Now how do I catch these suckers?

[cdailey]

so, .. i decided to stop by a little area after work one day to test out my tiny bugs i created with bass plastics.

just messing around i started noticing a ton of little hideouts for fish like underneath rocks, underneath random wood blocks someone threw in the water etc..

so i move my bait over to em and bam! they suck it in and i have no way to set the hook. ive noticed i only get 1-2 shots at the catch because every time it gets harder to make them bite it.

my question is how would one catch these fish without being able to set the hook? do u know of any tricks to use? 

also, i have no idea what species these fish are..my guess is there all different but thats the excitement.

[WIGuide]

Why can't you set the hook?

[Jaderose]

[Ratherbfishing]

1 hour ago, WIGuide said:

Why can't you set the hook?

This.

You might try circle hooks where you just reel in your line.

[soflabasser]

Use small hooks if you are targeting small fish.

[cdailey]

On 8/20/2016 at 5:35 PM, MIbassyaker said:

My  understanding is that "shad" refers to laminate colors that mimic a general countershading contrast (darker on back, brighter/lighter on the belly) common to shad, but also to most other baitfish, and indeed, most kinds of prey of any kind.  My guess is Red Shad probably works well if (1) reddish hues are generally good for your waters, maybe because of visibility or forage colors (maybe even just highlights), and (2) your bass sometimes key in on that overall countershading pattern, dark on top, lighter underneath.

 

14 hours ago, WIGuide said:

Why can't you set the hook?

the only open direction is out the way it came. would this just pull it out of its mouth? anytime i attempted to jerk he just let go of it. 

13 hours ago, Ratherbfishing said:

This.

You might try circle hooks where you just reel in your line.

saw them never knew what they were for..ill have to give them a try.

5 hours ago, soflabasser said:

Use small hooks if you are targeting small fish.

hook is pretty small. size for panfish.

[Turkey sandwich]

Pictures of the bait you're fishing and the fish you're throwing them at would make helping you much, much easier. 

[cdailey]

16 hours ago, Turkey sandwich said:

Pictures of the bait you're fishing and the fish you're throwing them at would make helping you much, much easier. 

The fish i have no idea but i did see him today and he looked black. he spit it out immediately before i had the chance to pull.

As far as the bait its my little "bug" i created by cutting the claws and body off of the BPS incredible craws. so its probably around 1"
heres a pic of both the original and cut versions.

after today no luck getting him im going to try a live worm.

[Fisher-O-men]

My guess is that your hook point is not making contact with the fish.  Be sure that the hook is not so buried in the bait that it has no way of sticking the fish.

[Penguino]

Sounds like your looking at a black crappie. If so, make sure you hooks aren't too big nor too small, and try a live minnow (shiner).

[cdailey]

42 minutes ago, Penguino said:

Sounds like your looking at a black crappie. If so, make sure you hooks aren't too big nor too small, and try a live minnow (shiner).

theres a bait shop right down the street from this spot. Ill try that idea instead of a worm. thx!

[clh121787]

Thread it on a small jig head or nose hook it exposed with a small no. 2 octopus hook. AND SET THE FRiGGIN HOOK next time

[soflabasser]

Try microfishing

[Bluebasser86]

Sounds like green sunfish to me, they love hiding under stuff like that. I use a tiny jighead and a piece of a 2" grub to catch them by the dozens for flathead bait. Hold it right next to a rock or other piece of cover and they poke their heads out and nab it but you have to be really quick or they blow it right back out.