Premature Hook Sets?

[wackyy_worms]

so first off I apologize if this is a topic that has already been talked about, im new to the forums and other than my introduction post this is my first official post.

 

Let me start off by saying this is my second season really taking bass fishing seriously, and my first season doing anything besides bank fishing (just purchased my first kayak this spring) 

 

Now to the reason for the post...

When I was just starting out, whenever I would feel the slightest difference in my bait, I would go for a hook set.. and i mean I would really go for it!! most of the time I would miss the fish because they hadnt had a chance to fully commit to the bite or other reasons, and when I would get the fish.. I was bending out hooks left and right on certain rods.

I was able to break the habit by really calming myself down.

Now I seem to be getting back into the same old habit, but oddly enough its only when fishing flukes and other small swimbaits. thats the ONLY bait ill really get excited and rip at the fish immediately after I feel something. 

I guess I'm looking for advice on how to calm yourself down and not just have that immediate reaction to rip as hard as you can. 

my rod I use for t-rigged soft plastics is a 7ft medium extra fast rod. Its what I've came to like for that application...

I just really need to find a way to calm myself down and wait until the fish swims off with the plastic and then go for the appropriate hook set.

 

thanks for baring with me guys and I hope to hear some good responses.

 

p.s. what do you guys use for your t-rigged soft plastic rods and reel ratios. 

[roadwarrior]

Sounds to me like the fish you are missing might just be bream.

I'm not sure you can set a hook too quickly fishing soft plastics

and jigs.

[Catch and Grease]

Its all preference but I use higher gear ratios like 7-8 for stuff like Texas rigs.

Calming yourself down is a mental game, that being said you don't wanna give to fish awhole lot of time, you wanna set that hook as soon as you can reel up the slack, don't just jerk as soon as you feel it and have really sloppy hook sets though.

Remember, the first tick is the fish biting your lure and the second tick is them spitting it out, and you don't always feel the first tick

[wackyy_worms]

Sounds to me like the fish you are missing might just be bream.

I'm not sure you can set a hook too quickly fishing soft plastics

and jigs.

maybe your right, Im in the suburbs of philadelphia. the bite im talking about seems different but still a big bite. I never feel them pick it up and swim away when I miss, I just feel the common one or two ticks in my rod, definitely a bite of some sorts though

[wackyy_worms]

Its all preference but I use higher gear ratios like 7-8 for stuff like Texas rigs.

Calming yourself down is a mental game, that being said you don't wanna give to fish awhole lot of time, you wanna set that hook as soon as you can reel up the slack, don't just jerk as soon as you feel it and have really sloppy hook sets though.

Remember, the first tick is the fish biting your lure and the second tick is them spitting it out, and you don't always feel the first tick

thats mostly what Ive been trying to do... just calm myself down and not get so excited everytime I think theres a possibility of grabbing a fish haha. Also trying to learn the proper technique of setting hooks and different ways for different lures. 

[WRB]

Hook setting like everything in bass fishing changes with the type of lure being used.

Let's explore the common hook set; cross their eye. This term is usually associated with soft plastics like you are using. What does cross their eyes mean? It means a very hard rod set to drive the hook through the plastic and into the basses hard mouth tissue. Lots of ways this hook set can go wrong until you develop the right timing and rod speed.

The snap set or buggy whip set; this hook set is also used with soft plastics and jigs to drive the hook point through the basses mouth at very high speed and less force using the rod. The snap set requires some slack line to allow the rod tip to get up to speed before driving the hook point into the basses mouth.

The reel set with rod sweep hook set; this hook set usues the reel to recover any slack line and start the hook point into the basses mouth, the rod sweep completes the hook set. This hook setting technique is used more often with treble hook lures.

For your application I suggest developing the snap set or the reel rod sweep set and forget the cross their eyes hook set.

The snap set, feel a bite, lower the tip about 1 foot, than whip the rod back fast into the slightly slack line. This gives the bass a moment to get the soft plastic inside it's mouth before the hook is set. Timing when to hook set changes daily and you must make slight adjustments.

