How to Land a Big Fish on a Pier
The excitement of hooking and fighting a large fish from a pier can soon give way to a feeling of dread when you realize the fish could still get away when you attempt to land it. The combination of a large fish and the distance between you and the water can create a scenario that allows the fish to snap the line when you try to get it up to where you are standing. By being prepared for such a situation and staying calm you can get your big fish up onto the pier for everyone to see.
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Instructions
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Have a plan in place for handling what to do if you hook a large fish. By having an idea of what you want to do you will be able to remain collected as you battle the fish and try to land it. If you are with others discuss your plans with them so they will know what to do when the time comes.
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Invest in a drop net. This type of net is worth its weight in gold when you have a large fish on the line. A drop net attaches to the railing of the pier from where you can lower it down to near the surface of the water. It remains open the entire time and when you have a large fish on the line, you can swing it over and into the net and then haul it up by the rope.
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Tire a large fish out thoroughly before trying to land it without the use of a drop net on a pier. Keep the line taut and maintain constant pressure on the fish to make it expend energy. Look for signs that the fish is tired such as it turning over on its belly near the surface.
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Hoist the fish out of the water after locking your reel so that it cannot reel backwards. Keep your arms extended and point your rod tip downwards toward the fish over the side of the pier. Reel in slowly until you get the fish close enough to hoist up over the side.
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Raise the fish using your arms, keeping the line steady and avoiding any sudden jerking motions that could snap the line. Walk backwards on the pier as you do this, but do not reel in any line at this point. Swing the fish up onto the pier when you get it close enough.
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Get help from a fishing partner if you have one. Purchase a long-handled fishing net that someone can handle with minimum effort. Make sure your partner does not attempt to control the fish by grabbing the line. This will allow the fish to have the advantage to break the line if it begins to struggle. Have your partner net the fish when you get it close enough to do so safely and in a controlled manner.
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