I have figured out that all throughout my life I have been sort of a micro fisher. Now not to the point of obsessing over minnows but satisfied with even catching small fish even playing with minnows using too large a hook because for me the enjoyment is in the fishing. In many cases that has been expanded by bringing some of the most beautiful creatures in nature to hand even though some are small. That said I first encountered true micro fishing through watching YouTube videos and became really intrigued with the thought of going after the smallest possible fish I can catch versus the largest. Now the scary part is I am beginning to be an old man and my eyesight is failing some although glasses help and well the fingers are not as nimble as they once were. Tying on these small fly hooks much less the specialized Japanese hooks kind of scares me but I figure I can make up a tippet with hook at home and do a loop to loop connection to line off the pole. Then comes baiting a hook I will find hard to handle with a small piece of bait that the same could be said about LOL. This is the part I am having trouble with figuring out how to do with like I said less than nimble hands. Now I saw a Japanese video where the guy was using a syringe filled with a "dough" bait he squeezed some out and simply pulled the hook through it to bait it but I have no clue what the bait was or actually how to make one that would work. I also have been thinking using hemostats to hold the hook and tweezers to put the bait on but I was wondering if there was a simpler method like described above you all could point me at to make or buy if I have to. BTW My plans are to actually get a specific Japanese style pole and tackle just for this but currently like many others I am starting out with my B&M I already have and a trip by the fly shop for hooks.
Researching this.
Started by
Guest_DOFishbuster_*
, Nov 12 2013 10:22 PM
14 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_BenCantrell_*
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Posted 12 November 2013 - 11:38 PM
Welcome to the site!
Look for presnelled microhooks so you don't have to spend time snelling or tying them. Owner and Gamakatsu both sell presnelled microhooks.
I've heard other people mention that they use tweezers to hold the bait while they pull the hook through it. It sounds like a good idea. As far as the Japanese dough bait, I know they sell gluten baits for Tanago fishing. I've tried half a grain of white rice with limited success, but for the most part I use tiny pieces of worm (nightcrawler, redworm, etc). Any small invertebrate you find in the water will work as bait. When it comes down to it, fish like to eat.
By all means be creative and try gear, bait, and methods that no one has talked about yet. The fun thing about microfishing is that there are no experts or authorities on the subject.
Tying on these small fly hooks much less the specialized Japanese hooks kind of scares me but I figure I can make up a tippet with hook at home and do a loop to loop connection to line off the pole.
Look for presnelled microhooks so you don't have to spend time snelling or tying them. Owner and Gamakatsu both sell presnelled microhooks.
Then comes baiting a hook I will find hard to handle with a small piece of bait that the same could be said about LOL. This is the part I am having trouble with figuring out how to do with like I said less than nimble hands. Now I saw a Japanese video where the guy was using a syringe filled with a "dough" bait he squeezed some out and simply pulled the hook through it to bait it but I have no clue what the bait was or actually how to make one that would work. I also have been thinking using hemostats to hold the hook and tweezers to put the bait on but I was wondering if there was a simpler method like described above you all could point me at to make or buy if I have to.
I've heard other people mention that they use tweezers to hold the bait while they pull the hook through it. It sounds like a good idea. As far as the Japanese dough bait, I know they sell gluten baits for Tanago fishing. I've tried half a grain of white rice with limited success, but for the most part I use tiny pieces of worm (nightcrawler, redworm, etc). Any small invertebrate you find in the water will work as bait. When it comes down to it, fish like to eat.
By all means be creative and try gear, bait, and methods that no one has talked about yet. The fun thing about microfishing is that there are no experts or authorities on the subject.
#3
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 12 November 2013 - 11:51 PM
The fun thing about microfishing is that there are no experts or authorities on the subject.
It does seem like a very "unfinished" hobby/sport. Kind of makes all of the participants pioneers. Create it as you go. Sooner or later somebody (probably you, Ben) will write the book on it.
#4
Guest_DOFishbuster_*
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 12:14 AM
Thanks for the welcome and tips. I hardly ever leave to go fishing unless it is saltwater without a can of worms gathered out the worm farm. See I also have a pond out back with catfish, various bream, and largemouth bass in it. Of course there are also minnows and at the right time of year various species of tadpoles (my daughter upon hearing about this adventure asked if you could catch them this way). Being retired I have decided that making my own leaders gives me something to do but after attempting it I may end up breaking down and buying them pre-made. I guess I need to find a good pair of tweezers both for working with the tiny hooks and baiting as I have some stored somewhere (I bought a mixed box of medical tools from an auction a while back) and I have my fishing hemostats. I have never been a big fan of dough type baits but I know for larger species that are more vegetarian in nature they work better than a "meat" offering so I assume it is the same for smaller species. I guess I also need to break out the Petersons and get familiar with the smaller species of native fish. All this said I also live near enough to the coast where I can fish in saltwater as well so this may have us put up another s/w aquarium and stock it with natives.
As far as writing a book goes if Ben does not want that job I just may take it up because as I said I am a retired old man and need something to occupy my time. Of course I still have to learn the sport first LOL.
