Hi Guys

Im looking for advice on increasing the number of "Hook Up's"

I only hook and land a small percentage of the pike that take many flys some are hooked but come off before the net ?? others simply dont get hooked

Im wondering should you strike as soon as the feel or see the pike hit the fly ??

Or should you wait ??

Interested to hear from the pro's

__________________
Englander

"Barbless since 2008"

Vision GT Four catapult 9' 6#
Vision GT Four SW 9' 9#
Vision 3 Zone 9' 5#
Vision Cult 9' 3#
Shakespeare Trion 9' 5/6#
Cortland Endurance 9' 6#
Shakespeare Expedition float tube
Vosseler DC3 reel
Okuma Helios 8/9 reel
Greys G series 3/4 reel
Snowbee Geo 3/4 reel

hi mate i pause and lift just like a dry fly take ..works most time for me but the small fish sometimes come off due to the way they fight and the big girls take it just right... but if this dose not work out it has to be your hooks size or qualtiy. it is hard to do but when mastered it is awesome ..dont strike just lift pulling hard and fast will only take the fly out of the mouth of a fish sometimes hooking on the front of the lips ... i ues 2/0 & 3/0 sakuma manta 540s good luck

Strip strike all the way... don't lift into it. Rod tip low and pointed at the fly... most takes are on the pause and will self hook or hook up on the next strip. If you lift in you will lose the fish more often than not. Also I have found that mixing natural fibre with synthetic works well as you can get a false hook up where synthetic fibres get mattted it the top teeth (that nice toothy velcro pad!) and that stops a hook up.

I also use the sakuma manta per Rook... but had a play with a size 1 Turrell SW with tons of marabou on it... hehe nice pike LOL!

Above all make sure that your hooks are sharp! Sharpening stone is a vital piece of equiptment...

What hooks are you tying on Englander??

Dougie

Dougie

Ive ruled out the hooks, as i use Kamsan, Ad sweir, Mustard, plus other of different sizes and styles .................

So im pretty sure it more to do with whats im doing when thw pike takes the fly

__________________
Englander

"Barbless since 2008"

Vision GT Four catapult 9' 6#
Vision GT Four SW 9' 9#
Vision 3 Zone 9' 5#
Vision Cult 9' 3#
Shakespeare Trion 9' 5/6#
Cortland Endurance 9' 6#
Shakespeare Expedition float tube
Vosseler DC3 reel
Okuma Helios 8/9 reel
Greys G series 3/4 reel
Snowbee Geo 3/4 reel

I read an article a wee while back that said that you should just keep the retrieve going after the first take, as the pike are just taking the fly then, and haven't actually closed their mouths. Then when you feel the second pull, you should strip strike by pointing your rod down the line and pulling sharply. Then raise your rod and play the fish.

Hope this helps you,

john

Strip strike is preferred. Pike with longer streamer and zonker flies can 'tail nip' as do trout. On their day pike can be picky following lures to the boat edge with out a take. For the day's where fish a slightly cautious (usually bright, clear days) I find streamers tied with a second single hook tied into the tail dressing, drastically improves hook ups.

Retrieve untill you feel the weight of the fish and then lift the rod dont strike, or at least thats what I used to do. Some pike will be splashy/showy but they are not interested anyway, they wont get hooked on a three treble lure outfit never mind a fly. I think I used to average 50/50, havent been out in ages but plan to give it a go again this winter.

Really resist lifting the rod... why? These are hard mouthed bony beggars and if you lift into the fish you 'll find that you won't set the hook all the time...


As a side note I recommend that everyone who fly fishes for pike should join the PFFA. Why? Loads of info and it'll help you improve your sport and hopefully ensure the continued well being of your pike.

I was just thinking about the percentage game...

This year I've had over 200 pike off the yak on the fly and the season isn't over. I think I must have lost ten at the most... all throwing the hook and one fish over the 30 pound mark busting up my 10 wt. No break offs and I use 80lb hard mono for all my traces. Like offshore states all hook ups were strip striked.