I read something recently that really made me think...  The passage was something to the effect of "you can feel the fish, but the fish can feel you just as easily."

It makes me wonder if there's a correlation between the little taps I feel before I miss those hooksets from time to time.

Thoughts?

Those little taps you feel are fish eating your bait! Tap one, first bite. Tap 2, its in their mouth... SET THE HOOK! Tap 3, they spit it out. A bite can range from the biggest force you've ever felt on your rod to the lightest tap. Size of the fish makes no difference. I've had light twitches in my line and ended up reeling in a 5 pounder. Thats why great equitment and instincts are critical.

I think fish can feel any line when its tight. Slack line, no way. I don't think braid has any difference when it comes to the fish "feeling" the line.

- Aaron

It only makes sence that the fish can feel braided line because of its lack of stretch.  But if you give the line some slack it should be ok.  It is only when the line is pulled tight that they can feel you back I would think.

Vic

I have always heard of a fish feeling resistance and droping your lure because of it, but that has never made sense to me. When he feels that resistance, all he is feeling is the prey trying to pull out of his mouth. But isn't that what every living creature does when he realizes he is about to be lunch? I don't think(but I am not sure) the resistance causes him to release a lure. A bass that puts any 'food' in his mouth uses his taste buds that are in the sides, roof, lips(in between his teeth) and on his throat in his mouth to verify if it's real food. I think thats why they spit it out. Just my opinion!

I don't think they feel it, or see it for that matter.  That just doesnt make sense to me.  But then again I'm not a fish.