Fishing techniques for trolling/drifting, setting the hook & fish under rock

Hi all,

I typically troll for halibut using the bounce ball method. I was told when you are trolling, not to set the hook, but let the fish take it for a second or two, then start reeling it in. What do you guys do?

Is the same true if you are just drifting?

And if something really big hits your line, do you let it run for a while (and how long is a while?), or do you increase the drag to its maximum level quickly (like within 5 seconds) and try to reel it in quickly?

And if a fish goes into a hole / under a rock, does that make it really hard to get out? What technique does one use to get it out?

This past weekend, I was drifting in fairly fast current off Angel Island, and I got three big hits. It took off with my line extremely fast and for a long time. So I thought it was a bat ray, so I let it go for a while. They were all very hard to fight. The 4th hit was much lighter, but still a decent hit / fight, and it was a 27" Ling Cod. Which got me thinking, if a big Ling cod dives into a hole / under a rock, does that make it really hard to get out?

Halibut usually like to 'mouth' the bait before committing - they're really good at not getting hooked in the first few seconds of them feeling out the situation.  I try to let them 'munch' - that's kind of how it feels, as opposed to a tap-tap-tap, pumping or even tugging.  It feels like they're gumming it!  So I recommend waiting a few seconds when you feel the munch.  Sometimes it's just a 'thump' - like, did my bait just hit a rock?  It didn't - it's a halibut.  Let it munch - sometimes for more like 6 to 8 seconds.

Of course, we all hope for a hookup where it's just ON like Donkey Kong.  The grab and run scenario you referred to shouldn't ever be reacted to with a tightening of the drag - unless it keeps on going and you're going to get spooled.  Have faith in your ability to wait for the fish to tire a bit or to turn back toward the pressure.  The pressure is key - keep it on, but don't try to turn the fish when it's running.  It needs to run - it's good to have it run.
 
As for lingcod getting in holes, it does happen.  Check your leader every time it comes up, and have faith in your ability to keep real pressure on the fish.  If it's so strong that it gets in a hole, use patience and angles.  Breaking fish off unnecessarily is one of the worst feelings - it lasts a long time!

Good luck.