Missed Hooksets

[Tony L.]

I am not sure why it took me so long, but I finally rigged my senkos wacky style today when I went to my local fishing spot. To this point, I have normally fished them t-rigged.

I had always wanted to try this technique, but seeing how easily these things tear, waited until I had the chance to pick up one of those tools to put an O-ring on. I fished it weightless with a 2/0 octopus hook through the o-ring on the center of the bait. I noticed that I had plenty of strikes, and caught a couple fish, but feel that I missed a lot more hookups than I should have. I was fishing 10lb braid with a fluoro leader. Bass in my area are far from trophy sized. It seems that 4lbs is about the max size and most fish are in the 2-3 pound range, so I scale down to a spinning setup with a medium powered rod and I fish mostly finesse applications. The 6'6" rod I was using was moderate in action because I also use it for live baiting trout and small catfish (that and I have several separate MH baitcasting combos that I use exclusively for bass). In any case, I thought that I could get away with more flex because of the non-stretch braided mainline. Was it a mistake to try and use this setup, or does it simply take a different type of hookset to drive the point home with this technique?

In one of my misses, I was fortunate enough to see the bass turn in the water when I struck- so I know that the force was being transferred to it- at least to some extent. I was letting the lure fall on a moderately slack line and, on the pickup, setting the hook with a sharp, upward jerk the instant I could feel weight on the end. Again, I feel like I missed a good number of my hooksets and lost several fish. Could someone please help me diagnose my problem- whether it was in my gear, tackle, or behavior?

[gulfcaptain]

I've had issues with wacky worming as well with the hooksets.  I have found most seem to hook themselves with a little lift and wind.  No need for a hard hookset as there isn't any plastic to drive the hook thru. Just my opinion. 

[K_Mac]

When using an octopus hook a sweeping hookset or a reel set is the way to go. Those hooks are designed to grab with steady pressure. Just apply pressure...good luck.

[macmichael]

I use circle hooks on my senkos. I hardly ever set the hook. It seems to me that if you set the hook you just rip it out. I let the fish hook themselves. If you feel a bump, nontypical line movement,   or a heavy hit, just reel and reel. This works well, for me anyway. Good luck.

[geo g]

Sometimes the misses are not bass, but bait fish, brim, blue gill, shell crackers, grapping the ends and tugging, instead of sucking in the bait like a bass. 

 

Don't forget Zoom trick worms for your wacky rigs.   They are not as thick as senkos,  have less resistance when in the fishes mouth, have great movement when jerked, and better when using those smaller hooks, like circle hooks.  I have used Zoom Trick Worms wacky for years. 

[Bluebasser86]

Wacky rig is one of my most effective techniques in the spring and early summer. It doesn't take a very hard hookset, especially with braid. I've had much better hook up percentage since I switched to Gamakatsu wide gap finesse hooks. I fish braid with a fluoro leader and a 6' 6" MH/F spinning rod but all I do is reel fast and lift, no real hookset needed. 

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I just reel into the fish when my line starts running off.

[einscodek]

If yo actually saw the hook and felt its weight in the fish, I think it may be time to take a good look at your hooks and make sure they are super sharp

a super sharp hook makes hooksets alot easier and you'll miss less

[HardcoreBassin]

I think 1 of the issues is your hookset.  When I fish wacky with an octopus hook, I set the hook by reeling in and sweeping my rod.  Try to avoid the "grip and rip" technique with the octopus hook.  It's designed to set itself.

 

-Dale

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Favorite rod I use with wacky senkos is 8' Medium light moderate with 10# braid. I would say my hook-up % is excellent. I dont/havent use octopus hooks though and read that they need a different style of hook set. I do rig my hook so its perpendicular to the senko and feel this helps get the hook exposed a bit so if they take it broadside they bite down on the hook, just my take.

[PersicoTrotaVA]

With open hooks you don't need to jerk up, just lift and reel, the hook does the rest.  Wacky style is my go to technique.  When things are tough and I can't get a bite, I always get at least 1 with my wacky worm.  

 

When you see the line bounce or if you can feel the tick, just lift the tip to get the slack out, don't reel the slack in, lift the tip.  Then start reeling.  You should be reeling thru your drag for a few seconds to keep that tension and then you can play the fish normally.

 

As far as gear, you want a Medium power, Fast to Extra Fast action.  Most people use anywhere from a 6'6 to a 7'0 depending on your height and reach.  I like spinning gear for wacky but there are a few people that use casting rods.  Line, once again is your preference.  I like braid for the sensitivity and the strength but sometimes I will switch it up with mono or fluorocarbon if the fish want a slower(mono) or faster(fluorocabon) sink.  Braid for heavy cover and the other 2 for more open water.  Highest I will go with braid is 20lb test.  Mono and fluorocarbon I don't go over 8 lb test.  Hope this helps!

[F14A-B]

Not sure what exact hook you're using, not all are created equal... I believe you will, with use, get you're timed hookset. Open hooksets are a bit different than a Trig...

Owner SSW 2/0 or 3/0 mosquito I want strong sharp hooks with this style of rigging, some like smaller that's fine too... Play around with hooks.. And you're timing, you will develop it.

[WRB]

It's your timing, too quick and too hard. If you don't hook set with a unweighted Senko the bass often swallows it and gets gut hooked. Circle hooks prevents gut hooking. The reel and rod sweep set works good with wacky rigged soft plastics, split or drop shot and C'rigs.

Tom

[that possum]

If yo actually saw the hook and felt its weight in the fish, I think it may be time to take a good look at your hooks and make sure they are super sharp

a super sharp hook makes hooksets alot easier and you'll miss less

If I start missing a lot of fish, I'll check my hook. If it ain't soul-swallowing sharp, I replace it with one that is.

If I still miss fish, I will wait just a bit longer before sticking them.

[bigbill]

Your too quick give it a few more seconds before setting the hook.

I use the senko type baits right out of the package with a 3/0 eagle claw seedless hook. On the first cast no scent. If I get a strike and a miss and when the seedless spring comes up open that confirms it was a strike. I give the senko a shot of bass scent on the second cast so they hold on to the bait a tad longer so I can set the hook. I did go up one size larger on the hook size. My hook sets did increase with the 3/0 hook.

Plastics fishing is like topwater fishing we need to delay the hook set. We know they have it but give them a few more seconds of pleasure till we set the hook.

[JustinHarantFishing]

Never had that problem and I use gamugatsu wacky hooks with a little weed guard.