Setting Hooks

[Lacustrine]

I use a Revo SX 6:4:1 reel with a Ducket 7', fast speed, medium action, micro magic rod. When I try to set the hooks with worms even when the line is tight it always seems to pull the hook out of its mouth or the drag will keep the hook from setting even when the drag is set at around 8lbs for 10lbs test. What do I need to do different? 

[paul.]

you are going to get lots of answers on this as hooksets vary about as much as golf swings.  and there are A TON of variables that come into play.  in the end, you're gonna have to pick something that you are comfortable with and have confidence in.  with that said, i never let the line get completely "tight" before setting the hook.  if you do, the fish may feel you and be in the process of spitting the bait, which might or might not explain your trouble. 

 

i want a LITTLE slack in the line when i start the swing.  this helps generate momentum.  it's the difference in trying to drive a nail in with a hammer vs. trying to push it in. 

 

i am also bringing the butt of the rod into my ribs and the reel into my chest vs. trying to jerk over my head or away from my body.  this creates leverage.

 

those are your 2 ingredients in a good set - leverage and momentum.  this is worth a thousand words.  watch winch 'em out I and II.  nobody illustrates what i'm trying to say better than this guy.  set like this and you'll be air mailing fish to the boat.

 

 http://www.ragetail.com/news/rage-videos/

[Lacustrine]

That makes since. Thanks.

[Long Mike]

I don't know about Ducket rods, but if the micro magic is an ultra light rod, you need to change your rod.  It doesn't have enough backbone in it to set the hook in the mouth of a bass of any size.  If you want to continue with that rod, make sure that when you set the hook, you set it HARD.

[A-Jay]

you are going to get lots of answers on this as hooksets vary about as much as golf swings.  and there are A TON of variables that come into play.  in the end, you're gonna have to pick something that you are comfortable with and have confidence in.  with that said, i never let the line get completely "tight" before setting the hook.  if you do, the fish may feel you and be in the process of spitting the bait, which might or might not explain your trouble. 

 

i want a LITTLE slack in the line when i start the swing.  this helps generate momentum.  it's the difference in trying to drive a nail in with a hammer vs. trying to push it in. 

 

i am also bringing the butt of the rod into my ribs and the reel into my chest vs. trying to jerk over my head or away from my body.  this creates leverage.

 

those are your 2 ingredients in a good set - leverage and momentum.  this is worth a thousand words.  watch winch 'em out I and II.  nobody illustrates what i'm trying to say better than this guy.  set like this and you'll be air mailing fish to the boat.

 

 http://www.ragetail.com/news/rage-videos/

X2 ~ !

 

I agree with Paul  - one can make much more of a hookset than what in presented here.

 

But that doesn't mean it's needed.

 

This covers it.

 

A-Jay

[everythingthatswims]

There is no way you have it set on 8lbs of drag. Get a set of scales and see what it actually is. 

 

You can probably tighten it a little bit, just back it off once you hook the fish if you are worried about it.

[Fishinthefish]

Without seeing exactly what you're doing and or using it sounds like it could be three things if you're sure its a fish. You're setting the hook too early. The most common example of this is when you have a larger sized bait and the bass only has the tail end of it in its mouth. Another option is the hook set you're using is too hard. Try researching sweeping hook sets. The third option is the hook isn't an appropriate size for the fish you're catching. Too small of a hook and you may pierce the mouth but the fish will be quick to shake it out. Too big and if you don't get a good strong hook set and it won't penetrate far enough and again will head shake its way out. A far less common issue is over used hooks being far too dull. Either way try researching your gear and hook set technique. You also may want to try waiting an extra second or two on the hook set.

[WRB]

What hook, line and how is the worm rigged?

A medium rod can't apply more than 4 lbs of pull or lifting force, you will brake the rod first.

A medium heavy or 4 power rod may be more appropriate. To resolve your problem try skin hooking the worm; run the point through and out the top of the worm exposing the point, pull the point back, pinch the worm and insert the point into thecworm skin just barely covering it.

Worm hook set can be a snap set; drop the rod tip a few inches, no more, then snap the rod back into the slightly slack line. The snap set works if bass ins't too far away, about 40' max. If the cast is longer and the bass is further away, you need to reel all the slack out and make a hard sweep set. Sweep sets work if the hook point is sharp, the line doesn't stretch a lot and the rod applies enough force to drive the hook past the barb.

Tom

[Lacustrine]

I am using 10lb mono with BPS #2 hooks and 4"-6" worms . After watching the rage video series it said to use braid. Won't the fish see the braid and would braid hurt micro guides? I was fishing last season and I could not catch a thing using 15lb mono, but my partner was using 8lb mono and reeling them left and right. Were the fish seeing the line or was it something else? The water was stained color.

Thanks for the replies.

[Lacustrine]

There is no way you have it set on 8lbs of drag. Get a set of scales and see what it actually is. 

 

You can probably tighten it a little bit, just back it off once you hook the fish if you are worried about it.

O.K will do. Thanks.

