Setting The Hook With Spinning Gear

[ThatZX14Fella]

I need some help. It may be a stupid question, but how do you set the hook with spinning tackle? I've never really used it and here lately I've become more fond of spinning tackle than baitcasters. The only problem is, when I try to set the hook the line ends up behind my head or it feels like the rod rolls or something. I try to set overhead because that's the way I've always set the hook. Should I try setting to the side or am I not reeling enough slack in or should I just stick to baitcasting tackle?

[the reel ess]

I do it with Fireline (zero stretch) and Gamakatsu hooks. Because I'm not very good at it either.

[RoLo]

For many years, all my spinning reels were spooled with Trilene XL nylon in various breaking strengths.

Driving the hook home with mono required a long rod stroke to overcome the line-stretch of nylon, fluoro & copoly.

For maximum stroke, you need a long rod, need to drop the rod-tip to the water and take up all slack line.

Today, all my spinning reels are spooled with braided line, and the hook-set stroke is less critical and much shorter.

 

Roger

[ThatZX14Fella]

It's my dad's setup and he has 14 pound red Cajun Line.

[curtis9]

Sounds like you aren't reeling in enough slack.

[flyfisher]

Sounds like you aren't reeling in enough slack.

X2 that would be my guess as well

[noway]

Potential drag issue.

[Senko lover]

I use 10 pound Spiderwire, and I rare back as hard as possible.

[Angry John]

I use a 7' or longer rod with 6 lb line. I hit them hard and set the drag to prevent brakeoff.

[the reel ess]

Mono has about 10% stretch before it starts to be damaged.That means if you have out 30 ft of line and need to set a hook on a heavy fish, the first three feet of your hookset could be wasted. Then if you're setting on a soft plastic, the fish could be swimming sideways or toward you. Then you have even more slack than you think and your set might barely tighten the line. Superlines will take up a lot of that stretch. Now a 300 yd spool of Fireline costs about $17 and it will last forever on the reel. You don't have to fill the spool with it. Just little less than the last half the spool will do. I have a 1000 yd spool of Trilene Big Game 17 lb that I use for backing.

[gardnerjigman]

I use 8 lb red label fluoro and good hooks. Never have to "drive it home". Have your drag set, some drag will peel when you set the hook if set right, then just reel up slack and give it a pop.

[ThatZX14Fella]

Once I get my own spinning setup I'll probably go with braid or a better mono. For now though, o don't want to mess with the setup too much since it isn't mine. I did change the line to 12 pound Berkley Big Game earlier because that's basically all I've used since I've been fishing.

[flyfisher]

12lb line on a spinning reel seems to be really heavy.  I know on my 2500 sized reels it acts a lot better with 6lb diameter.  Not sure if that is part of the problem or not though...

[ThatZX14Fella]

12lb line on a spinning reel seems to be really heavy.  I know on my 2500 sized reels it acts a lot better with 6lb diameter.  Not sure if that is part of the problem or not though...

It had 14 on it. Not my reel so I'm not buying lighter line for a reel when he may just take it right back off. It seemed to do fine with the 14 pound line though. Casted a good ways and seemed to have no problems.

[Ozark_Basser]

Sounds like you aren't reeling in enough slack.

This is your problem.

[Weld's Largemouth]

This is your problem.

x3

It doesn't have to do with your line.

You could have dental floss on your reel and still set the hook if you reel slack in properly.

[the reel ess]

12lb line on a spinning reel seems to be really heavy.  I know on my 2500 sized reels it acts a lot better with 6lb diameter.  Not sure if that is part of the problem or not though...

It all depends on the reel's spool. I used Berkley Big Game 17 on my spin combo until someone turned me on the Fireline. 17# Fireline has the diameter of 8# mono, no stretch or memory and after you use it an hour or so, it's as limp and castable as small mono. The only negative I can see it it's slightly visible in clear water. But I don't fish in clear water. It hasn't seemed to hurt me. If I was to fish a clear place, I guess I'd tie on a floro leader.

[Felix77]

I use 15lb braid with an 8 lb leader.

 

1 - Always use light wire hooks.

2 - make sure they are a quality hook (I use VMC and Gamakatsu)

3 - Make sure you manage your slack.  Not too much.  Not too little while working your lure.

4 - When you get the bite reel in quickly and set the hook (reel set like)

 

Good luck

[SirSnookalot]

Potential drag issue.

I'd set the drag 1 or 2 clicks more, use braid and set the hook with a side motion.  Hooksetting is a reflex action, once your muscle memory gets trained no thought is required.  

[the reel ess]

I went this morning and caught one on a Trick Worm with very little hookset. It bit and ran so fast I only had time to tighten up and start reeling. I just leaned back and reeled it in. The gamakatsu hook set just fine.

[Mr Q]

I need some help. It may be a stupid question, but how do you set the hook with spinning tackle? I've never really used it and here lately I've become more fond of spinning tackle than baitcasters. The only problem is, when I try to set the hook the line ends up behind my head or it feels like the rod rolls or something. I try to set overhead because that's the way I've always set the hook. Should I try setting to the side or am I not reeling enough slack in or should I just stick to baitcasting tackle?

I have only used spinning reels with stout action rods for the large bass I go for. When using these reels/rods, slowly reel in almost all of the line slack with the rod tip at about 10 o'clock position in front of you and aimed at the bait. Then, with a quick lifting of the rod tip with the bail closed, the hook should be set properly (in the fish's outer mouth/jaw area. Waiting too long to set the hook risks having the bass swallow it. I find it best to set the hook as soon as possible to keep the hook in the jaw area in case I want to release the fish after being landed. This not only insures a landed fish but reduces the risk of the fish bleeding from a swallowed hook - which will send a blood scent quickly throughout the area, ending any feeding and scattering the fish. Because I routinely catch 6-12 pound bass, I use a "light weight" salt water spinning reel( a Penn) so as not to strain the innards of the reel.

Stretch in mono line? Yea, it can be a problem when setting the hook. I moved onto braided tevlar line for positive hook setting and line wear over rocks. The only negative side of it is not as secure knot holding ability, otherwise its great, especially for the diameter/breaking strength (a 20 lb. test with the diameter of 12 lb. momo).

[tomustang]

What techniques are you using, if youre swinging out of the park and still have line out you either are using rubber bands or your slack isn't fully reeled in