Kayak Hook Sets

[everythingthatswims]

Had some issues hooking fish from my kayak today on jigs, I kept on losing fish in the 2-3lb range (didn't hook anything bigger or smaller), they would thrash 2 or 3 times and before I could get them to the boat they would spit it. Didn't plan on fishing jigs so 14lb mono on a 7' MH was all that I had to pitch heavy cover with....I'm hoping that when I step it up to 17 or 20lb mono I will have a better hookup ratio, the 14lb was stretching quite a bit on hook sets and when a fish is swimming through brush, the twigs make the angle of the hook set really weird. Anybody else experience difficulty hooking fish from a 'yak? I know kayaks limit hook set power but I was winding up and swinging for the fences with these guys.

This one wasn't lucky enough to spit the bait

[Scott F]

That's why some guys only use braid.

[Jrob78]

You just have to manage your slack line better.  When fishing from a seated, fixed position, you really need to be fundamentally sound with your hook sets.

[OroBass]

Agreed I fish from a float tube and caught a 11 pounder last week from it. Every thing is harder for us. Hookset and the fight is intense fighting a big fish from water level.

[RoLo]

"Kyak Hook Sets"

  HMMPH!  Do they fight hard or do they come in like a plank?    

[Mr. BattleArmor]

I would say just be mindful of your slack line. When standing on the bank, We have the ability to lean back when setting the hook, even take a step back. On a 'yak, we can pretty much only use our arms, unless standing, but even still there is limited movement compared to on the bank. I try to set the hook and reel quickly after, more quickly than when standing on the bank. These keeps the line tight against the fish, which is probably why you are losing them. At least, thats what it was for me. One second of slack line could be the difference between fish and no fish. 

[OroBass]

Mr battle Armour nailed it. I tend to set the hook and reel at the same time

[Gaerith]

I use mainly braid and do a side sweep type hookset when fishing in my yak. Only fishes I have lost so far have been on fluoro cranking and I didn't tire the fish out sufficiently to land it. Its really easy to get slack line when you get the fish close to the yak IMO, and it's where you have to take the most caution.

[Tylertut]

The only fish I have lost lately have been on wacky rigged worms and I attribute that to the small hook. When I'm on my kayak I usually am standing and use a sweep hook set and have no problem setting the hook. Might be because I only use straight braid but With my lighter rods I'll even try to set the hook twice if possible.

[.ghoti.]

I'm always sitting and have learned to reel down, get the rod tip close to the water, and set straight up. I get a lot better hook sets this way. And, I don't fall over backwards into the water trying to do a "geronimo" hookset. LOL