[F14A-B]

#2 hooks? Ok, wacky rigged or? I believe your rod is to soft for a trig hook set, I use mono on baitcasting no problems ever on hard sets, with the right setup... I use medium rods for exposed hooks, wacky, open hook tube rigs,etc.. My guess is its NOT the line but rather your Duckett and hook..

[WRB]

I am using 10lb mono with BPS #2 hooks and 4"-6" worms . After watching the rage video series it said to use braid. Won't the fish see the braid and would braid hurt micro guides? I was fishing last season and I could not catch a thing using 15lb mono, but my partner was using 8lb mono and reeling them left and right. Were the fish seeing the line or was it something else? The water was stained color.

Thanks for the replies.

How are you rigging the worm? What style hook.and weight, Carolina, Texas, dplit shot, drop dhot ? 4" inch worm?

Tom

[Catt]

I find most of my student's problem is not hook set technique but strike detection.

There is a length of time starting when the bass inhales your lure to when they spit it, if you are setting hook on the last half of that time frame it does not matter the hook set technique.

Watch Glen Lau's videos Bigmouth & Bigmouth Forever to understand how fast that bass is at spitting your lure.

[Senko lover]

Before I started targeting bass, I used to fish for any species with nightcrawlers.

I never set the hook with them, just let the fish swallow it and you'll hook him, right?

Well, once I started bass fishing, I was leery to set the hook, and didn't like soft plastics right away.

Then, I started fishing at a little creek by my house. Those fish excel in fast current conditions.

They'll strike your bait fast, and if you don't set the hook the instant you see your line twitch, you will find yourself without a bait.

So I learned there at the creek that setting the hook actually helps you. I still was using nightcrawlers occasionally then.

I found that I hooked so many more fish with nightcrawlers by raring back.

So then I finally discovered plastic worms. Setting the hook was a given. I've never had a problem with hooking fish.

Even though I fished with spincast and "fairy wands" exclusively for a while, I always set the hook as hard as I could. Never broke a rod.

When you see your line twitch, just rare back. I don't even "drop and reel" or "wait on point to see if there is a fish," I just set the hook. Hard.

You might try tightening up your drag. Once you have a fish on, you could loosen it.

Good luck.

[Thornback]

To each his own technique. When fishing for bass with a Texas rigged plastic worm the second I feel the bump of the bass sucking in my worm I lower my rod to give the bass a little slack. Then I watch as my line starts moving and then I set the hook straight up over my head with all my strength. If you set the hook at the first bump you could be setting the hook on a small pan fish who just bit the tail. If the line is moving, you are grooving.

[Lacustrine]

#2 hooks? Ok, wacky rigged or? 

Texas rigged.

[Lacustrine]

How are you rigging the worm? What style hook.and weight, Carolina, Texas, dplit shot, drop dhot ? 4" inch worm?

Tom

I use a 1/4oz bullet weight. Mainly 6" worms with occasional 4" and 8".

[Lacustrine]

 If you set the hook at the first bump you could be setting the hook on a small pan fish who just bit the tail. If the line is moving, you are grooving.

Grooving?

[F14A-B]

Upsize your hook, a #2 seems a bit small on a 6" & 8" plastic worm, on 4" I use 1/0, 6" to 8" 3/0

Use a Straight shank or a Round bend offset, I do not use ewg hooks here... You might also consider a more stout rod as well, as I remember, Duckett seems to run soft,

[Thornback]

Grooving?

Grooving or Groovy is used to express a good feeling.

[matuka]

Upsize your hook, a #2 seems a bit small on a 6" & 8" plastic worm, on 4" I use 1/0, 6" to 8" 3/0

Use a Straight shank or a Round bend offset, I do not use ewg hooks here... You might also consider a more stout rod as well, as I remember, Duckett seems to run soft,

For texas rigging, I'd agree here, particularly if you are buried the hook point. As well, if you are making long casts if stretchy line, you can't move enough line to set that hook well.

[WRB]

With light 10 lb mono using a med power rod it's essential to use premium medium to light wire worm hooks.

Owner, Gamakatsu or Mustad Ultra point in size 3/0 for 6" to 7" worms, your tackle is too light for larger or fatter body worms with 4/0 hooks. Straight shank style hooks are higher % strike to hook set, off set styles work OK and easier to rig a worm onto straight skin hooked.

Larger size hooks will help you, set the drag at 3-4 lbs with a scale, if you need more use your thumb on the spool and increase your rod tip speed during the hook set. Med-hvy rod will help!

Good luck.

Tom

[Lacustrine]

Thanks. I usually poke the hook through the worm then put back in just below the surface. I will try to upgrade my hooks also.

[WRB]

When using the 4"-6" worms with the tackle you have try finesse C-rig. All you need is a Glass faceted 8mm bead between your worm and weight, I always rig my T-rigs with a bead, adds a clicking sound. When you want to Finesse C-rig just peg the bead about 24" up the line. I use rubber Peg-It, quick and easy to change.

Make sure your hooks are sharp, the point should scratch your thumb nail when lightly slid across it.

Owner size 1/0 #5133 is ideal for the finesse worms.

Tom

[Lacustrine]

Grooving or Groovy is used to express a good feeling.

I thought you meant I was doing something wrong called "grooving".