10 Ways to Miss a Fish

Bringing a large fish on a boat
There are a number of things you can do to improve your odds of landing a fish.
Jon Dickens

After a long day at the rail, you’ve been tirelessly switching out bait, eager to find the liveliest sardine in the baitwell. With 20-pound line, a matching fluorocarbon leader, and a No. 2 light-wire hook, you’ve set the stage for success. Suddenly, your bait darts away like a startled cat with a growling dog in pursuit. Then you feel that unmistakable thump—your moment has arrived. You count to three, engage the reel, and swing into action. You’re on!

This scenario is all too familiar for those who have fished off the Pacific Coast, particularly on single- and multi-day boats. The battle has just begun, but a single misstep can turn triumph into disappointment. So, what are those common pitfalls that can ruin your chances? Here are ten tips to help you steer clear of disaster, mostly gleaned from California’s bluewater headboats but applicable to any offshore angler in pursuit of a giant catch.

Not Having Your Drag Adjusted Properly

“It’s surprising how many skilled anglers panic when they hook a big fish, cranking down their drag as soon as they feel any pull, even with 300 yards of line at their disposal,” says Capt. Aaron Graham, owner of the Native Sun sport-fishing boat out of San Pedro, California. “If your drag is set too tight, you’re risking a break-off, and if it’s too loose, you’ll lose control of the situation and struggle to stop the fish.”

Make it a habit to set your drag appropriately—tailored to the line’s pound-test and the species you’re after—before you start fishing. Once you’ve got it dialed in, leave it alone. A safe rule of thumb is to set your drag to about 30 percent of your line’s pound-test rating if your knots are reliable. Many anglers lose hefty fish simply because they were fiddling with the drag instead of focusing on the fight.

Large tuna on the boat
The difference between landing and losing a tuna often comes down to your approach during the fight. Stay active and follow your fish around the boat. Also, be cautious not to overpower the tuna too quickly as it can unintentionally damage its mouth.
Steve Carson

Not Staying in Front of Your Fish

If your fish decides to run to the left or right, don’t hesitate—you need to chase after it to keep it in front of you. Failing to do so could mean tangling with someone else’s line, and we all know how that ends. Remember the saying, “No angles, no tangles.”

As you pursue your fish along the rail, stay nimble with a technique we call the “walk and wind.” Move swiftly to keep the fish in sight while continuously cranking the reel handle. If you don’t, the fish can gain slack and make it much easier for it to throw the hook. Always maintain pressure on your line; otherwise, you might as well say, “Adios, amigo.”

Angler with rod bent by a big fish
Slow and steady wins the race.
Jon Dickens

Pulling Too Hard

When you hook into a larger fish, particularly near reefs or rocky structures, that fish will likely dart for cover among the sharp edges. In such scenarios, you need to exert pressure and reel quickly to turn the fish’s head. The type of tackle you have plays a major role in how much force you can apply. While stronger line may give you an edge, it’s not always what you’ll be using.

If that fish takes you into the kelp and you’re using a kelp-cutter rig—braided line with a short fluorocarbon leader—the braid often does a fair job of cutting through the kelp. If, however, the fish refuses to budge, consider switching your reel into free-spool mode and wait to see if it swims free. Occasionally, relaxing tension can trick the fish into thinking it’s no longer hooked, allowing you to make your move and reel in quickly. I’ve successfully landed several big calico bass using this approach.

Be cautious though; pulling too hard can result in lost fish. If you’re using lighter line, excess pressure could snap your line. Alternatively, if you’re fighting a tuna with heavier tackle, pulling too hard can wear a hole in its mouth and result in losing your hook. Lately, I’ve adopted a more cautious approach, especially with longer, more parabolic rods and lighter line that may get more bites. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the fight while you’re at it.

Not Paying Attention to Other Anglers’ Lines

Master the art of the over/under game. Communication is key: notify others when you’re moving down the rail and whether they should go over or under your line. Think ahead and leverage your peripheral vision to navigate around other lines. Be the LeBron James of fishing—anticipate the action before it unfolds.

Also, stay alert for lethargic gamefish. They can easily catch you off-guard. During a fishing trip to Catalina Island, I once hooked a calico bass using a sardine that seemed small. As I steadily wound it in, it suddenly transformed into a yellowtail and bolted! I hadn’t anticipated its burst of speed, which led to a tangled mess and a lost catch. It’s crucial to keep tabs on your fish and never stop expecting the unexpected.

