Trouble Getting Hookups

[yonderin]

Have spent a couple days on a local lake and having big issues getting a good hookset. Lots of strikes but no matter what I do, missing a lot of fish. I've been suspending under an indicator.

 

I have;

a. tried different timing, from immediate to a very long "God save the Queen";

b. tried varying the depth I'm suspended thinking to shorten the line and resulting reaction time;

c. focused on keeping as short and straight a line to the indicator as possible;

d. tried raising my rod tip slowly, quickly, sideways and strip setting;

e. confirmed the sharpness of my hooks; and

f. bent the hook tip a bit sideways.

 

Wasn't too surprised when using leech patterns but scuds and nymphs are the same issue.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks.

[trailhead]

Depending on the lake, but if it was recently stocked the fish could be on the smaller side, you could try going smaller on the hook size.

[ÜberFly]

Go hit the red mile!!

[monger]

Tiny fish hit fast and often don't hook up

[yonderin]

Thanks but I'm not sure size of fish was all I had for a problem. Indicator was taken well under a few times and I felt good weight for a second on some of my sets. Maybe just bad mojo those days.

[monger]

Did you get any scales on your hooks? Often the fish will cruise around checking out the fly, they may bump the the leader and it looks like a bite but actually isn't. There are days when I accidentally snag fish while indicator fishing. If you inch your line in slowly it may help with hook up success

[yonderin]

Somebody else suggested I was snagging last second refusals on a fin. Never specifically looked for or noticed scales on the fly. No doubt there was some of that but 40-50 fish over 4 days on two different lakes? Beginning to think a lot of it is the gods are displeased with me.

 

Thanks for the suggestion about inching my line in. Will have to keep that one in mind next time I hit a lake.

[BTCA]

I experienced that as well, the indicator went under on every cast! but no hook ups.

I remedied it by exactly doing what Monger suggested, I moved or inched the indicator slowly and started to hook up.

The fish might thought the Chironomid was getting away and hit it harder.

[Villageidiot]

Are you fishing a swivel above your flies?

[yonderin]

Never have. Do you recommend it?