Hook Set Help!

[kwaldeier]

I am not so familiar with the texas style of rigging but it seems very affective. The trouble is that i cant seem to get the hook set down at all! I caught 2 fish last night but if i would have properly set the hook, easily 20. I was using a 3/0 EWG hook and a 5" senko on a spinning reel. I would feel a bite and the fish take it and then i would swing for the fences. Nothing. Any help at all would be appreciated!!

[kwaldeier]

Forgot to mention weightless!

[WRB]

Senko's are a fat bodied soft plastic worm that you may have better luck using a wacky/o-ring rig and a weedless Gamakatsu or Owner hook designed for Senko's; size 2/0 for 6" Senko.

Spinning rod/reel combo's indicate you also may be fishing with a medium/fast action rod and 10 lb line or something in that general range. It's a lot easier to get a good hook set with a premium sharp hook that has exposed hook point and a hook with smaller diameter wire size.

Another option is going with a keel weighted hook in 4/0 size EWG, expose the hook point, then skin hook the point just under the top surface of the Senko to make it weedless.

Bass are not going to spit out a Swenko too quickly at night, so take your time and quickly point the rod tip at the bass, reel line until tight, then quickly sweep the rod back firmly.

Tom

[kwaldeier]

Thats what this hook is, is a Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG hook. And you are correct about the action rod and line test. I will have to look into wacky rigging with an O ring. I think i was not pointing the rod tip toward the bass... Lol

[MyKeyBe]

Try "Tex-Posing" or skin hooking the hook. Run the hook through the lure and let the hook point rest on the back of the lure. If you need it totally weedless, lightly push the hook point back into the "skin" of the bait.

[Marty]

I am not so familiar with the texas style of rigging but it seems very affective. The trouble is that i cant seem to get the hook set down at all! I caught 2 fish last night but if i would have properly set the hook, easily 20. I was using a 3/0 EWG hook and a 5" senko on a spinning reel. I would feel a bite and the fish take it and then i would swing for the fences. Nothing. Any help at all would be appreciated!!

I prefer a 4/0 for a 5" Senko, but that shouldn't account for all those misses. I've caught plenty of fish on T-rigs using spinning rods with 10# line. There's probably something going wrong other than equipment choice if you missed 20 fish. Are you absolutely sure that all those bites you felt were bass? Panfish are notorious for nipping at soft plastics and that strikes me as a possibility, unless you can recognize panfish bites, which I have no idea of your experience with such matters.

Was that experience last night typical of what's been happening or is it just an isolated outing?

[kwaldeier]

Try "Tex-Posing" or skin hooking the hook. Run the hook through the lure and let the hook point rest on the back of the lure. If you need it totally weedless, lightly push the hook point back into the "skin" of the bait.

I started out where i lightly put the hook under the "skin" of the back and thats what i caught the 2 on. After getting frustrated i "tex posed" as you stated. Most of the time the senko head would be level with the hook instead of up at the eye of the hook upon retrieval.

[kwaldeier]

I prefer a 4/0 for a 5" Senko, but that shouldn't account for all those misses. I've caught plenty of fish on T-rigs using spinning rods with 10# line. There's probably something going wrong other than equipment choice if you missed 20 fish. Are you absolutely sure that all those bites you felt were bass? Panfish are notorious for nipping at soft plastics and that strikes me as a possibility, unless you can recognize panfish bites, which I have no idea of your experience with such matters.

Was that experience last night typical of what's been happening or is it just an isolated outing?

Well this was my first "texas rig/senko" encounter. I had really been wanting to try this deadly combo out. I am unsure if they were pan fish or not. A few fish "took" the senko a few feet before i tried to set the hook and still nothing...

[WRB]

Take a look at Gamakatsu weedless wide gap finesse hook or wicked weedless drop shot hook in size 2/0.

The size 3/0 EWG doesn't have enough gap for Senko's, unless you hook the side and don't go through the thick part of the worm body. 3/0 is good for most standard bodied worms.

The spinning gear just doesn't have the hook setting power if you try to "cross the eyes" or swing for the fences type of hook set. The reel and sweep set is how it's done today; just watch the pros when they are fishing soft plastics. Some still use a snap set, works on a short cast with a stout rod.

Tom

[Crestliner2008]

Your hook size should be more than adequate for what you are trying to do. How you are actually setting it is much more important. When you detect the take, just reel down to the fish, loading up the rod a bit, then just smoothly haul back. At least that's how I do it. Those hooks are pretty sharp and a bone jarring hook set is not required. When you slow load set like that, it keeps the point of the hook in the flesh of the mouth, so the bass is less likely to release it.

Also, I do hope you are using a rod with some back bone, like a med-hvy action and between 6' - 7'. What kind of line are you using? You might want to try a braid with a fluoro leader.