The reel & rod sweep set is consistent and applies pressure to the hook point faster than a rod set, agian timing the hook set takes practice. Keep the rod tip pointed in the direction of the lure while cranking up all the slack line until you feel pressure, then sweep the rod back firmly.

You shouldn't be straightening hooks when setting into fish unless the hooks are poor quality.

Tom

[MikeinFresno]

slowly say this in your head as you take up slack...set-the-hook, on hook you actually set the hook. Gives the fish time to really get it in their lips good.

[einscodek]

I also find its based on the specific day or conditions, there are days where setting the hook early meant no hookup and then there are days where they are spitting so fast after an obvious hit that I am on hair trigger from them on on hooksets

Adjust to whats goin on

[MichBassMan]

WRB said it VERY well !

[wackyy_worms]

Hook setting like everything in bass fishing changes with the type of lure being used.

Let's explore the common hook set; cross their eye. This term is usually associated with soft plastics like you are using. What does cross their eyes mean? It means a very hard rod set to drive the hook through the plastic and into the basses hard mouth tissue. Lots of ways this hook set can go wrong until you develop the right timing and rod speed.

The snap set or buggy whip set; this hook set is also used with soft plastics and jigs to drive the hook point through the basses mouth at very high speed and less force using the rod. The snap set requires some slack line to allow the rod tip to get up to speed before driving the hook point into the basses mouth.

The reel set with rod sweep hook set; this hook set usues the reel to recover any slack line and start the hook point into the basses mouth, the rod sweep completes the hook set. This hook setting technique is used more often with treble hook lures.

For your application I suggest developing the snap set or the reel rod sweep set and forget the cross their eyes hook set.

The snap set, feel a bite, lower the tip about 1 foot, than whip the rod back fast into the slightly slack line. This gives the bass a moment to get the soft plastic inside it's mouth before the hook is set. Timing when to hook set changes daily and you must make slight adjustments.

The reel & rod sweep set is consistent and applies pressure to the hook point faster than a rod set, agian timing the hook set takes practice. Keep the rod tip pointed in the direction of the lure while cranking up all the slack line until you feel pressure, then sweep the rod back firmly.

You shouldn't be straightening hooks when setting into fish unless the hooks are poor quality.

Tom

sounds like I'm already using the snap set unintentionally.. and when I take my time and relax I use the reel and rod sweep set. seems to be the most effective for me. thank you for all the information though I appreciate it. 

[wackyy_worms]

thanks for the quick replies and all the great information, this is the most helpful forum I've ever came across. Can not believe what a great community this is...

 

on a side note I just got back from fishing for a couple hours at a local pond. No missed fish and I was able to bring in 2 decent ones.. which in my area is around 2.5- 3 lbs. cant complain! 

[Jolly Green]

For soft plastics in general, you shouldn't need to wait longer than the time it takes to reel slack, drop the tip, and set it.  For flukes specifically (and other weightless presentations), I do usually wait until the fish has turned and headed off with it and I rarely miss a fish this way, but I feel like it has everything to do with how I fish them, i.e., stupidly slow, and also the fact that there isn't a spooky chunk of lead attached.  It may be in my head but I feel that I see a direct correlation between how slowly I work a fluke and the seeming lack of urgency on the fish's part.

 

As for missing bream, just yesterday I was fishing a very clear pond and had the privilege of watching several sizable gills try to slam and slurp up my finesse worm, and failing that, they still tried with all their little might to swim off with it for a couple seconds before giving up. I was surprised at how hard they hit and tugged; I probably would have swung on them if I hadn't been able to see them.

 

Finally, maybe consider how you might modify your T-rig to increase your chances. I favor Tex-posed style whenever possible, and on a Super Fluke I sometimes rig it so the hook point is just hiding in the slot on the belly, no plastic to punch through when it's go-time.

 

Good luck!

[papajoe222]

When graphite rods and braided line first became popular, I found myself experiencing setting the hook too quickly.  The only fish I was landing were hooked in the lip area and only rarely in the upper jaw, if I even landed them.  I started changing my rod position when working my baits so that my rod tip ended up at almost 12:00. Reeling down from that position to set the hook allowed the fish a little more time to get the bait entirely in it's mouth. It also increased the sensitivity when detecting bites. The other thing you might try is going to lighter line.  A few break offs on the hook set will remind you to take it easy on the hook set and that should slow down your reaction time. 

