Conference wahoo::fishing

     It depends on what bait or lure I'm using. Most times I keep the rod
    horizontal, at a 90� angle to the running line. That way, if I get a
    strike, the bait won't go sailing over my head on the hook set. :-)
    
     The Doctah

Depends on the bait.  For bottom baits like worms and jigs, I hold the rod tip
as high as possible (but leave room for a hookset).  This increases sensitivity
as the line (and therefore any strikes) are perpendicular to the rod, providing
the maxmimum movement of the rod tip.  If you hold the rod parallel to the
water, then the rod does not pick up or transmit vibrations/strikes/etc. as
well.  For topwater baits, holding the rod horizontal is okay as it is possible
to see the strike.  For 99.44% of all baits, I hold the rod so as to keep it
perpendicular to the line.

Tim

    Bart, your problem is quite simple. I hold my rod both ways depending
    on whay I'm using. For instants if I'm using a rubber worm  or say a
    jig (lures that you generally move slow) I'll hold my rod staight up
    so that when I feel the slightest hit or bit of movement I can point
    my rod tip down, reel in the slack and SET all in one motion. If your
    not used to this just practice. It works very well for me...95%
    The only time I point my rod horizontally is when I'm using fast moving
    lures ie; spinner baits, crank baits...you need to be ready for thoses 
    unexpected hits.
    I hope this helps.
    Ken
    ps what do ya think Manny?
    

    
    Or you could use a "Rodholder". Sit back, have a brew & relax.
    
    
    I didn't know there was a textbook method for holding rods? What style
    would the "lean the rod on the gunnal" be called?  
    
    I have to aggree that by positioning one foot slighty forward and
    pointed inwards and bending the knees a tad for cusioning the shock and
    holding arms outward with the rod butt cradled under the groin mussles
    will yield the most exemplatory results.
    
    
    I hate this cold weather!!!!  ARggggghhhhh!
    
    

    Bart,what ken is explaining is basically in my mind the best way
    to fish,but remember the type of lure you are using will determine
    which way to hold the rod.All it takes is practice and remembering
    jigs or rubber worms rod tip straight up.and crankbaits or spinners
    rod tip down.good luck and happy bassin.
     bassin manny.
    p.s ken i'm ready when you are,bass beware!!!!

So much of what I do while fishing becomes second nature that I have to stop 
and think about what I really do and why.  In general, I hold my rod tip at 
about 10 A.M. with a tight line while working worms, jigs and grubs.  This 
allows me to use the sensitivity of the rod tip to help detect strikes while 
leaving just enought of an arc in the line to see the more subtle strikes.  
It also leaves me with plenty of room for a hookset.  Unlike others who reel 
down to a horizontal position before setting the hook, I've tried to get 
into the habit of setting the hook immediately from the 10-11 o'clock position.
So far, the technique seems to work well for me.  Of course, having a rod 
like the All Star WR1 with lots of backbone makes a difference!

When using crankbaits or spinnerbaits, I like to keep my rod tip a little 
higher to absorb the hit.  Too many times I've had a good sized bass hit a 
crankbait while moving and with my rod held horizontal and have the line 
break.  I attribute this to not using the rod tip to cushion and absorb the 
impact of the strike.  This is especially true if you prefer to use lighter 
lines like 6-8# test (like I do).

Of course, when it's windy, I keep my rod tip down close to the water to 
minimize wind slack.

-HSJ- (anyone seen open water lately?  I've forgotten what it looks like!)

    	re. -.1:
    	YUP, PLENTY of OPEN WATER on Pueblo Reservoir.  At least 1000 acres
    of it.  Only ICE there yesterday was skim ice formed the night before. 
    Now, for Teller to open, the snows to leave and get replaced by RAIN
    (GIVE ME MORE WATER), and get the lower unit repaired.  (Open it
    tonight to see what is trashed!)  Then, high country reservoirs should
    start opening in about 1 month.  Northerns should start moving to the
    shallows in about 2 weeks on the lower lakes.  Should be FUN TIME,
    soon!  :-)

    
    RE:.6  I do the same thing Joe does but I hold my rod at 10:00 PM.
    
