Jitter bug hookset!!?

[juicebass]

Was fishing the jitter bug and had a bass jump for the lure. Didn't see the bait anymore and went to set the hook only for the bait to come flying back at me. Did the fish miss it or did I pull it from its mouth.. I Waited a pause before hookset.. 

i guess I tried to set the hook hard like a frog. Is that why I missed it? What's the technique for a treble hook top water bait like that?

rod was a 7'6 medium heavy Veritas. 65lbs braid

 

thanks!!

[geo g]

You see or hear the strike don't set until you feel some weight.  Much like a hollow body frog set.

[scaleface]

Dont feel bad . I set the hook too soon a lot . Its hard not to when one explodes on your lure . You should not set it until you feel the fish . Easier said than done .

[riverbasser]

Mono helps me with top waters, it's hard not to get excited and set the hook early!

[j bab]

39 minutes ago, riverbasser said:

Mono helps me with top waters, it's hard not to get excited and set the hook early!

This and a slower action rod would also help

[tbone1993]

I found that a medium action rod made the difference on lighter topwaters. Pop r's cast better and I dont pull them out as often.

[papajoe222]

I hold my rod different when fishing Jitterbugs, CrazyCrawlers and buzzbaits.  I'll keep the rod tip up around 11:00. When a fish hits and the rod loads up, I just raise it up and reel. Even with that big, single hook on a buzzer, I rarely miss a hook up or rip the lure out. 

As someone already mentioned, a moderate action for most treble hook topwaters eliminates a majority of mishaps.

[primetime]

I do my best to always feel the fish when I have treble hooks and do more of a sweep or lean back so I do not have any slack in the line. I find if I am not focused the entire time, I almost always set the hook like I am using a Frog and that is not the way to go with trebles for the most part...

I find fish slap or miss a topwater with treble hooks at the same rate as any topwater even a frog...Sometimes they just come up and smash it without the intent of eating it, and I am always amazed how a fish can crush a lure with 3 treble hooks and not get any hook at all at times...

I think when a fish wants a topwater, they take it down and from there it is just playing the fish, you could get away with just doing a reel set if you feel the weight and have good treble hooks. The hard part is keeping them buttoned up if on a long cast without them throwing the hook or getting you hung up, or some how getting slack in your line...I would rather have gear to heavy and land the fish then use a lighter rod, but that is just my preference, I like a fast tip so I can work the lure better but I know that is all preference.

Jitterbug...I need to throw that again soon...I have a hard time putting down the prop baits this time of year, the Jitterbug has gained some respect again with many companies copying it and charging big bucks with a fancy name..same as the crazy crawler...I still love the Torpedo but I have replaced the devils horse with the X Rap Prop since I decided it just works better but Heddon is still the real deal..

[IndianaFinesse]

Spool mono on a medium power rod, and don't set the hook till you feel the fish.  Although i love Topwater fishing, it is so hard to not set the hook the instant the bass blows up on your bait.

[Heron]

I don't set the hook hard....Instead, since this bait has double treble hooks,  I set the hook kind of in the same manner as I do with a crank bait.  With a long sweeping motion.  Never had a problem.

[VolFan]

One thing to be cognizant of with J-bugs is those factory hooks aren't the greatest ( or at least didn't used to be).  Change them out or sharpen them if you feel confident doing it.

[Heron]

I see a lot of mention of using a medium action rod with a slower tip....and I fully agree with this.  However, it is equally important to also understand how to successfully pull off the same soft hookset, with a more stout, heavier rod.

[juicebass]

20 hours ago, primetime said:

I do my best to always feel the fish when I have treble hooks and do more of a sweep or lean back so I do not have any slack in the line. I find if I am not focused the entire time, I almost always set the hook like I am using a Frog and that is not the way to go with trebles for the most part...

I find fish slap or miss a topwater with treble hooks at the same rate as any topwater even a frog...Sometimes they just come up and smash it without the intent of eating it, and I am always amazed how a fish can crush a lure with 3 treble hooks and not get any hook at all at times...

I think when a fish wants a topwater, they take it down and from there it is just playing the fish, you could get away with just doing a reel set if you feel the weight and have good treble hooks. The hard part is keeping them buttoned up if on a long cast without them throwing the hook or getting you hung up, or some how getting slack in your line...I would rather have gear to heavy and land the fish then use a lighter rod, but that is just my preference, I like a fast tip so I can work the lure better but I know that is all preference.

Jitterbug...I need to throw that again soon...I have a hard time putting down the prop baits this time of year, the Jitterbug has gained some respect again with many companies copying it and charging big bucks with a fancy name..same as the crazy crawler...I still love the Torpedo but I have replaced the devils horse with the X Rap Prop since I decided it just works better but Heddon is still the real deal..

ya i think the fish might've just slapped it.. It was my first time fishing the jitterbug and the action looks great. kind of like a buzzbait but not as aggressive. i'm definitely gonna throw it more often!

1 hour ago, VolFan said:

One thing to be cognizant of with J-bugs is those factory hooks aren't the greatest ( or at least didn't used to be).  Change them out or sharpen them if you feel confident doing it.

true, they dont seem like great hooks

[primetime]

I also think most Jitterbugs lack split rings like many of the older Pradco Topwater Lures like the spooks etc..I always make sure my topwater lures have split rings, since the older lures without rings have hooks that are stiff and easie to throw imo...

I wouldn't think you need anything special to add split rings to a Jitterbug, I think the action would remain the same since adjusting the metal lip is probably the biggest factor in the action or if you add a dressed treble hook which creates a bit more drag, but some days fish love a dressed rear treble...

I just checked the 2 Jitterbugs I have and I can see I added split rings to both and I always check them to see how they run and I think mine were made in probably the 80's or 90's...I did find a jointed Jitterbug that had really different split rings then I would choose, so maybe they come now stock now?  I May have purchased it used or it some how found it's way into a box...I don't think I have ever used it but I do like the idea of throwing one again...I bet the Bass in many of the lakes and ponds I fish have not seen a Jitterbug in years...

Good post.

[Crestliner2008]

True.....add split rings and change out those awful hooks! Put a pair of quality trebles on the rings and your hook up ratio will skyrocket. The factory hooks can be used, but at the very least, make sure you sharpen them every hour or so - and I mean "sticky" sharp. I also agree that a slower action rod and monofilament line will help. Bottom line is to practice and not get too anxious to set the hook. When you feel the weight, you have the fish! Good Luck!