[Oregon Native]

Swimbaits and flukes I like to let the rod load up and then swing.  Missing a bunch....could be gills...try some smelly jelly.

[slimshad]

Bill Dance, "They don't have hands".  If you feel a tug it is in there mouth!  The only exception I have found is Spotted bass around here.  They seem to pick it up try to kill it, then eat it.  I almost shake it free then set it on the second bite.  Weird , but Iif I am on a mostly spotted bass bite this is what I have to do to get them in the boat.  I feel like the fish will tell you how to set the hook.  Trial and error.

[F14A-B]

Largemouth Bass, don't play with a plastic worm, they open and suck that bait in to eat/ swallow.. That's it. Plastic ( soft ) and Jigs? Are so diffrent from each other, on jigs? Yea, a faster hookset is usually needed... If you are just learning to T-rig a plastic worm, you need to quit jerking on every little bump... There is structure you are going to feel as well. Watch you're line, I have let fish run 10 seconds on plastics then jerk... They just hang on way long... Not so much on a jig though.

Bluegills can and do harass plastic worms.. You got to learn the Diff.... Feel you're line too, it's not so scientific as soo many want you to believe. It's nature, fish got to ( want to ) eat... The plastic worm is the best bait you will ever use.

[chris55552]

Heartbreaking when you miss fish I know, a month ago on Toledo bend I got a bass that was easily in the 9-11lb range up to the side of the boat and it broke the line.  I throw back bass that weigh over 4lbs, and I would've released that one but It still upset me big time.  My suggestion when your fishing soft plastics such as wacky worms, flukes is to push the hook all the way through the plastic and pull it back into the plastic so the hook will have little plastic resistance when a fish does bite.  This will increase your chances of hooking up properly and will help decrease heartbreak.

Hope this helps

[wackyy_worms]

For soft plastics in general, you shouldn't need to wait longer than the time it takes to reel slack, drop the tip, and set it.  For flukes specifically (and other weightless presentations), I do usually wait until the fish has turned and headed off with it and I rarely miss a fish this way, but I feel like it has everything to do with how I fish them, i.e., stupidly slow, and also the fact that there isn't a spooky chunk of lead attached.  It may be in my head but I feel that I see a direct correlation between how slowly I work a fluke and the seeming lack of urgency on the fish's part.

 

As for missing bream, just yesterday I was fishing a very clear pond and had the privilege of watching several sizable gills try to slam and slurp up my finesse worm, and failing that, they still tried with all their little might to swim off with it for a couple seconds before giving up. I was surprised at how hard they hit and tugged; I probably would have swung on them if I hadn't been able to see them.

 

Finally, maybe consider how you might modify your T-rig to increase your chances. I favor Tex-posed style whenever possible, and on a Super Fluke I sometimes rig it so the hook point is just hiding in the slot on the belly, no plastic to punch through when it's go-time.

 

Good luck!

funny you mention the fishes lack of urgency.. I noticed the same thing. I also fish them very slow, sometimes even just hopping it off the bottom with a quarter oz bullet pinned down. I have definitely noticed that sometimes it doesn't seem like they're really chasing it down and then slamming it, more seems like they slowly approach it and then grab the fluke. 

 

Also I should of mentioned that I do fish my flukes tex-posed 99% of the time, and just like you mentioned I bring the hook through and let it sit in the little crease thats on the top of the fluke.

[wackyy_worms]

Swimbaits and flukes I like to let the rod load up and then swing.  Missing a bunch....could be gills...try some smelly jelly.

what exactly is smelly jelly? ...Im assuming some type of attractant? have anything to do with keeping the bream fish away?

[Josh Smith]

Hi Guys,

 

I've been setting hooks since before I can remember, though Dad says I had a bad habit once of running up the bank to try to set the hook while shore fishing.  I seem to sorta' remember that and was surprised it was as simple as lifting the rod fast.

