How to Catch a Sucker Fish

Although not prized as a fish to eat and generally spurned by many anglers, the sucker is a fish that always gives a good account of itself when it is hooked. While many suckers are caught by accident as fishermen seek to hook other species, someone looking for a fish with plenty of spunk should consider fishing for suckers. Suckers can grow as long as 2 feet and weigh several pounds

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

How to Catch a Sucker Fish

Things You’ll Need:

Rod and spinning reel 10 pound test monofilament Number four snelled hooks Large split shots Nightcrawlers Forked stick Fishing net
Rod and spinning reel
10 pound test monofilament
Number four snelled hooks
Large split shots
Nightcrawlers
Forked stick
Fishing net

Step 1

Seek suckers in rivers and large streams where the water is calm. Suckers feed along the bottom and prefer to be in water that has slow currents. Look for inlets, eddies and deep pools.

Step 2

Utilize a spinning reel spooled with 10 pound monofilament fishing line with a size 4 snelled hook tied to it. Attach two heavy split shots on the line; three might be necessary if the current is a little fast. Put the split shots about 2 feet from the hook.

Step 3

Bait your hook with a half of a nightcrawler. Thread the hook through and through the worm so that it cannot wriggle off or fall off when cast.

Step 4

Cast downstream and employ a forked stick jammed into the ground to lean your pole against. Watch the end of the rod tip for the slightest movement. Be aware that often a sucker will "vacuum" up a nightcrawler from the bottom, then stay still without causing the rod tip to move much.

Step 5

Pick up your fishing pole when you see movement of the rod tip and pull back hard to set the hook. If a sucker is on the line it will fight violently for as long as 30 seconds before tiring. Even if you detect no movement, get in the habit of setting your hook when you pick up the pole to reel your line in to check the bait; a sucker might have taken the worm without moving it.

Step 6

Employ a net to get the sucker onto the shore. Suckers will wiggle vigorously as they are pulled from the water, a reaction which will snap your fishing line if you are not careful. Removing the hook from a sucker is easy, as it has large lips and almost always is hooked in the mouth.

Article Written By John Lindell

John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.

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