Catch 82/365

"Steer em' out"

Ever find yourself in this situation...a snook inhales your lure and promptly finds himself wrapped up in a pile of mangrove roots or numerous dock pilings?  As soon as a snook, and many other species, feels the hook it is going to the first structure it can find.  To keep them from getting to that structure try these tricks.






1.  Try gradually steering the fish away from the structure.  The harder you pull against a snook the harder it pulls back.  BUT, "leading" a fish in the direction you want it to go by steering him with the rod can change his direction in a hurry. It takes a little practice, but over time it is easy to actually lead (not unlike walking a dog on a leash) the fish right around structure into open water.

2.  If the snook wins and gets into, and wrapped up, in structure first try putting the reel into freespool and/or backing off the pressure completely.  With no pressure often times the fish will swim back out the exact way it came in.  If it doesn't, it can often be slowly and easily lead back around and out of a tangled situation.  Just remember the harder you pull, the harder the fish pulls back...so back off, ease up, and steer the fish out.   

Below is a little video of Capt. Eric (http://www.freighttrainfishing.com) using these tricks while fighting a snook at Jupiter Inlet.

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Post by JUNO BAIT.