Backlash

I have always been told that i dont need a leader on a gotcha, but Sunday i lost another one because something bit threw my line again ?? Dont know what it was but this is getting costly replaceing gotcha's . Anybody else haveing the same trouble ?? If so how can you fix it ?

Framerguy

To my knowledge, gotchas don't have an invisible tooth shield on them or any other lure for that matter!! :doh

I lost one gotcha to what I suspect was a spanish 2 summers ago and, since then, I have fished them with a small steel leader. I use the red leaders by choice, no other reason, and I haven't lost one since. :toast

(I practice losing all my lures off the tailgate of my truck pulling out of parking lots!!!) :doh :banghead :doh

I take most suggestions of questionable nature with a grain of salt, bottom line, does the suggestion make any kind of common sense to me?? If it doesn't then I go with my gut instincts .................. always.

Rampage

I always use awirewith Gotchas. If something toothy is gonna hit it there is a good chance your gonna get cut off. Thats my experience anyway. Some folks may have different opinions on it.

Here is one i caught a couple of weeks ago on aMed. action bass rodunder a school of feeding bonitas. You can see the gotcha with a leader on it..

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1980' Mako 236 Inboard
"You gotta want it!!!"

Drag Fever

I like to use a leader of 30 to 50 lb mono or Fluorocarbon line. Seems to get more hits than the steel. Inspect line after each fish and retie when needed. My 2 cents.

JoeZ

For Gotchas I tend to skip the leader and tie straight to 25-plus-pound power pro.

Like with mono or flouro, check the line for abrassions. You can usually get 6-8 Spanish before you have to cut and retie.

captken

I fish a Gotcha or jig fast and jerky. The jerky retrieve throws the fishes aim off. This causes them to bite the line above the lure. On a straight retrieve, you don't get bit off as often but you don't get as many strikes, either. You definitely foul hook fewer fish on straight retrieves. I'll bet most of the Gotchas fall straight to the bottom after bite off.

I use 18-24" of 30# or so of 7-Strand wire tied directly to my line with no swivel. I do not use Nylon coated wire because it is too visible. Yeah, I get fewer strikes but I spend less time retying so I guess it works out.

I make my own Gotcha copies for a few pennies each so cost is not the object. I prefer my single hook version fos safety sake. (me and the fish) I don't eat Spanish or Bluefish but I do like to catch them. With a single barbless hook, i can simply shake the fish off without worrying about getting a hook.



BTW, Barefoot in a boat can sure lead to grief. I always suggested shoes for clients. I saw several bad hookings in feet over the years. It is mighty hard to get a hook out of your foot.

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Captken
http://www.panhandlefishingbooks.com/

JoeZ

Ken,

I know you post a ton of tips. Have you shown your Gotcha copies yet?

Backlash

The leaders you use, it looked to be single strand ? And how long would you make it ?

ironman172

These are what I use....I have caught 75 spanish on one before changing it....it is the smallest diameter leader that I have found(12lb).It will get alittle curled, coiled....but hasn't affected the catch.

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Bill
...........................................RETIRED ......

fishn4fun

i like to use 40# mono with no swivel spanish will hit at your swivel you have to change it about every third fish but i think that you get alot more strikes than wire.