As far as writing a book goes if Ben does not want that job I just may take it up because as I said I am a retired old man and need something to occupy my time. Of course I still have to learn the sport first LOL.
#5
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 12:24 AM
I did see somewhere in the micro-fishing subforum that there were some very simple connectors made for snelled hooks. Looked like an eyelet with a "J". Search for it, it seemed that it could make things much easier for someone with less than nimble fingers.
#6
mattknepley
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 06:29 AM
Welcome, fellow Palmetto-er! Glad to have you here. For what it's worth, my fingers aren't quite super-nimble so when I microfish I buy the presnelled hooks and do a loop to loop connection to the main line. (Such as you describe.) It serves me well enough, though I am sure it would prove unsuitable to the more advanced. Matt (Skipjack)is correct, somewhere in the microfishing discussions here there is a picture of a connector if you decide not to make your own.
Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#9
Guest_DOFishbuster_*
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 09:57 PM
LOL Matt loop to loop serves me well enough fly-fishing and I have pulled in channel catfish from the pond that are on average 10# but some are pushing 15#. It is also good to see someone else from SC even if you are quite a bit away from me =)
CMStewart thanks for the picture Skipjack I have seen those here http://www.tenkarabu...connectors.html But I usually shop around before I order anything. I am willing to bet they can be found other places.
CMStewart thanks for the picture Skipjack I have seen those here http://www.tenkarabu...connectors.html But I usually shop around before I order anything. I am willing to bet they can be found other places.
#10
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 10:15 PM
Those connectors seem pretty handy, very simple to work with. My problem is not my hands, but my failing eyesight. Almost blind without my glasses (near sighted) and at 40, I am peering under my glasses for close ups. I just don't want to commit to what I need, and that need is bifocals.
But let's be realistic here. When microfishing you don't need good fishing knots, hardcore connections, or anything else bombproof. You could tie a half hitch, square knot, or just twist the lines together really well, and still land that 3/4 ounce lunker. Antilunker.
But let's be realistic here. When microfishing you don't need good fishing knots, hardcore connections, or anything else bombproof. You could tie a half hitch, square knot, or just twist the lines together really well, and still land that 3/4 ounce lunker. Antilunker.
#11
mattknepley
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 10:28 PM
Blind, clumsy, and looking for the antilunker. We're one step closer to the Taoist master who fished the same stretch of stream every day for nigh on twenty years without ever a bite, much less catching a fish. When a passerby asked to see what he used as bait, the master answered, "The same as every other day", and brought his line in to show the passerby. There was no bait, no hook, no anything but the end of the line...
Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#12
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 10:48 PM
And the moral of the story is: "that Taoist master was a fool, and should have spent a few bucks on some hooks and bait".
"give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"
He just needed a lesson.
"give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"
He just needed a lesson.
#13
Guest_BenCantrell_*
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 11:24 PM
I use loop to loop to connect my lines, but I could see those connectors being very handy when you're frequently packing and unpacking your rods from your vehicle. Way too may times I've carefully set the rod with hook still attached in the car, promised myself the hook wouldn't stick into anything, and then the next time I open the hatch the hook is stuck in something with fabric. With the connector you could quickly unwrap the line and hook, stick it in a ziplock back, and then get it out at the next fishing spot.
#14
Guest_DOFishbuster_*
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 11:26 PM
I kind of like the one about the Zen master who upon seeing a caterpillar eat leaves off a bamboo stalk next to a stream went on a year long pilgrimage. Well the caterpillar kept on eating and once it reached the tip it spun itself into a cocoon. Well a wind came by and blew over the bamboo stalk because it was dead due to the caterpillar eating all the leaves. The shift in weight slowly caused the cocoon to unravel. As the Zen master was returning from his pilgrimage he chose to walk by the same stream and arrived to the bamboo pole just as the cocoon unraveled enough to hit the water upon which with a rapid almost lightening quick motion he grabbed it swinging out the largest trout ever seen on that stream which just so happened to eat the caterpillar's cocoon at that exact moment.
The moral to the story is sometimes it is just being at the right place at the right time. =)
The moral to the story is sometimes it is just being at the right place at the right time. =)
#15
Guest_DOFishbuster_*
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Posted 13 November 2013 - 11:31 PM
With my luck the bare line would wrap around everything. I actually had the line come loose from one of those line keepers on the reel once and almost spooled myself. See I drive a Jeep Wrangler and well keep the windows down or worse yet doors and top off =) Any fishing rod or pole has the hooks removed and line firmly secured unless I am simply moving down the road to another spot on the lake, river, or whatever.I use loop to loop to connect my lines, but I could see those connectors being very handy when you're frequently packing and unpacking your rods from your vehicle. Way too may times I've carefully set the rod with hook still attached in the car, promised myself the hook wouldn't stick into anything, and then the next time I open the hatch the hook is stuck in something with fabric. With the connector you could quickly unwrap the line and hook, stick it in a ziplock back, and then get it out at the next fishing spot.
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