Is it all over after the hook up?

[keastman]

Thought I'd throw this out there for discussion. This mostly pertains to sight cast fishing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the whole experience but for me the attraction of it all is in the process of stalking them, getting close enough for a good shot, and then being able to place a fly that you have tied well enough and present it so that the fish is tricked into eating it. To me, the solid hook up is the peak of the experience. I enjoy the fight and landing the fish, but it's more about the hook up for me and the fight is just the icing on the cake. I'm disappointed if the fish comes unbuttoned in the fight but it's still the hook up that does it for me.

[shallowrunner123]

For me its the whole process of trying to figure out what is working that particular day. Is it the top water, subsurface, how fast do you need to twitch it to elicit strike etc. Catching fish is just a confirmation that you got it this time. Makes me smile when I see somebody getting upset because they didnt catch anything that day. If its the meat you want you be better of soaking a chunk of mullet on the bottom- thats a sure way to go. So yes I definitely enjoy a good fight but being there and brainstorming is what makes me go back all the time.

[Black Clouser]

Got to agree with Kevin on this one . What makes flood tide grass fishing so special for me is the hunt and finding these fish in their elements. I just love scouting them out whether it be searching for a tail tip or staring at moving blades of grass. That's probably why I'm just as happy with a push pole in my hands guiding someone as with a fly rod in hand chasing them myself.
BC

[islandspeed2001]

Your fishing experience is like your experience with women. Good to hook them but you don't care if they get away

[Kudzu]

For me it's the thrill of getting close enough to delicately present the stick of dynamite while not being too close to feel the effects.

[BenPaddlin]

I'm with Black Clouser, I enjoy poling around scouting for them whether I'm poling or casting. The only frustrating part about poling is when someone misses their cast you're thinking you could have made it!!!

[TexasDave]

...I enjoy the whole experience but for me the attraction of it all is in the process of stalking them, getting close enough for a good shot, and then being able to place a fly that you have tied well enough and present it so that the fish is tricked into eating it. To me, the solid hook up is the peak of the experience. I enjoy the fight and landing the fish, but it's more about the hook up for me and the fight is just the icing on the cake. I'm disappointed if the fish comes unbuttoned in the fight but it's still the hook up that does it for me.

Absolutely. For me, its the strike. If they come unbuttoned, well thats life. Enticing a fish into eating my hand tied fly is the reward. Its also why I prefer Topwater with my regular fishing. I just love the strike!

[jptrout]

I agree. Searching them out, putting one of your own bugs out there and having them eat it is what the game is. With the 8 wt rods I've been using, once they are hooked, it's really over. Will be switching to a 6 wt soon if it ever comes in. Since I am a die hard dry fly fisher in freshwater, the grass fishing has become even more exciting and appealing with the advent of topwater flies this year!