Tip #3: How To Fight A Strong Fish

If you hook in to a big fish whether you land it or not is going to depend on both your technique and your equipment. Also... some luck helps too. We have all had big fish wrap themselves around a rock and snap our line so luck is always a factor.

The correct technique for battling a fish is to get it on the reel immediately. After you set the hook you should immediately reel in any excess line and get the fish on the reel. Your drag should be set properly and you should let the reel tire the fish out. Keep your rod tip high in the air and be patient, but know that the more quickly that you land the fish the better, if you are catch and release fishing.

Your equipment is crucial when battling large fish on fly rod. You need a reel with an exceptionally smooth drag. If you are saltwater fly fishing that I would recommend the Tibor Riptide Reel. For trout fishing I like either the Orvis Battenkill Midarbor or the Sage 2500 Series Drag Reel.