Dusty Lewis

I would wait a second or two as well. I know it's easier said than done but reason being is regardless if the bass is protecting or feeding he is still going to eat it. If the bass didn't inhale the bait when he hit it he will have to open its mouth again to swallow it. Setting the hook to early or a sideways hook set stands a greater chance of losing the fish. Waiting a second or two will allow the fish to get the bait further back in its mouth. That's my opinion.

here in louisiana you gotta have some crawfish baits. i like the pit boss by berkley and the paca craw by netbait. i use them as a swim type bait in flooded backwater or as a trailer on jigs instead of pork. the paca craw is a semi hollow type plastic so i insert a rattle in it whether using it on a jig or as swim bait to get that Click, click click that defensive crawfish make when they are hauling tail. The action on the paca craw is outrageous. there is a video i think on youtube with an underwater view of the bait. once it reaches the bottom and is sitting it even stands up like a real crawfish. Louisiana bass LOVE crawfish, heck i think they are the ones that boiled crawfish first lol