead. I've never fished with any of the guys reporting these days, but I can't imagine that they're all that different from the typical fishermen I run into on the rivers. Assuming so, I'm left wondering what is leading to such horrible ratios. I've had bad days, and even a few consecutive bad days, but nothing like what I've read about.

The only thing I can figure is that the fish are being snagged or flossed (hooked in places easy to tear out of). A lot of these guys are throwing drift gear, which is a lot more conducive to foul hooking; it seems if the hookups are legitimate the ratios should be much different from hardware ratios, because there isn't much difference in a 1/0 octopus vs. a 1/0 siwash.

Truly, if I were having this much trouble landing fish with legitimate hookups so consistently, I would be selling my fishing gear and taking up golf (maybe even joining bugnuts on the baseball diamond!). 

Thanks for whatever input you've got,

Andrew

[Uncle Bubba]

I had a great year last year on one of the rivers I fish up North. I can only remember loosing one winter steelie out of 14 that were punched in that river. Most of those were taken on float and jig with a couple taking eggs or sandshrimp under a float, so I would tend to agree that the float set up makes a big difference. The year befor my ratio was not nearly as good with the same gear and tackle, but I would like to say I learned alot between last year and this year which contributes to a much better ratio. On two occasions that I can think of I did witness a couple of people go O fer when they hooked up several times with Steel .They were drift fishing and/or tossing spoons.

[Professor]

I mostly fish drift gear, (BOBBERS ARE FOR LITTLE BOYS  ) My hook to landing ratios are normally pretty close. But that depends on who is beating the water with the net That being said, I would say that the reason for the higher ratios experienced with float and jig is simply because the fish are naturally hooked in the top of their mouth and nose. Which is obviously tougher than in the Mandible where a lot of the fish will be hooked when fishing drift gear

[Andrew]

Don't think "bobber," think "float" or, better still, "strike indicator." "Bobber" is a deragatory term used by drift fishermen still grappling with the concept of a presentation that avoids snags and discourages flossing.     

I realize that the "over and up" nature of a float hookset is more reliable than the purely "over" hookset as in drifting or tossing metal, but I guess the discrepancy I'm really trying to figure out is spinners and spoons vs. drift gear.

What is causing these guys to lose such a high percentage of fish, and, if you've ever been there, what did you do to solve the problem?

[Fllyfishy]

After what I saw today on the Skok, and Puy, I can't wait to get the floats going.  I went 4-5 with the one I broke off was hooked in the propeller.  I think that either they can't tye a knot, or they are hooking them in the flesh, and not in the jaw. 
If I don't feel the head shake, and feel like I have some control of the fish, I usually put the stops on and break them off.  Good luck with your research Andrew. 

[Eric]

Maybe these guys don't sharpen their hooks well and or often enough.  I as a drift fisherman have noticed a big difference in my landing ratios since I've improved my hook sharpening skills.

Also I'm starting to think that I land more fish when I use a tighter drag setting and reel them in aggresively.  I'm trying to utilize as much of the tension capicity of my line without actually breaking it.  This keeps more pressure on the hook and makes it harder to throw.

[Dragfreedrift]

Ultra-sharp hooks are critical... I cannot emphasize this enough.  My hooup to land ratio is actually very good.....its my hookups I need help on!

seriously, make sure your hook is not TOO SMALL for your corkie or whatever rig you're using.  It's possible that the corkie is blocking your hookpoint.

HOT TIP>>>place a small bead on top of your hook first, then slide corkie down on top of bead.  this places the hook back a touch and REALLY helps your ratio!


DFD

[SiletzHaunts]

throughout the few years i have grappled with summer steelhead, i have noticed that when i downsize my line for the spooky summer runs, my hookup's are more frequent but i tend to lose more fish especially when im fishing the lower river where they tend to be a bit more ferocious. I had started out using 6 lb. on a 9 1/2 ft. rod and had a lousy landing ratio. i might land 1 of every 3 fish. I changed to 8 lb., and although i didnt hook up as often almost every fish i hooked was landed, and the hook up ratio compared to the lighter line was hardly noticable. Amazing what a little difference can make. I was mostly drift fishing, but occasionally float fishing. i landed far more fish float fishing than drift fishing for the mere fact that  the float hooks them in the upper jaw where the line wont have jaws to rub against. other than that, i think a big factor it how alive the fish are that you are fishing for. i fish a small coastal river that's not much more than 100 miles in length, when you hook into a fish 5 or 10 miles from the ocean your more likely to have a much tougher battle on your hands than if you where to hook a fish 100 miles from the ocean. just something to ponder.  

[Brian]

One thought on hook size as it relates to your rod & line size. Larger siwash hooks as I like to use for winter spoon fishing requires much more pressure to drive the larger diameter hooks home than smaller jig and bait hooks. A light action rod with low line strength will never be able to drive these larger hooks into the bony jaw of a steelhead. The heavier the hook the stronger rod/line you will need to get a solid hookup.

[rvrfshr]

Andrew,
             
              Brian pretty well pinpointed the main culprit, if your rod is in any way marginal for or not tailored to your specific technique, game is half way over from the get go (there's no such thing as a do all rod). Also land ratio can vary greatly depending on species, time of year and most importantly, boat or bank. I would say that when I'm fishing spoons or spinners potshot style (while moving in the drifter) the hookup to land ratio can be one of the most frustrating at times. On the other end of the spectrum, float fishing from the bank is without a doubt where the land ratio becomes highest for me.
  You would have to know all the variables these anglers delt themselves at the time of the hookup/loss to anylyze it further. All things considered it usually all comes down to one thing ultimately, operator error in some way. (I played the role of a faulty operator just last weekend by losing my first silver of the season while B.S. ing instead of paying attention to my rod and hook size choices) !
 
  Thanks for posting the pics of the Snoho under the bridge, it reminded me to go out and hit up the confluence area. Even though they're hump it's still hard to beat watching the float do the go under over sixty times !

[First Bite]

I'd have to agree with having the sharpest hooks possible.  I typically stick with a size 1 or 1/0 when drift fishing and using a rod rated from 8-12 or 8-17# test.  This usually has enough oomph to stick the hook.  With all that being said, sometimes fish just get off.

 

[Phil]

When I get a solid hook set I land most fish. 
When I screw up and don't get a good hook set for some reason or another, I am glad to land to any of them, even when I try to get a hook set  later.  Gamagatsu hooks are sharp and help in this area.
Phil