[Fishmaster10]

I don't know the average size of the bass in the body of water you're fishing, but I do know if they're fairly small you might have trouble hooking them with the worm being texas rigged. The bass may be picking up the tail end of the worm, which would mean the hook is not in their mouth. If I start missing fish when the bait is texas tigged, then I usually switch it to wacky. Just thought I would throw that idea out there, if that's not the probably just follow everyone else's advice about pointing the rod toward the bass and reeling in the slack line before you set the hook.

[Fishmaster10]

if that's not the *problem

[MichBassMan]

Weightless senkos are often swallowed by bass if your not carefull. I doubt your doing anything wrong. My guess is your dealing with panfish or very small bass.

[kwaldeier]

I am honestly unsure what line i am using. The stuff that came pre spooled on the rod when i bought it. It is just a cheap Genesis rod and reel combo from wal mart. 6'6" i think. I have been researching the sweep method of hook setting and plan to try that out!

[Marty]

I would feel a bite and the fish take it and then i would swing for the fences. Nothing.

One more comment if I may. You don't say when you swing for the fences and get nothing, exactly what "nothing" means. If you literally are feeling nothing, then the odds increase that you're encountering small fish. On the other hand, if you set the hook and feel resistance and then lose the fish, that could be a problem with technique or equipment.

[kwaldeier]

I had both. A few times i still felt tension but i guess the hook didnt set. Other times a smaller fish would explain the lack of tension

[WRB]

I am honestly unsure what line i am using. The stuff that came pre spooled on the rod when i bought it. It is just a cheap Genesis rod and reel combo from wal mart. 6'6" i think. I have been researching the sweep method of hook setting and plan to try that out!

We all started with entry level general use fishing tackle and learn the rod isn't the best choice for bass fishing. A medium heavy spinning rod designed for bass fishing within your budget from Cabalas or BPS maybe something to think about in the near future. Change your line to a premium mono like P-Line CXX, Trilene XL or Big game in 10 to 12 lb test; you don't want to break off the bass you get a good hook set into.

Good luck.

Tom

[TxBankFisherman]

I like what Crestliner said.. maybe try braided line... it has no stretch and helps to create powerful hooksets... mono you have a second or two where you have to get the slack out of the line...

If the water is fairly clear you should use a flurocarbon leader... I guess around 20 lb. if not you can tie the braid directly which is what I do... and be sure to use a palomar knot... I like to get the rod low about waist high sticking straight out, and make a powerful upward force to drive in the hook.... also the hook may be your prob. spend the extra on gamagatsu... i know i spelled that wrong or trokar hooks....3/0 is a good hook size.. unless your fishing with 10" worms then you may want to go with 5/0....

[TxBankFisherman]

oh also I forgot maybe try berkley powerworms ... to me they seem to hold on to these much longer than other baits..

[Catt]

The 3 tap theory as explained by Shaw Grisby

First tap the bass inhaled your lure

Second tap the bass spit your lure

Third is me tapping you on the shoulder asking why you didn't set hook!

The biggest reason the average angle has hookup problems with Texas rigs or jigs is because they are to slow.

Believe me the average bass is way faster than the average angler!

[kwaldeier]

We all started with entry level general use fishing tackle and learn the rod isn't the best choice for bass fishing. A medium heavy spinning rod designed for bass fishing within your budget from Cabalas or BPS maybe something to think about in the near future. Change your line to a premium mono like P-Line CXX, Trilene XL or Big game in 10 to 12 lb test; you don't want to break off the bass you get a good hook set into.

Good luck.

Tom

Since i started this thread i got some 10lbs trilene XL in 10lb test and put it on!

I like what Crestliner said.. maybe try braided line... it has no stretch and helps to create powerful hooksets... mono you have a second or two where you have to get the slack out of the line...

If the water is fairly clear you should use a flurocarbon leader... I guess around 20 lb. if not you can tie the braid directly which is what I do... and be sure to use a palomar knot... I like to get the rod low about waist high sticking straight out, and make a powerful upward force to drive in the hook.... also the hook may be your prob. spend the extra on gamagatsu... i know i spelled that wrong or trokar hooks....3/0 is a good hook size.. unless your fishing with 10" worms then you may want to go with 5/0....

That is the exact hook I am using now is the Gamagatsu 3/0 EWG

The 3 tap theory as explained by Shaw Grisby

First tap the bass inhaled your lure

Second tap the bass spit your lure

Third is me tapping you on the shoulder asking why you didn't set hook!

The biggest reason the average angle has hookup problems with Texas rigs or jigs is because they are to slow.

Believe me the average bass is way faster than the average angler!

Does not suprise me! I try to watch the line for bites and wait until i feel tension before i do anything