Failed Hook Set Problem

[McFurie]

Went out yesterday and started getting bit right away problem is I couldn't stick a fish to save my life was fishing a 6_9 mh/f carrot stix and a pennicale pro 10 (older model ) 6:4:1 15# mono dragging a zoom trick worm on a 1/2 tungsten trig and a 4/o strait shank gammy worm hook after a handful of misses I switched that rig to a very similar combo except it was strung up with 50# spiderwire camo braid I ended up catching a short fish on that setup but my number of bites went way down so IM wondering if there's an in between some were I was fishing a small creek of the St johns river with brackish water and barnicales on everything and a whole Forrest worth of fallen trees if that makes a difference

[Capt.Bob]

I would try downsizing my tackle, lure and tackle size, when this happens as you describe, could be all short fish, or even other smaller species, being on a small stream really makes me think this was the scenario.

[McFurie]

Hmm didn't think of that I no there were blue fill beds all over so maybe that was it

[ToadTorcher]

Sounds like fishin to me! 

 

What were the bites like? Small little taps for good defined thumps?

 

Chances are if they were just little taps is that were bream. After I miss a hit I've made a habit out of inspecting my lure. Looks for tooth marks and scratches in the bait. A few days ago I was fishing a mann's jelly worm and set and missed a few fish. I looked at the worm and it was scratched up the hook. They just weren't getting the whole bait in their mouth by the time I set the hook. I let em take it a bit longer and low-and-behold started sticking 'em. 

 

If I ever get a little taps and set the hook I'd inspect the bait and see it would have little tooth marks that didn't go much further than the first half inch of the end of the worm. 

 

Doing this will also give you a better sense of how the fish are reacting to your lure and can often give you signs that say it's time to down size or change colors. 

[McFurie]

I never felt a bite I just watched the line swim off agin the tide when I got the bait back I was balled up on the hook with the point still exposed so I no the worm it self.didn't prevent hook up I was thinking the mono was stretching and not allowing good penetration that's why I tried the braid but I stopped getting bit would floro be a better option in the future or should I try a heavier rod maybe

[BassinLou]

Your original set up sounds fine to me. M/H rod is a strong rod. You also mentioned brackish water. Multiple fish species inhabit that type of water, so they may not have been bass pecking at your worm. Also keep in mind you are also fishing with braid in water with barnacles. Barnacles are the kryptonite for many fishing lines especially braid.

[RAMBLER]

I have that happen all the time especially when fishing those feeder streams into the St. John's.  Those streams are full of small warmouth.  They will hit worms just as soon as they hit the water especially if you toss the worm up next to tree roots.  They will really tear up tequila sunrise and purple/pink curly tail worms.  I have lost a lot of worms and hooks getting caught up in tree roots and logs when warmouth grab the end of the worm and run in under "stuff".  They are really thick in the Ocklawaha River.

[TWMstr]

your problem? your setting up a punching rig. Although your hook size choice is poor. A 4/0 hook on a trick worm is way too big, you should definetely take that down to a 2/0, maybe even a 1/0 but stick with mono. Braid will bend those smaller hooks. Also a 1/0 - 2/0 hook will give you the action you desire with a trick worm. A larger hook takes that away. Might want to give the weight size thought also. Like I said, 1/2 ounce weight and braided line is for punching matted grass whether exposed or suspended grass. Hope this helps. 

[TWMstr]

Also try 30# braid with 15# fluoro leader. With the cover you spoke of and all. 

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I never felt a bite I just watched the line swim off agin the tide when I got the bait back I was balled up on the hook with the point still exposed so I no the worm it self.didn't prevent hook up I was thinking the mono was stretching and not allowing good penetration that's why I tried the braid but I stopped getting bit would floro be a better option in the future or should I try a heavier rod maybe

Most of the time (atleast for me) with small bass you will either feel a few small taps on your line or you will not feel the bite at all they will kinda swim with it while they got it in their mouth. I think this is so other predators can't steal their food. With a big bass you will just feel a thumb or two on your line and they might swim a little bit. Then you set the hook and you will feel that hard head shake. (<-- my favorite part!)

 

I would say downsize your tackle cause it sounds like the bass are small, and use fluoro or copoly so you don't get line stretch but with 15lb there isn't a ton of stretch anyways.

[McFurie]

Thanx guys I appreciate the help I was talking to my neighbor who one a few tournaments out of that creek some years ago and he basically told me the same thing rambler said I think I will try down sizing everything and see if that puts more fish in the boat

[McFurie]

Thanx guys I appreciate the help I was talking to my neighbor who one a few tournaments out of that creek some years ago and he basically told me the same thing rambler said I think I will try down sizing everything and see if that puts more fish in the boat

[JayKumar]

That usually means panfish. Try going way up in bait size for bass....