Originally Posted by
mrdux
I think a very slow tip rod is a huge plus when longlining. A stiff rod may make you feel better about hooking fish but if the rod is in a holder, I think the whippy tip of a slow rod lets the fish mouth the jig and take a second longer to get it in its mouth. To me, longlining is much more about the fish hooking itself. I rarely set the hook on a fish that has loaded up the rod with a bite. I will sweep the rod back slowly to put more pressure on the fish then start reeling it in. Trying to cross the fish's eyes with a hook set is more something I might do when spider rigging.