Drive By's and the induced/twitch take

S

steelheardr99

Steelhead
last week I was reading the thread were there was a discussion about fish hitting the swivel when you are using one under an indicator and I also watched the YouTube video on the fish taking and quickly releasing the chironomid and I think it answered a question or two that had been bugging me since my last two outings (also my first two outings indicator fishing)which was I would see my indicator move unnaturally strike and nothing. A lot of the times the movement of the indicator was slight just a small side to side movement no real downward pull and I put it down to maybe a small fish playing with the chironomid at least that was what I was thinking. After reading that thread I decided to try something different on my last outing.
So on to my last time out and again fishing two chironomid's under an indicator plus also using a swivel I cast out and sat watched and waited. The first time the indicator did the side ways movement I missed it completely as I had a sandwich in one hand and was taking a drink, By the time I could pick up the rod whatever it was had gone.
The second time it happened I was actually standing up in the boat with the rod in one hand and the line in the other, As the indicator moved again just a slight movement I pulled on the line enough to move the indicator I would say about 6 inches which I would think moved the flies a couple of inches the response was immediate the indicator went straight down I lifted the rod set the hook and next thing I was staring at a fish that came up out of the water almost eye level with me. It caught me by surprise that I just stood their open mouthed looking at this fish about 5 feet out of the water that I forgot to lower the rod when the fish hit the water and it popped the barbless hook and was gone. I took a deep breath to slow the old heart beat down checked the flies were fine and rolled cast them back out, A couple of minutes later I was checking the sonar to make sure I was still over the spot with the good looking structure and the indicator moved again, I again moved it 6 inches and down it went set the hook and bingo after a nice fight landed a healthy rainbow.
It happened once more to me that afternoon but this time the wind was blowing and I barely saw it move I did not have to move the rod too much as I had a bow in the line and again as soon as I moved the indicator down it went and to the net came another nice rainbow.

Now I did not hook all my fish that day doing this others came and hit the flies as I fished and drifted the indicator so I am not saying this is the best way to fish an indicator but it seemed to work when I had those slight movements and the question is do you think these fish I hooked are playing with the indicator or the flies or am I way off the mark with my thinking, And sorry for being so long winded.
 
I've mentioned this before but I was indicator fishing on a breezy day and was constantly fighting a belly in my line.
Out of frustration I threw a rather large mend that didn't really move the indicator very far but it was fish on. I repeatedly repeated the 'move' with the same results almost every time.
 
Old406Kid said:
I've mentioned this before but I was indicator fishing on a breezy day and was constantly fighting a belly in my line.
Out of frustration I threw a rather large mend that didn't really move the indicator very far but it was fish on. I repeatedly repeated the 'move' with the same results almost every time.
Click to expand...
Lots of hits come after a mend I've found. Lots of twitches, retrieves. Sometimes they want it still, but usually after it's done something else, even if it's just pulling it in a bit and letting the fly drop again.
 
Wanative said:
We forgot to tell you that frequently it helps to move and or twitch the indicator when chironimid fishing.😁
Click to expand...
Fred - you just love to twitch and shout. Seriously - I too find, when fishing chironomids, that sometimes a slight tug to move the indicator will result in a take. When I'm fishing a leech or jig style leech under that bobber, I rarely let the orange and white thing sit still.
 
Buzzy said:
Fred - you just love to twitch and shout. Seriously - I too find, when fishing chironomids, that sometimes a slight tug to move the indicator will result in a take. When I'm fishing a leech or jig style leech under that bobber, I rarely let the orange and white thing sit still.
Click to expand...
I know Pat. I learned that from you.😊
 
I prefer flat calm water so I can see the slightest twitch or movement in the indicator. I give my flies movement by a couple short pulls then sit, then repeat, this not only hopefully makes my flies noticed but also keeps my line straight and tight, covers more water and kinda keeps me more in the game! I still miss way more takedowns than hookups....a.g.e.
 
Something I have observed in clear water. A fish will occasionally swim into your leader or affect it by swimming very close. this produces a very slight movement of the bobber, if anything. A twitch at this time can focus the attention of the fish on your fly.

Something a "knowledgeable" guy once told me is that if the fish is hooked in the nose, you are fishing the right depth. If hooked in the corner of the mouth then they have moved up or down to the fly. He didn't really answer when I ask about fish that might have moved laterally...

In two pole lakes, one rod sits in the holder and the other in hand. If it's possible to determine the best spot or hot rod, that is of course the one that stays in hand.
 
steelheardr99 said:
there was a discussion about fish hitting the swivel when you are using one under an indicator
Click to expand...
I'm curious, does this occur with black swivels as well as (flashy) silver or brass swivels?
 
Brian Miller said:
I'm curious, does this occur with black swivels as well as (flashy) silver or brass swivels?
Click to expand...
I've only tried the black ones. I use rings now instead.
I've foul hooked a few in the belly/butt, especially with the bottom fly. Sometimes I think they brush against the fly/swivel or tail slap it and when I set they get snagged.
 
Take Types: Suicide take, Taste test, Strong pull, and many others. Just lift on any, repeat, any funny movement of the bobber. It is cheap insurance and catches a lot of fish. Don't be waiting until the bobber goes all the way under, be aggressive - and fast. It is a speed event.
 
FishyJere said:
Take Types: Suicide take, Taste test, Strong pull, and many others. Just lift on any, repeat, any funny movement of the bobber. It is cheap insurance and catches a lot of fish. Don't be waiting until the bobber goes all the way under, be aggressive - and fast. It is a speed event.
Click to expand...
I do agree that bobber fishing and a quick set are important, until the quick set isn't. I find most hookups come from a quick set. Doubling up when fishing "2 poles" is interesting - hooked up to one fish and then notice something out of the corner of your eye. Oh boy, good times.

Back to @Brian Miller's question about swivel color. I guess Phil Rowley's new book goes into having multiple colors of swivels at your disposal. In BC you can fish only one fly per rod; it seems there's a belief that swivels can help you figure out fly color and fly depth - the swivel acts like a fly (sans hook). I'm of the camp that a fish missed to a swivel take is a fish missed. --it happens, with or without swivels.
 
Tom Butler said:
I've only tried the black ones. I use rings now instead.
I've foul hooked a few in the belly/butt, especially with the bottom fly. Sometimes I think they brush against the fly/swivel or tail slap it and when I set they get snagged.
Click to expand...
Anybody can hook fish in the mouth.....asshole or tail/fin hooked fish fight waaaay better! You’d swear you have an 18” fish on until it comes in backwards.......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top