What is The Difference Between a Trout set and Strip Set in Fly Fishing?

What is a trout set? What is a strip set? Well, they’re both distinct techniques used to set the hook while fly fishing. Okay, but what is the difference between a trout set and strip set? Let’s go over these details, and also talk a bit about when to use each method.

First, let’s look at what they have in common. They’re both methods of setting the hook. That is, once a fish has eaten your fly, you will use one of these two methods to drive the hook into the fish’s mouth. Let’s take a deeper dive into the details on a trout set vs strip set in fly fishing.

What is a trout set?

It’s a type of hookset in which the angler moves the fly rod to tighten the line and drive the hook point of the fly into the mouth of a fish. The key point of that definition is “moves the fly rod”.

It’s how most fly anglers learned to set the hook, at least if you learned how to fly fish by targeting trout and salmon.

When you trout set, you’re moving the fly rod upwards and/or sideways in response to a fish striking your fly. This can either be a sharp jerk (dry fly takes), or a slower lift (delicate nymphing). The goal is to ensure a good hookset by driving the fly’s hook point into the mouth of the fish.

It’s intuitive, it’s instinctive. When you see a strike, set the hook! Why wouldn’t you want to react based on reflex? We’ll let’s go over the advantages and disadvantages of using a trout set.

Advantages of a trout set

• Instinctive doesn’t require extra training to perform.
• Moves the fly vertically to set the hook. Good when a fish has to rise to a fly and then descend after taking the fly (dry fly fishing, topwater fishing, and most nymphing).

Disadvantages of a trout set

• If you miss the hookset, it pulls the fly out of striking range of the fish. This means that in most cases you’ll have to cast and try again or target a different fish altogether.
• May pull the fly right out the fishes mouth if they don’t turn after grabbing the fly
• The flexing of the rod causes the hookset to lose some of its power.

The main drawback of using a trout set is that last point. Much of the energy is lost in the flexing of the rod as you pull up. This isn’t so much a concern with soft-mouthed fish such as trout, but may cause a weak hookset in fish with bonier mouths. This loss of power can be the difference between landing a fish, and a fish throwing the hook.

When should I use a trout set?

A trout set should be used in the following situations

• When fishing dry flies.
• Most nymphing situations.
• Most trout, salmon, and char fishing situations
• When targeting very delicate fish (such as when micro fishing).

The one exception is when fishing streamers. While you can trout set while streamer fishing for trout, a good strip set is generally preferred when fishing streamers. This is one of those situations where it’s honestly up to personal preference and experience.

Of note, is that most modern fishing hooks are chemically sharpened. These are much sharper than traditional hooks used fly fishing. Point is, you can afford to lose some power during a hookset when using modern hooks (at least when trout fishing).

What is a strip set?

A strip set is different. The rod doesn’t move at all. Instead, a sharp, firm pull backward on the fly line is used to set the hook. The rod tip is typically pointed directly at the fly during retrieval, to minimize flexing of the rod when performing a strip set.

How do you strip set fly fishing?

• Start with the fly rod is pointed directly at the fly during the presentation, not lifted or to the side. Keep the rod tip pointed downwards & low towards the fly.
• When the fish strikes pull the fly line directly backward, making sure not the move the fly rod in the process.
  • Predatory species call for a quick sharp pull backwards to drive the hook into their boney mouth.
  • Bottom feeding species such as carp or bonefish call for a longer, steady pull backward to secure the hook, while not pulling it out of their mouth.
• Once the hook is set, you can then lift the fly rod and proceed to fight the fish.
• Up to you at this point whether you want to hand line the fish in, or retrieve the line and fight it off the reel.
• Land the fish!

The goal of a strip set is to make a direct connection from where your hand pulls the line, to the fly, and by extension the fish’s mouth. This ensures that the full force of the hookset is used to drive the hook into a fish’s mouth, and none of the force is lost in the flexing of the rod. This is especially important when targeting fish with bony mouths, as it takes a fair bit of force to secure a solid hookset.

Strip setting is the status quo when fishing for the majority of saltwater species. It also sees quite a bit of use when targeting certain freshwater predatory species such as pike or musky. It’s generally preferred

Advantages of a strip set

• Minimal to no loss of force during hookset.
  • Power is transferred directly through the line to the fish’s mouth, with nothing lost in the flexing of the rod.
• Moves the fly horizontally when setting the hook. Resulting in better hookups fishing streamers.
• If you miss the hookset, the fly can only move the length of your arm.  This gives the fish another opportunity to eat the fly.

Disadvantages of a strip set

• Not as effective at setting the hook on dry fly takes or while nymphing with indicator rigs.
• Takes practice to do effectively. Many anglers reflexively revert to a trout set.

When should I use a strip set?

A strip set should be used in situations that have one or multiple of the following characteristics.

• When targeting bony mouthed species.
• In most streamer fishing situations.
• When targeting fish that do not turn once they’ve engulfed the fly. Carp and bonefish are good examples.

A note on both hookset methods.

Regardless of which method you use, it’s critical to minimize the amount of slack line you have out. Your connection to the fly should be fairly direct. You don’t want to lose the power of the hookset to straightening out loose, looped line.

A little slack in the line is okay for certain presentations, but only have as much slack as is needed. For example, you (typically) don’t want drag when presenting a dry fly, so a minimal amount of slack is required o ensure the fly is presented in a natural manner. When fishing a streamer, however, there’s really no reason to have any slack at all.

An added advantage of minimizing slack in your line is that it better allows you to feel the strike. An extreme example would be dead drifting a nymph. There’s no way you’re going to detect a strike if you have lots of slack in the line. The fish is going to grab and spit the fly out before you’re even aware anything has happened. Having minimal slack makes it much easier to feel the slight bump in the fly line when the fish grabs the fly.