Reeling in a large fish
Many anglers only know how to pump and reel during a fish fight. However, seasoned West Coast captains advise that maintaining pressure with a consistently bent rod can be the key to success during a pelagic battle.
Jon Dickens

Pumping Instead of Straight-Winding

Often, anglers will press the butt of the rod against their hip for extra leverage while fighting a fish. While this can be effective when the fish is right below you, it’s not the best approach when you need to follow a lively fish. Keeping the rod under your armpit offers better mobility, especially on crowded boats where maneuverability is essential.

Capt. Dave Hansen of YourSaltwaterGuide.com believes that one of the biggest mistakes anglers make is jerking or pumping the rod instead of keeping it straight to maintain a bend. “Stay close to the rail to keep track of your line,” he recommends, “and hold your rod high with the reel against your chest. This keeps a constant bend in the rod.”

“Keep in mind, we’re fishing, not hunting. Let the fish have its run. Having all that line out adds drag, causing the fish to exert extra energy. When it relents, lift your rod and, ‘Turn the handle, Randall!’ Most anglers simply don’t put enough pressure on their catch. And please, never put your thumb on the spool. Tackle manufacturers spend substantial resources developing drag systems; let them do their job instead of risking burnout on your thumb and losing that prized fish.”

Using Braid Instead of Mono

“Many anglers would fare better if they opted for monofilament line or spectra backing with a long mono top shot and possibly a fluorocarbon leader,” says Pat O’Brien, captain of the esteemed sportboat Aloha Spirit out of Oxnard, California. “Monofilament acts as a shock absorber, leading to a higher hook-up-to-land ratio. Take your time, be observant of your surroundings and be mindful of your line. It might take a bit longer to land a large fish, but if you keep a steady, straight-winding motion without pumping, you’re looking at a 90 percent success rate. Using mono is a game-changer.”

Not Checking Your Line for Frays

Once you finally get a bite, it’s natural to want to cast quickly to capitalize on the moment. But did you take a moment to inspect your line for frays after the last fish or that encounter with the kelp?

“Make it a routine to run your fingers over the top 6 to 10 feet of line after landing each fish,” advises Sergio Fainsztein of the Angler Chronicles TV show and on-the-water fishing schools. “If not, you can guess what happens next. Plus, remember to regularly check your guides with a Q-tip for any grooves that could cause fraying on your line. Many anglers find themselves breaking off fish without realizing they had a cracked guide or a rough spot.”

Read Next: How to Best Fight Fish

Gaffing a large fish
When the fish gets close to the boat, make sure to help the deckhand position it for a clean gaff shot. Keep the fish’s head in the water and ease it towards the gaff. Don’t forget to keep your reel in free-spool once the fish is gaffed, as species like yellowtail can break free.
Jon Dickens

Not Laying the Fish Out for Gaffing

To ensure the deckhand has the best chance of getting the fish on board, you need to do your part. As the fish nears the surface, keep its head submerged while guiding it toward the gaff. Lay it out to make it easier for the crew to secure it. Too many anglers lose fish during the gaffing process due to mishaps or equipment failure—let’s avoid that heartache. Stay calm and heed the crew’s directions.

Not Free-Spooling After the Fish Is Gaffed

After gaffing, make sure to hold your thumb on the spool while keeping the reel in free-spool mode. This way, if your catch manages to free itself from the gaff, line can release from the reel to soften the fall and prevent breakage. Neglecting to maintain spool tension may lead to a fierce backlash, resulting in lost fish.

At the close of a recent season’s Southern California dorado invasion, I hooked a bull that showcased impressive acrobatics and took off like a rocket. Each time it spotted the boat, it would dart away again—a formidable opponent. When the deckhand aimed for a headshot with the gaff, he made the connection, but just as the fish was about to clear the rail, it twisted free. Thankfully, I’d kept the reel in free-spool with my thumb on the 15-pound line, allowing the fish to re-enter the water without breaking my line. This gave me another shot at the fight! On the second attempt, the gaff held, but had I not set my reel to free-spool initially, that would have been the end.

Not Listening to the Crew

Sometimes, in the heat of fighting a big fish, anglers become so fixated on the action that they drown out everything else. While focus is definitely important, dismissing crew instructions can lead to disastrous outcomes. The crew is experienced, having seen countless scenarios and can often predict the next move in the fight. Trust me, they want you to land that fish just as much as you do. So, listen to their advice.

Keep these potential missteps in mind next time you find yourself hooked up, and you’ll improve your chances of putting that prize fish on the deck.