Sea Trout "Coming Short"

[Wildfisher]

The numbers of sea trout / finnock  I am missing is driving me nuts. I know this seems to be a long established gripe of sea trout  fishers, the buggers seem to nip at the tail of the fly / streamer. I have seen solutions suggested by Falkus  like using a stinger hook, but I don't really want to do this as I return all my fish and don't want to use multiple hooks that might damage them more.

Any suggestions?  How do you handle this? What am I doing wrong?

[rannoch raider]

Sometimes in saltwater situations stripping the 'fly' very fast makes them hit it properly. Also, I've a mate who fishes lures for them and when they start the 'plucking' games he often ties  a length of two foot nylon to the bend of his hook and fishes a small fly . He often finds fish that are attracted to the spinner but are not committed to the take will hit the small trailing fly. I've never tried it with the fly rod but I intend to.

[Part-time]

Similar to Rannoch Raider, I think speeding up or even what I think could be described as a strip strike can sometimes work.
Fishing a sea loch a few years back I was having one of those days when the seatrout would follow and swirl at the fly a few times during the retrieve, at most just getting a wee pluck. I found that as soon as I had a swirl at the fly, rapidly speeding up the retrieve and sweeping the rod around at the same time resulted in hooking quite a few. I now try this anytime the seatrout are being a bit tricky - doesn't work all the time though  

[seamab]

Yes, if you don't want to use a stinger Fred,  p.l.f. .
If they're coming off after playing for a wee while, give a good strike after they take, to set hook. After all's said the mouths are softer in salt water and I've had a lot of seemingly "well hooked" fish drop off.

[Wildfisher]

Thanks for the tips guys I'll give it a go. 

[Highlander]

Tie the fly a bit shorter on the shank.

Tight Lines

[Laxdale]

I suspect that at this time of year, the bigger sea trout will already be upriver.
If you are fishing for fish averaging less than 1lb, with a big one 2lb, stop fishing with bigger streamer type patterns. Use normal small sea trout patterns.
But with silver tied around the bend of the hook. 

[Wildfisher]

All good suggestions chaps.

What would be the best tactics for the salmon that will hopefully be arriving in these estuary waters in larger numbers later in the month?

[Laxdale]

Ebb tide and especially just before low water re the times to try for them. (In most places). Once you learn here they are holed up, fish for 5 minutes, then sit for 10 until such time as they switch on. Stoats Tail/Silver Stoat seem to be the menu of choice most places. And lots of backing.

[Wildfisher]

And lots of backing.

Indeed. There is nothing runs quite like a salmon just off the tide.