Turning a big fish away from structure, this angler uses his reeling hand—his left—to palm the spool to apply maximum stopping pressure.
March 27, 2025
By Brenton Roberts
The fish of your dreams finally ate and you’re already planning that “grip and grin” shot. Yes, you’ve hooked it, but you’re not quite there. Fighting the fish is the other half of the battle. The right tools and technique can secure that hero shot.
Open Water Flats, marsh creeks, depressions: Anywhere there is no structure, there is less opportunity for the fish to break you off. This allows for lighter tackle and lighter drag to be used with confidence.
I tend to keep my light spinning reel drag at about two pounds, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is more than you think when fighting a fish. Plus, you can enjoy the fight. Let the fish run!
On a recent trip to the Nature Coast, Captain Tyler Trudell (saltystashcharters.com ) and I set down our standard 2500-sized flats combos and picked up 1000s and 6-pound braid, rods that most folks use for panfish. But, with nowhere for the fish to go and proper technique, we landed multiple over slot redfish and snook. And boy I can’t tell you how much fun it was!
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With fish in open water, a good steady “pull up and reel down” fighting style works well. Steady being the key. Sporadic drops or jerks of the rod can allow the hook to pull or fall out.
Avoid lifting your rod too high. Fighting a fish with your rod close to or beyond vertical causes two things. First, the backbone of the rod blank is not used at this angle, and that is where your fish-fighting power comes from. You may also “high stick” a fish and roll the tip, causing the rod to break.
Structure When fishing around docks, mangroves and other structure, the fight is completely different. You MUST get that fish away from the barnacle-encrusted gauntlet, which makes quick work of any line and leader.
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Clockwise that drag knob goes, as it is tightened down, sometimes to the point of almost locked, which is often the case when targeting monster snook.
The rod and reel size also jumps up from the open water. For example, if I’m fishing live shrimp in open water on a 2500-sized combo, I will switch to a 4000 and a heavier rod. I may lose a bit of casting distance, but it’s about fish-fighting power in this instance. Leader size also increases with the tackle. The first two numbers of the reel size often correspond with the leader I will fish for that setup. A 2500 gets 25-pound, a 4000 gets 40-pound and so on for snook, jacks and tarpon.
Pulling snook out of docks and mangroves is what I grew up doing and will forever be a favorite of mine. It’s a brawl. You best be quick and methodical, or you will lose.
First thing is to keep your rod low and pull to the side instead of pulling up. This allows every inch of that rod blank to work. Pull to the strong side, too, often across your body. I hold the rod with my right hand, so I pull across toward my left shoulder, there is much better leverage this way. Short, quick pumps of the rod are best. Gain as much line as you can as fast as you can. You want to turn the fish’s head. It’s all about leverage when breaking a fish’s spirit. He goes left, keep that rod down and pull as hard as you can to the right and vice versa. Do your best to not let him “slide” side to side causing you to lose leverage. Big jack crevalle are notorious for this, quickly taking you into the dock.
Use the boat to your advantage. Turning or backing away from the structure with the trolling motor can put the odds in your favor. Remember how I said to stay low? Well, prepare to go even lower, all the way into the water that is. Low-hanging mangrove roots are quick to grab your line as a fish runs to the trees. Sticking your rod in the water when this happens allows that line to pass under these and avoid a breakoff.
Another use is when a fish is boat side. I’ve seen it numerous times: A fish surges one last time, swimming under the boat, the angler then leans way back, lifting the rod to the sky trying to pull it out, loses leverage and rolls the tip. Pop! goes the rod and often the line and fish, too.
If a fish goes under the boat, go with it. Stick your rod in the water, deep if necessary. I’ll go almost to my reel at times. This allows you to still fight the fish with the backbone of the rod, avoids your line rubbing on the gunwale and lets your line get under the trolling motor, which is often necessary when a fish surges.
Now let’s see those trophy pictures!
This story was featured in the March 2025 issue of Florida Sportsman magazine. Click to subscribe .
