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[KarateKick]

Guys I need some advice. I have been targetting coarse fish in the tidal Fraser, and have been getting lots of bites with various kind of bait, but for some reason I just can't hook any fish. When I feel the tug, I try to set the hook and reel it in, but nothing comes back except the rig, with or without the bait. I have tried different size hooks on different rigs, with the bait either on the bottom or dangling, and nothing works. Can anyone suggest a way to troubleshoot my techniques?

[RainbowMan]

what size hook are you using? probably your hook is too big for your target fish.

[cdjk123]

couple things could be wrong:

-Hook is too big or hook is too small. More likely too big.
-Bait is not on the hook properly, and they are just biting the part of it that isn't close to the hook
-They could be biting your weight or swivel, making the indicator go down
-Or you could be just getting what I call "curiousity" bites (meaning, they just will play with in their mouth for a split second and spit it out because they're curious)

[windsor17]

I was having this problem until I switched to smaller hooks.  I've had much more success with gamakatsu #14 hooks.  They are super sharp and small enough that the small fish get the whole hook in their mouth instead of picking off the bait.  It can help to wait till they commit to taking the bait before setting the hook instead of at the first peck too.  I've been using a tiny peice of worm and a tiny peice of gulp artificial worm to keep the bait from being stripped.  A ball of dough made from peanut butter and flour or bread works too.  Keep it small so the fish gets it in one bite.

[slava]

Try to fish under a small (1.5 - 2g.) float. Use thin line, about 0.2mm and you are going to get lots of bites. It's a good way to improve your reaction to hook fish.

[mesmer25]

Possible problem with hook-set too hard, you're ripping the hook out of the fishes mouth a small jerk is all that's needed especially for the size of the fish

Fish not committed to bait, light taps wait for a stronger tap

hook shape, some guys that I see when fishing the tidal Fraser have modified their small hooks to be more like a circle hook, this way they don't need to set the hook, the fish will hook themselves, note not all hooks can me modified easily some are very brittle and will break when bending

[DanL]

Could it be possible is that your bait is getting swarmed by small coarse fish that are taking your bait apart and picking your hook clean?

[mesmer25]

Sure its possible, also possible cray fish are getting to the bait before the fish do

[KarateKick]

Guys, thank you for all your advice. I will try everything you've suggested.

[KarateKick]

I was having this problem until I switched to smaller hooks.  I've had much more success with gamakatsu #14 hooks.  They are super sharp and small enough that the small fish get the whole hook in their mouth instead of picking off the bait.

Do many fish get gut-hooked with #14 hooks?

[windsor17]

Not many,  but occasionally.  I did gut hook a 4" starry flounder yesterday that was a bit of a suprise in the fraser.  I target pikeminnow to use as sturgeon bait and rarely catch anything I'd want to release so it's not much of a concern.