"Marty" wrote in message SNIP


I rarely feel hits with worms, Senkos or soft jerkbaits, so I have to
watch my line to detect hits. Without the line-watching, I'd either catch
far fewer fish or catch many more gut-hooked fish.

I'll readily concede the possibility (probability?) that I lack what it
takes to detect hits by feel (even with Fireline). But I am what I am, and
whatever that is, it requires me to carefully watch the line.


Two of the reasons why you're not feeling the hit is because of either the
rod itself, or the way you're holding the rod. On spinning tackle, I
changed my grip to ahead of the reel foot. Then, I can easily extend my
index finger and keep it on the rod blank itself. The handle set on most
rods really dampens the feel, so keeping your finger on the blank really
helps to feel more bites. Of course too, it helps to use a good blank in
the first place.

I cut my teeth fishing walleyes on livebait rigs. If you want to fish a
frustrating, picky and finicky species of fish, try fishing walleyes! Bass
are easy to feel in comparison.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com