5/16/2008

Arching the Rod

Even light line can be set hard without the threat of snapping under the great pressure of setting the hook

Timothy Kusherets

Battling a huge salmon in the photo I’m able to hold onto it with the mainline at ten-pound mainline and six-pound test leader without the threat of it breaking (reversing the mainline and leader strengths is an excellent technique for putting fish on the bite where fishing pressure prevails). Note how my right elbow is in line with the butt of the rod. It seems like an over simplification to keep the bend of the rod but you'd be surprised at how often this critical component of fishing is overlooked.

When a fish is on the end of the line it’s critical to keep the tip of the rod up and the butt down; this creates an essential arch that the mainline can follow up the rod. So long as the rod remains in this arched position, even the lightest line can be set hard without the threat of snapping under the great pressure of setting the hook.
To maximize pressure make sure to keep the butt of the rod in line with the entire length of the forearm. By keeping the butt tightly pressed against the forearm I'm able to maximize pressure of the rod and line without risking a break-off that might otherwise be caused with slack. One of the hidden benefits of constantly arching the rod is that anglers are able to use barbless hooks with the same reliability that is commonly associated with barbed hooks. Catch-and-release anglers are able to utilize this method of fishing with the added benefit of safely being able to release fish back into the blue.
Regardless of the direction that the fight is taking place, never point the tip of the rod in a direct line of the flailing fish or risk the fish breaking off. Without the constant pressure created by the arch of a bent fishing rod there is a high probability of damaging the mainline, rod tip, and guide to the reel.