Missing Fish On Hookset... Jig/trig

[Mr_Scrogg]

I was thinking about my last outing.  The Central Bass Resource Kansas Meet.  I missed a good many fish.  I tossed a Jig/TRig most of the day. (Lake was littered with fixed docks/boat houses)  I've always been a reel down and set kind of fisherman.  But the more and more I think about it, I think that it's the reason I'm missing fish.  I like watching mikeybalzzz Youtube vids, that guy can flat out catch some toads.  And I notice that he just sets on his TRig/Flipping.  No reeling down, just straight crossing the eyes.  I've read that the sweep/set on jigs is how some do.

 

Don't think there is a real question here. Just wanting a little input and thoughts on this subject. 

 

 

[WRB]

This question is common on this site, do a little research. Lots of varying opinions on hook sets, pick the answer you are comfortable with.

My opinion; bass don't have hands and hook sets are free...faster is better with jigs, T-rigs you can sometimes get away with a short pause. Snap set is good when casting a short distance, longer cast the reel & swep works good.

Tom

[Swampstud]

Today I fished a jig and the first 6 bites were the normal tap tap, hookset and there on. As a lil time went on I missed several. The bite changed, itd be tap tap tap set the hook and riippp there goes my claws of my trailer. I eventuall figured out to wait a sec and let eat it. Then it changed again to dead weight. What im sayin is you have to adapt.

[Bluebasser86]

It wasn't just you, everyone was missing fish Saturday. I missed what I'm assuming was the same fish 4 or 5 times under the same dock before I gave up on it. The 40 degree swing overnight had them short striking badly. We missed a lot of fish on jigs and even the ones we hooked were barely hooked. It was a common problem all around. 

[Mr_Scrogg]

That makes me feel a little better, Blue.     I'm headed back out tossing those hudds tomorrow, I might even take a few jigs to toss into the water willow.   We've had pretty stable conditions since the weekend, maybe it will prove to be a better go this time around. 

[daiwaguy]

I agree with Alberto here. The slight change in color can make a huge difference in how the fish reacts to it. Watching the line has always been a good indication to me on when to set the hook. If the line is running set the hook. And sometimes the bass feel the hard metal jig in there mouth and will spit it out almost instantly, either way if the line moves set the hook.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I dont reel down on them per say. But I do reel up the slack. 

[bigbill]

I'd add a shot of scent for a longer hold on your jig. If your using a scent I change the flavor. Example if I'm using the baitmate orginal bass scent I switch to the garlic baitmate scent. They seem to enjoy the change in flavor. I've also done this on slow days too. Somedays we like steak with our eggs too right?

If your misses uses that chopped garlic in a jar don't throw the juice away when the jar is empty it's free scent. Use a little and keep the rest in the fridge.

[mnbassman23]

I usually reel up any slack and then smack them. Given the conditions you may find that you can set the hook right away and other days you may have to wait on them. Pay attention to the bite and how they are eating the bait.

 

On my last outing about half the fish thumped it one hard time and went to dead weight, each one of them had choked the jig. The other half all you could feel was a couple light taps as they slowly swam with it. If I set the hook right away on these fish I would miss them everytime, I had to let them eat it for 2-3 seconds. Attention to detail can be your friend.