Can't set the hook?

[JigMe]

I went out this morning for 5 hours, since the weather is pretty cold so I decided to throw plastics. Of course, Senko and fat Ika were the weapons of choice. I casted it out there, and waited 20 second before I pop the rod tip. I can see the slacks been pulled down, so I figured that's a strike. Then, I reeled in the slacks and tried to set the hook but got nothing It happened to me about 5-6 times, now I am confused if I have really detecting a strike? I have fished those lures with the same method before and didn't have a problem. Now, my question is how do you guys detect a strike while fishing Senko or Fat Ika?

[90x]

its possible you might be dragging the baits over rocks and other cover. sometimes the bait will sink somewhat into the bottom. When you go to retrieve it, you will be popping the bait out of the ground creating some suction.

Last year I started using jigs, I was able to tell a jig strike at any time. I described the feeling as the vibration of cellphone.

[florida strain]

i have this problem ,when i switch from mono rod to braid rod ..i can feel the bottom better and i think im getting bit, i always set the hook anyways just in case.

[ominousone]

You may have described the problem.  You said you are reeling up and then setting the hook.  To penetrate thicker plastic leave a little slack in the line.  The snap will pierce the plastic and the fishes mouth better. 

Woo Daves just showed this on Classic Patterns t.v. show.

[Hammer 4]

You didn't say how the plastic's were rigged. if they were weighless, then my guess is you making contact with something other than fish. When I get bit fishing weightless, it's usually a "tap" not a thud, though a thud/ hang up feeling could be a fish.

Try to keep as much slack out of the line as possible, once you pop it, lower the rod tip and reel in the slack.

Hooksets are free, so if you think you might have a fish, set the hook..

[Catt]

I went out this morning for 5 hours, since the weather is pretty cold so I decided to throw plastics. Of course, Senko and fat Ika were the weapons of choice. I casted it out there, and waited 20 second before I pop the rod tip. I can see the slacks been pulled down, so I figured that's a strike. Then, I reeled in the slacks and tried to set the hook but got nothing It happened to me about 5-6 times, now I am confused if I have really detecting a strike? I have fished those lures with the same method before and didn't have a problem. Now, my question is how do you guys detect a strike while fishing Senko or Fat Ika?

Waiting for what? 

[JigMe]

It is rigged weightless.

I count to 20 for the worm to fall to the bottom, and sometimes I will count to 15...

[NBR]

I don't understand the 20 or 15 count. When I cast a Senko or any thing else that I want to reach the bottom I wait until it has stopped sinking. At that point I'll tighten up the slack a bit so I can feel a tap and/or see the line twitch.

With Senkos and most soft plastics I don't pop the rod tip very often. I just move the bait very little after a pretty long pause. I pretty often just drag the bait along. If it's real rocky you might get hung up but this tells you about the bottom and you can correct your presentation.

[Hammer 4]

I have hopped the Fat Ika, but not a Senko..I find I don't get bite as much hopping the Ika, as twitching it..

[.dsaavedra.]

when i'm fishing a weightless senko (which is a lot in the summer) the strikes are almost always a series of small taps followed by my line moving off in one direction. ALWAYS reel up ALL of the slack, leaving some slack to penetrate the plastic better sounds like a good way to miss fish if you ask me. you were probably just running into debris on the bottom or something, sometimes grass can put up resistance that feels like a fish that has taken your bait on slack line.

[airborne_angler]

Swings(hooksets) are free!!!

[YNCBASSMAN]

you want to leave some slack especially with braided line.  then all you have to do is snap your wrist and it will drive the hook through the plastic.  whereas if you reel in all of the slack you'll just pull the worm out of the fish's mouth.  there are times when you reel in all of the slack, such as carolina rigging where you want to maintain tension as much as possible because your lure is behind a heavy weight.  for those that doubt it, give it a try, your hookups will increase tenfold. 

[iceintheveins]

when i'm fishing a weightless senko (which is a lot in the summer) the strikes are almost always a series of small taps followed by my line moving off in one direction. ALWAYS reel up ALL of the slack, leaving some slack to penetrate the plastic better sounds like a good way to miss fish if you ask me. you were probably just running into debris on the bottom or something, sometimes grass can put up resistance that feels like a fish that has taken your bait on slack line.

That's the way it is for most weightless or lightly weighted plastics when I'm fishing them. Also if your counting down how long it takes your bait to sink to the bottom, and it hasn't hit bottom by the time you think it should have, set the hook because sometimes fat bass just inhale a lure and sit their with it.

[Catt]

Ok counting your lure down makes sense but after I feel a strike or see line movement I don't wait on anything. As for setting hook with any amount of slack line it aint never gonna happen, speed is the key to hook set with plastics or jigs.

[roadwarrior]

Ok counting your lure down makes sense but after I feel a strike or see line movement I don't wait on anything. As for setting hook with any amount of slack line it aint never gonna happen, speed is the key to hook set with plastics or jigs.

Usually, the issue with hook-ups is just quickness.

Use a snap-set: When you detect a bite, lower your

rod tip as you reel down quickly. Snap your wrist

without moving your hand position relative to your

body. This will move the rod tip from 9:00 to 12:00

and drive the hook home!

8-)

[fishfordollars]

It's the snap not the swing that will drive the hook home.

[JigMe]

Got it. Snap instead of swing.

Roadwarrior, as you said lower my rod tip and reel down. Do you keep some slacks out before you set the hook? Or you will reel in the slacks before snap it.

[roadwarrior]

Reel in the slack and set the hook the instant

you sense the line is tight. This is "feel" that

you develop over time.

8-)

[basspimple]

while fishing wacky stickworms, i like to use really small hooks(1/0 and under), like owner musquito hooks or gammy finesse hooks, so if a bass does inhale it, it doesnt take much to burry the hook home.