Before you can become a successful angler, you need to acquire a special set of skills that is vastly ranged. If you think you have already obtained enough experience that you can land a 100kg yellowfin with your eyes closed, then perhaps you will find this sportfishing knowledge quiz a breeze. Take this short test and let us know how you fared.Hide for RSS

1. A large school of bait begins to swim towards your boat as you drift fishing near the coastal waters. As they get nearer, you notice the school is being harassed by a large fish below the surface. What should you do to trigger a strike?
   1. Cast into the center of the bait school
   2. Tie on a sinker to place your bait on the bottom
   3. Throw your bait/lure all the way in front of the bait school to the direction it’s swimming and wait
   4. Cast the bait to the side of the school while creating a slow-paced retrieve

The Answer: D. It’s difficult for predators to isolate individual fish because a school of bait fish swims in compact formations. To penetrate the school, trail the hooked bait/lure just a little bit off to the side of the school so they will think it’s an injured bait. That way, it will be more likely to be eaten by a pursuing game fish.

2. Which of these best describes how to leader “wire” a billfish or tuna?
   1. Clutch the leader using your non-dominant hand and pull, while wrapping the leader around your palm with a counter-clockwise motion.
   2. Using one arm, wrap the leader tightly around it and walk your way to the other side of the cockpit to retrieve the fish from the side of the boat.
   3. As you hold the leader tight with one hand in glove, put the slack portion across the other hand with an upward-facing palm. Create a couple of overhand wraps by rotating that hand clock-wise while pulling and lifting at the same time.
   4. Hold the leader above your head while raising your arms straight up. In that position, use a hand-over-hand motion as the thumbs point back towards your body.

The Answer: C. Wiring a huge fish can be life-threatening when not done the right way. Don’t forget to stay balanced. To do this, spread your feet apart but don’t pull while leaning over the boat’s covering boards. Instead, straighten your back slowly and slightly lean back as you keep your elbows tucked in close to your chest while pulling the leader. This way, you would be able to release rapidly if the fish rushes.

3. What is the best knot for making the double line connection?
   1. Bimini twist
   2. Surgeon’s end loop
   3. Offshore knot
   4. Spider hitch

The Answer: A. When it comes to doubling line in especially in big game applications, the Bimini twist should be your knot of choice. This knot can provide 100% of the stated breaking strength of the line when it is tied correctly. The Bimini twist is also best to use as a shock absorber for “jumping” game fish such as marlin, sailfish and tarpon. Though it may be difficult to begin with, you can master it in time and practice.

4. Most anglers prefer circle hooks when using bait due to its improved catch rates and conservation benefits. Find the one that best describes how to set a circle hook the right way.
   1. Take a short pause and raise the rod tip slowly and then reel gradually to tighten the line. Do this as the fish begins taking drag. Then you can fight the fish in a normal manner afterwards.
   2. Lock down the reel drag as tight as you can and place the rod in a holder.
   3. Set the hook with the rod tip placed down into the water. Swish the tip in a figure 8 pattern.
   4. Lean back as soon as you feel a strike coming and set the hook forcefully while twitching the rod tip a number of times.

The Answer: A. Circle hooks are effective when turned within the mouth of the fish and ideally embedding into the jaw hinge. To achieve this, you need to have ample time for the fish to take the bait and have it turn while inside the mouth. Also remember that the hook gap size should match the size of the bait.

5. What is the best way to change or check a downrigger bait after a missed strike?
   1. Swiftly reel the downrigger ball up so you can take a fresh bait back in the water as fast as possible.
   2. Raise the downrigger ball gently while the bait is attached.
   3. Pop the fishing line away of the downrigger release clip and take it in as fast as possible.
   4. None of the above.

The Answer: B. By slowly raising the downrigger ball with the bait in place, you will be able to bring it upwards through the water which can inspire a possible strike.

6. What are the keys to finding game fish in open water but with the absence of structure?
   1. Sheer luck.
   2. Changes in the colour of the water and clarity
   3. Knowledge you got from the locals
   4. Blind trolling

The Answer: B. When there is colour or clarity of the water changes, it tends to concentrate bait fish since they use it to their advantage as a way to hide from large predators.

7. Your line keeps getting cut off even though you are fishing natural baits above the bottom and you are anchored over a structure. What should you do?
   1. Use a larger hook.
   2. Use a stinger hook to the tail or body section of the bait.
   3. Start rolling as you pull the anchor.
   4. Include a short trace of wire leader to your terminal tackle.

The Answer: B or D. There are a number of game fish that chomp off the bait’s tail before they get back to eat the rest. Adding these two items can reduce cut-offs and increase the number of solid hook sets. When using a wire trace, make sure to go with the lightest possible to prevent detection.How did you go with this quiz? Let us know in the comment section! And don’t forget to share this to your angler friends.