Strip Set the Hook
Bahamas and Carribean “What To Bring” List
- Lead the fish
- Let fly sink to bottom
- With a well placed cast you may not need to strip at all. Otherwise
- Short strip to get fish’s attention. Let it sit.
- Guide: “Okay, leave the fly there. Let it sink. Now short strip. Another short. Let it sink. Long strip.”
- If fish goes nose-down in the vicinity of your fly, he’s taking it
- Be calm! Don’t raise your rod! Just continue with a slow steady strip. If he’s taken the fly, you’ll feel resistance. This gradual pulling against the resistance will set the hook
- If the fish didn’t take the fly, don’t yank it away from him, continue strip/pause retrieve
Angler demonstrates a perfect “strip set”. Left hand removes slack in the line. Right hand keeps the rod tip pointed down. The resulting tension sets the hook.
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