Is smaller fish on heavy gear not a good combo???

[fishnNauru]

Hey All,
I've got two trolling rods, both all rllers, both with 80lb, one braid, one mono, and the braid rod is alot softer than the mono rod.
So think think the other day we had smaller tuna (5-10kg at a guess) on each rod (not at the same time but back to back) and on the braid rod i got the tuna to the boat(than lost him and the lure when he went round the prop, the motor was off, while trying to find the gaff...dope ) and the other I couldn't get near the boat as the rod had little to no bend and it was hard to keep the pressure on the fish...he took drag a time or two, but still with little to no bend in the rod. Anyway he got off and I was wondering if anyone else found that when fishing with heavier gear smaller fish are harder to land?
My mono rod I reckon would be great on a big fish (larger wahoo or bill)...but not so hot if they don't have the weight to get a bend in it.
It has been a while since I've had a decent fish on, so I may we way out of form, and it could be all angler error, and I'm trying to blame the tools, I just wondered what you guys reckon...
I've since rigged a lighter rod and smaller reel with 30lb for next trip to see if my theory holds true...murphys law is this is the one I'll hook up big on and be in all sorts of trouble Cursed be Murphy for always being right

[nigelr]

Yep, you've put the mockas on yourself now for sure!
Perhaps one way to compensate for the heavy rod would be to back off the drag a bit, particularly on the braid outfit. That will allow the fish to tire itself a little further from the boat, and not be so frisky when it gets close enough to see the boat. Unless of course you are getting sharked and need to get the fish in ASAP......
Cheers and enjoy!

[fishnNauru]

the braid outfit is a real goer, and I may have been abit "zealous" to get the fish to the boat...there are alot of sharks and dolphins that do the pinching round here so time can be of the essence...
Seen two reef sharks caught on halco lures in the last week...if that gives you an idea one had a tuna on b4 he bit...the other i reckon was just plain hungry

[fishnNauru]

are u serious that no one other than me as had issues landing smaller fish on heavier gear...I doubt it Cmon out with your tips or suggestions all of ya...

[Horse]

Usually they just get winched in. No problem at all

[NAGG]

just back the drag off

Chris

[Greg P]

Sounds like you need to prep the boat a bit better and have everything you need close to hand rather than worry about the lb rating of the rigs. No problem with that rating for the little fish in shark country, don't bother with a gaff, just grab the leader and swing them in.

Cheers ,

Greg

[fishnNauru]

All the locals here primarily us winches...but I'm a rod guy and like the feel and fight of a fish on rod over winch any day.
In hindsight i recon I should have just swung the first in, but was not sure on the hook up...and the gaff is always abit safer...
I understand the backing the drag off...but doesn't that then put less pressure on the fish giving greater chance of throwing the hook...wouldn't a softer rod be better???
Well thanks for the ideas. We'll give em another crack soon.

[marto78]

Imo you are more likely to loose the fish if your drag is to tight as there is no give in the set up and the hooks have more chance of pulling out or your knots failing when the fish goes for a run. You dont have to back your drag off all the way but just enough so that the fish can run a bit if it needs to especially when it is closer to the boat as that it is when you have the least amount of line out and therefore the least amount of stretch. Hope this helps some.
Marto