    -SSS-

    What about trolling then? How do you hold your rods when trolling
    normal surface lures (= no deepriggers or planners)? In 90 degree
    angle to boat or tilted backwards/forward? 
    
    It's ice-out time!
    
    Eki

    How do you hold the rod when you have a fish breaking water/jumping? I
    have seen some people stick their rod underwater in attempts to keep
    the fish down. It does appear they manage to get off more when out of
    water than in.

    Rich

Re: trolling

I don't do much trolling, but I would make sure that the rod tip is held
either high or at a 90 degree angle to the line.  The pressure of the trolled
lure/bait will put pressure on the rod, plus, when a fish hits the bait, you
want the rod to act as a shock absorber.  The rod can't absord the impact of
a striking fish if the rod angle to the line is almost flat.

Re: playing a fish

During tournaments, I'll keep the rod tip real low to help keep a fish from 
jumping and throwing the hook.  Most important is to keep the line tight.  
Again, keep the rod tip high to act as a shock absorber for any sudden 
surges or runs the fish might make.  When fishing for fun, I enjoy letting 
bass jump as it's far more exciting.  This gives me the chance to practice 
keeping a fish on.  If I lose it...so I've done a long distance catch 'n 
release.

I guess the important point to make is to let your rod do the work for you.  
The lighter your line, the more important it is to let the rod action help.  
Of course, proper setting of the drag and line condition also play important 
roles.

-HSJ-

>    How do you hold the rod when you have a fish breaking water/jumping? I
>    have seen some people stick their rod underwater in attempts to keep
>    the fish down. It does appear they manage to get off more when out of
>    water than in.
    
     It all depends on the quarry and your equipment. Light tackle marlin
    fishing requires different techniques than medium tackle bass fishing.
    
     For most freshwater applications, you want to keep the line tight. I
    usually put a good bend in the rod, and hold at 3:00 to 5:00 (to the
    side or down. This tends to keep the fish from jumping around as much
    as when you hold the rod high. Oh yeah, do not point the rod at the
    fish- it puts the pressure directly on the reel and leads to line
    breakage because the rod cannot absorb any of the shocks on the line.
    This is the opposite tactic for light line large fish (marlin, tarpon,
    etc). When the fish jumps, you are supposed to put as much slack in the
    line as you can, because the magnitude of the fish's movements cannot
    be tolerated by the line.
    
     The Doctah

    When dem big "O" salmon hit, you hold dat rod any which way you
    can; up, down, sideways, whatever! (don't reccomend the groin area!)
    Just don't point it at the fish! To him that means "I'm outa here".
    I use medium action 8' rods, so there is a lot of shock taken by
    the rod. I try NOT to hold it straight overhead just to keep clear
    of flying hooks should they pop free. I'd rather smack one into
    the canvas than my head!
    
    The best part is when they get 10' from the boat!! Then anything
    goes. I've had the reel under water to keep them out of the prop.
    Seems salmon like to keep the prop between you and them. Sort of
    like hide-and-seek, if you know what I mean. If I can, I'll take
    a fish off either side rather than the stern. That keeps em away
    from the prop, makes it easier to keep from falling overboard and
    I usually dont poke someone else in the _____ with the net handle!
    (Makes for a happier crew.)
    
    Wish I hadn't read this note! Now I want to go work on my boat and
    not customers! Oh well.
    
    Don 

    High when fishing slow moving bottom bumpers, low when fishing fast
    moving baits... 
    
    donmac
    

    I sure can relate with the Ontario method!
    It's fun when they take a turn around a downrigger
    cable that wasn't up all the way too or my first
    time over there when a buddy of mine was just starting
    to let the line out with a Jplug and the drag was
    tightened way down from reeling in the line previously and
    a king took it 20 ft behind the boat. He saw it jump,
    and closed the switch on the reel and all of a sudden
    all hell was braking loose behind the boat. The amazing
    thing was that after it jumped about 6 times, he finally
    realized the drag was closed down and loosened it but the
    salmon didn't brake the line in that first 20 msecond time
    frame. It must of been because it was only a baby (18 lbs) :-)
    
    Marty