Mark Zona's Take On A Jig's 'hookset'

[TommyBass]

In the newly posted instructional video on Jigs, Mark states that he simply reels fast and lifts his rod to set the hook on bass with his jig. Have any of you ever tried this approach? With any success? It seems too easy to me, but jigs can be hard for me to hook up with occaisionally.

I don't doubt it would work on smaller fish, but I really question the 4+ lb fish that have the extra thick mouths. The thick mouth doubled with the weed guard on the jig make it seem really hard to hookset a fish by simply reeling a 7:1 reel.

Any experience / opions?

[J Francho]

I believe this was specifically for football headed jigs, which can be problematic, due to the large size of the head.

[mikey5string]

I hope it catches on. I think those huge whip hook-sets are unnecessary and can severely damage a fish. If your hooks are sharp you really only need to pull with steady even pressure. snapping the rod with extreme force is more likely to rip the bait out of the fishes mouth or rip its lips.

[senile1]

I had read somewhere about Zona's recommendation. This is a common technique with light wire hooks, octopus hooks, and techniques that use them. Most of my jigs have a pretty sturdy hook. I'm not sure I would feel confident trying this.

[gobig]

Believe it or not a reel set generates double the PSI of a traditional hook set, at the hook point. I use this style of hookset and have been now for about 3 years. I miss very few fish and hardly ever loose one. Not only do I use this type of hookset with jigs, but I have rolled it into just about every other technique I use. There is no issue on bigger fish either. I have caught 4 over 5lbs in the last few weeks on jigs.

[TommyBass]

Interesting, I may have to give this a shot in my next practice round or two. Do you reel as fast as you possibly can? Or more of a general tough grind it out reel motion?

[gobig]

I would say I reel at 3/4 speed. When you feel the bite start to reel. As the rod starts to load, lift or sweep the rod firmly. There is no need to try and rip their head off, it's all about line movement.

Let's say that with a standard hook set from the 8 O'clock to 11 O'clock position moves 25" of line. Now let's say your reel is a curado 200E5. The E5 moves 21" of line in one full turn of the handle. So one revolution of the spool in addition to the same hook set literally doubles the amount of line moved in the same stroke.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I hope it catches on. I think those huge whip hook-sets are unnecessary and can severely damage a fish. If your hooks are sharp you really only need to pull with steady even pressure. snapping the rod with extreme force is more likely to rip the bait out of the fishes mouth or rip its lips.

Totally agree with you. I always laugh at people who brag about how hard they set the hook. I usually put those people in the same group of people who cast their 1/16 oz lures 50 yards on a baitcaster.

[Hi Salenity]

In the newly posted instructional video on Jigs, Mark states that he simply reels fast and lifts his rod to set the hook on bass with his jig. Have any of you ever tried this approach? With any success? It seems too easy to me, but jigs can be hard for me to hook up with occasionally.

I don't doubt it would work on smaller fish, but I really question the 4+ lb fish that have the extra thick mouths. The thick mouth doubled with the weed guard on the jig make it seem really hard to hookset a fish by simply reeling a 7:1 reel.

Any experience / opions?

I think this technique works fine for a flip but I still swing for the fences on a long cast... unless I use braid.

But then I swing and miss some...

[Bluebasser86]

Hmmm, I would think if this was such an effective technique you would see more pros doing it?? I believe I've seen Zona on his show swinging on them pretty hard too. I think I'll stick with what I've been doing for now.

[ClackerBuzz]

His technique is to reel up slack while the fish is swimming at you. You don't sweep the rod until the fish turns his head/direction. At that point you need much less pressure to set the hook. It works for alot of lures other than heavy jigs. i use the sweep hook sets for lots of techniques and don't have to dodge near as many lures flying 100mph at my face

[ww2farmer]

Does anyone even bother to listen to the audio on this video? This is a hookset for big, heavy, football jigs. If you crack the whip on them, you will force the fishes mouth open and because of the size of the lead head, the hook will not grab. With a texas rig or a flipping/grass jig, set as usual.

[rubba bubba]

Does anyone even bother to listen to the audio on this video?

What and miss out on a big chest-thumpfest? Please take your facts elsewhere, they're only getting in the way..

[gobig]

What and miss out on a big chest-thumpfest? Please take your facts elsewhere, they're only getting in the way..

Chest-thumpfest? My understanding of a forum is to share ideas and opinions. You don't have to explore ideas or agree with the opinions. You have the right to be narrow minded, the only thing getting in the way is your ego.

Hmmm, I would think if this was such an effective technique you would see more pros doing it?? I believe I've seen Zona on his show swinging on them pretty hard too. I think I'll stick with what I've been doing for now.

There are pro's using this style of hook set. It is becoming more popular. Fishing a football head jig is nothing new, its been around for many years. If the reel set was not a newer idea in fresh water fishing wouldn't we have heard of it a long time ago? For those that have fished salt water the reel set is nothing new. The first I know of this idea being used in fresh water was Bill Siemantle and Mike Jones. Who wrote an article called "Reel Force The Right Stuff" this article addresses the reel set technique. I did a quick search on youtube and found this video. This hook set is very similar by turning the handle at the same time more energy is created.

[Big-O]

To feel the fish loading or online first is SMART. To set he hook immediately thereafter is SMART as well. To keep the rod loaded completely with heavy pressure on the fish during the battle is also SMART, because many times the hook point actually penetrates the fishes mouth during the battle. Maintaining good line pressure only keeps the point of the hook in position to improve your chances of landing the fish.

Do I slam hooksets with all jigs and/or Soft plastics... ABSOLUTELY!!! Where I fish and how I fish demands it. Here's my normal style of hook sets along with keeping max pressure on fish until I have them out of the trash, and coming my direction in open water. I posted this video footage once before but it helps with my description here.