LAND more steelhead!

First off thanks to all following! I thought I'd share some helpful tips on bringing more steelhead to your feet. In the past decade there has been a movement towards heavier terminal tackle when targeting migratory rainbows. Rod manufacturers have improved the original noodle rod designs to become faster and more efficient fighting tools, line manufacturers have produced flourocarbon leader products that are more abrasion resistant and stronger for their diameters, and there are numerous carbon steel razor sharp hooks to choose from. In discussing lost fish with many of my customers, I've come to realize that many of us have changed the actions of rods that we use (stiffer, faster, more powerful) and yet we tend to stick with the main lines and leaders that first gave us confidence in years past. Remember that from rod tip to hook, all of your terminal tackle works in unison. Back in the day we used "noodle rods" matched with 6lb line and 2-4lb maxima leaders. We caught huge steelhead on thin lines and all was good. Then came flourocarbon leader line and we fooled those bows with 6lb leader. However the leader was so good, we started to break off above the swivel. Now we up size our mainline. Keep in mind, most quality EIGHT POUND flourocarbon measures at .008"in diameter (same as good ole 4lb maxima) Now we notice that the fish dont break us they pull off!!! What?? I caught tons o steelies on #14 Hooks in my day. The problem is that when the hook got set and started to bend, the leader stretched, when the leader stretched, the rod bent into a full "C" when the rod maxed out, we gave em some drag........The last element is hook size! When we move up to a size 8 or 10 hook, the wire size and strength increases proportionately completing a total terminal tackle upsize from rod tip to bait! For those critics who still believe they have to hide the hook in their bait, imagine a steelhead gorfing a plastic bead 1" away from a completely exposed hook! All I'm suggesting folks is that if you find yourself in the lower landing/higher hooking ratio part of the team a simple upsize in your rig should improve your success. I personally have changed to a heavier overall set up for about the past 8 seasons and have enjoyed huge success. For those fishing in pressured waters, seek out a brand of leader by diameter, not by the labelled test rating. The best flourocarbon leaders have a tensile strength of 6-8lbs while maintaining the same diameter as most 4lb monofilament! Gear up, Hook up and stay pinned by upsizing your tackle!! ( And fight the fish quickly to release in good health) Thanks for following, tight lines, Burk.