 

Anyway...

 

Most bass I've dealt with do one of a couple things:  They'll either grab the lure and run, or they'll hit it first to stun it.

 

Now, when they hit it first, it's a quick, hard hit.  That hard hit is followed by a BOOM (at least, that's what I hear).

 

So, I have a tap.  I wait a split second.  The boom is coming, and fast.  It's not a tap..... boom.  It's more of a tap-BOOM if you get my drift.  Very fast.

 

If you feel a tap-BOOM--tap, the fish critter done spit it out.

 

Other times they'll not bother with the stunning tap.  It's then sort of a tap-pull and happens very vast. 

 

Then rarely, at least for me, I feel the lure action stop.  That means set the hook.

 

Try doing this:  Feel the tap.  DON'T SET THE HOOK.  Prepare to, but wait for it.  On the BOOM, set it.  When you set it, do this:

 

1.  Don't lower the rod tip.  I know common knowledge these days is to lower the rod tip in preparation for the set.   I disagree.  Like in martial arts, chambering a punch or hook set will cost time you need. 

 

2.  You shouldn't have a lot of slack.  When you set the hook, crank the handle 1/4 to 1/2 turn.  In other words, pull up on the rod and push down on the handle.  You get about double power and speed.  No need to chamber.

 

3.  Practice thinking tap-BOOM-set, tap-BOOM-set, so when you feel that boom, you wait about one heartbeat prior to executing the set.

 

Dang, this sounds a lot more complex than it really is!  I promise, it works.

 

Regards,

 

Josh

[Ratherbfishing]

Usually the time it takes to position your body, the rod, and to take up slack for a proper hookset (and retrieve) is all the time which is required on soft plastics.  Perhaps, on a tight line and especially with an extremely stiff rod, if you immediately react (jerk) without giving thought to the aforementioned requirements, you could ****** it out of their mouths.  There will always be a few missed fish but as others have said, some of those are going to be pesky bream, etc.

[wackyy_worms]

Hi Guys,

 

I've been setting hooks since before I can remember, though Dad says I had a bad habit once of running up the bank to try to set the hook while shore fishing.  I seem to sorta' remember that and was surprised it was as simple as lifting the rod fast.

 

Anyway...

 

Most bass I've dealt with do one of a couple things:  They'll either grab the lure and run, or they'll hit it first to stun it.

 

Now, when they hit it first, it's a quick, hard hit.  That hard hit is followed by a BOOM (at least, that's what I hear).

 

So, I have a tap.  I wait a split second.  The boom is coming, and fast.  It's not a tap..... boom.  It's more of a tap-BOOM if you get my drift.  Very fast.

 

If you feel a tap-BOOM--tap, the fish critter done spit it out.

 

Other times they'll not bother with the stunning tap.  It's then sort of a tap-pull and happens very vast. 

 

Then rarely, at least for me, I feel the lure action stop.  That means set the hook.

 

Try doing this:  Feel the tap.  DON'T SET THE HOOK.  Prepare to, but wait for it.  On the BOOM, set it.  When you set it, do this:

 

1.  Don't lower the rod tip.  I know common knowledge these days is to lower the rod tip in preparation for the set.   I disagree.  Like in martial arts, chambering a punch or hook set will cost time you need. 

 

2.  You shouldn't have a lot of slack.  When you set the hook, crank the handle 1/4 to 1/2 turn.  In other words, pull up on the rod and push down on the handle.  You get about double power and speed.  No need to chamber.

 

3.  Practice thinking tap-BOOM-set, tap-BOOM-set, so when you feel that boom, you wait about one heartbeat prior to executing the set.

 

Dang, this sounds a lot more complex than it really is!  I promise, it works.

 

Regards,

 

Josh

I like this idea,.. especially because it seems like this is what the fish are doing to me sometimes. I try to set on that tap the first time and seems like its not in their mouth, so I'm going to give this a shot. and dont worry it doesnt sound too complex.

tap boom set, crank down a little on the set. I think I got it!

 

the story about running up the bank to set the hook is very funny by the way!!