Hi i was just wondering how you retrieve your fish:- winding in on the reel, or by pulling the line between your fingers.
Also what are the advantages and disadvantages of each.
thanks
robbie

How you play a fish is a matter of personal preference I have done both.With small fish 2-3lb it is perfectly ok to play it by hand in fact I prefer it. There is the downside that surplus line can become tangled around rocks, twigs, and feet.
For larger fish it is normal to play then from the reel. The tension on the reel is an essential to tire the fish and control its rushes.Below is an article I found which might help to explain a little clearer.

If you are fishing where it is very unusual for trout to take your line out into the 'backing'the thin line running from the fly-line and onto the reel and fish do not get much over 1.5 to 2kg (3 to 4lb) you can play the fish using the line only, without using the reel at all. Hold the rod at an angle of about 45 degrees to you body, point the rod tip toward the line coming off the water (never at the fish, unless of course the line is tight to the fish) and use your rod-hand forefinger to press the line against the rod handle.

You should try and maintain a constant bend in the rod, by gripping the line to apply tension or allowing the line to slip through your line-hand fingers, and rod-hand fore-finger. If the rod tip ducks down let the line slip. You should in general try to keep the rod at about the 45 degree angle, but if the fish really takes off lower the rod tip. The tip section is there to absorb the lunges of the trout, and to maintain constant pressure.
Your immediate job is to get the fish tight to the rod tip.

When you get an opportunity to retrieve some line, using your line hand, pull line in through your rod-hand forefinger - called 'stripping' the line. As you reach the end of a strip, grip the line with your rod-hand forefinger, and slide your line hand up to grip the line again. Your immediate job is to get the line tight between the rod tip and the fish. Then by stripping and slipping line the fish will gradually tire to the point where you can think about landing it.

I think it's good practice to learn to fight your fish off the reel. After all, that;s what the drag is for. fighting 'by hand' leads to trodden lines, line round the reel and lost fish. as soon as the fish is hooked, reel excess line onto the reel to avoid any problems. As an example, i always fought fish by hand and remember hooking a '20' at Lechlade, soon into the fight i realised the line was round my feet, the fish ran, i tried to shake it off my boot, but ping! the fish was gone. I see no benefit in not using your reel, which is why i spend money on one with a good drag in case that 2 pounder you hook turns into a 12 lb surprise salmon!!!

I prefer playing off the reel but as mentioned it depends on how much line you have off the reel at the take, but it usually is quite easy to let the fish run and catch up on the reel,mind you hand lining the line in is often the only way when a fish decides to charge towards you at great speed

Pete

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i reckon by hand i like to feel the fish, they change the strenth of fight so often during the play so i feel that the reel takes that away....

Small fish probably by hand, especially if they have taken close in. Otherwise I prefer to use the reel, for anything that might put up a decent or fierce struggle.

I used to bring everything in by hand because that was the way I was taught, but experience has persuaded me that the reel is normally a better way unless the fish will be very quickly on the bank.

I always play by hand but make sure any excess line is wound up onto the reel asap.

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