Newby Bass Fishing Question

[Nick Jonesy]

Hi,  I recently started bass fishing and tonight on two occasions I experienced while I was fishiing with a plastic worm, just a big strike and it just let go.  In the past I would feel a strike and the line would run - then I would set the hook.  Tonight is a firsst for me.   It definitly was not a Brim as both strikes were pretty big.

Thank you 

[jr231]

More info need. Your post was pretty vague. Plastics worms come in all shapes , styles and sizes. How were you rigging the worm and what type ? 

[Nick Jonesy]

Well I am new Just tied a worm hook and threw a pumpkin seed color worm - I apologize for being so vague as i am really new to fishing.

[jr231]

No problem at all. I lurked on this forum long before joining and have truly learned alot already. The wealth of knowledge on this site can be somewhat overwhelming.  Youre at the right place ! 

Ok . Back to the subject. The color is really irrelevant. Was it a stick worm ? Ribbon tail ? Did you Texas rig it (hook through the top of worm and out the middle ) did you use weight ?  Was the hook point exposed as you were fishing it ? 

[Nick Jonesy]

Thank you - no I did not use a weight, it did not have a ribbon tail so I am assuming stick worm.  Yes texas rig with hook slighly exposed.

Hope this helps.

[jr231]

Without a picture I'm going to assume it was a stick worm. Even tho there are many types. Anyway. Size hook , and line ? Also the rod can come into play. 

But I'm willing to bet that the bass didn't have the worm in its mouth all the way to the hook. it could have been small bass, That didn't take the bait all the way. Either that or you set the hook to late , or too soon . Also maybe not hard enough or too hard.. it's something that happens.. everyone loses fish. "That's why they call it fishing not catching " 

Btw. If it is a stick worm. And the pond or lake isn't very weedy where you are fishing . Try a wacky rig. Where you hook the worm in the middle of the bait only, so that both ends dangle freely. This is a effective and near fool proof technique. There are hooks that are made especially for this but you can do it with just about any worm hook. 

I suggest you do some reading about plastic worms and whatever else you're curious about. A plethora of information is at your finger tips. 

Good luck bud. 

[geo g]

It would really help if we knew what part of the country you were fishing.  Go to your profile and put in location and what bodies of water you fish.  Here in Florida we get violent strikes from gar, pickerel, exotics, and mudfish.  They often strike but dont get hooked.  They tear at the baits and often miss the hook.  If you have gar, or pickerel that might be the case.  Also try a quality thin wire hook like a Gama, it will help with the penetration.

[Nick Jonesy]

Thanks guys.  I did updated my profile - reside in Memphis, TN.

The strike was quick to where there was no time to set the hook.  I know there are crappie, brim, bass and catfish in this pond.

Just trying to understand why a quick strike - had to be a bass cause it was a big strike.  My experience has always been they run with it, not a quick hit and thats all.

Thank you

[davecon]

Just a wild guess here, but at what angle to the water are you holding your rod ?

Point is, you should be able to drop the rod tip to give the fish a moment to take the worm before he feels any pressure. If you hold the rod extended towards the lure and the fish hits hard/moves away while taking the bait you don't have time to give any slack (that makes the strike feel BIG), the fish feels pressure and spits the lure. If your rod tip is somewhat higher, you can drop it, give slack, and hopefully the bass will feel no resistance. You then tighten up and set the hook.

Admittedly there are times when you must set the hook the instant you feel anything but that doesn't sound like the problem you are having.

Unfortunately, only experience will really teach you. On the positive side, at least you are getting bites and that's a great start.

Keep at it, you'll figure it out.

Good Luck.

 

p.s.. _ suggest you google Glen Lau. He has a bunch of videos on the net which may help improve your learning curve. They are free and are really eye openers, especially to a novice.

[jr231]

I've never caught a crappie on a plastic worm . Bait fish imitators , all the time. Worms .... no. I wouldn't worry to much about it. Just keep fishing.  Time on the water is Irreplaceable. What are your "go to" techniques ? And how big is this pond. 

[MikeWright]

@Nick Jonesy Maybe he just swiped at it...maybe you hit a twig...hell maybe it was a crappie and didn't get the whole thing in it's mouth. Just keep fishing bro, when I lose a fish that's the most exciting part to me...you don't know what it was...how big it was (or little), and that's the enjoyment of it all. Welcome to the sport and the forums!!!

[papajoe222]

When fishing with soft plastics as well as jigs, you are going to experience many different types of bites bisides seeing your line move off to the side, or a profound bump.  When you se your line moving off to the side, the fish already has the bait in its mouth, a solid bump on the other hand, could be a number of things including the fish sucking in your worm, but on the other hand she could have had it in her mouth and spit it out and that is what you felt.

i always assume the fis has taken the bait and set the hook.  How you set the hook is just as important as the equipment you use.  Even with the best of both, you'll still miss fish if they don't have the bait and hook completely in their mouth. Give them a second or so after you feel that bump, drop your rod tip, reel in the slack and set the hook.

oh yea.  Welcome to the forums. 

[Luna2406]

7 hours ago, davecon said:

Point is, you should be able to drop the rod tip to give the fish a moment to take the worm before he feels any pressure. If you hold the rod extended towards the lure and the fish hits hard/moves away while taking the bait you don't have time to give any slack (that makes the strike feel BIG), the fish feels pressure and spits the lure. If your rod tip is somewhat higher, you can drop it, give slack, and hopefully the bass will feel no resistance. You then tighten up and set the hook.

 

great advice, sometimes you have to give them that extra second. I've had some small bass really smack my worm and I was surprised when I pulled it up. When I feel the bump, I drop my rod, reel in all the slack, watch that the line is moving (sometimes its not) then I swing away. Recently I noticed that I was missing fish and noticed I was sweeping to the side (like I do with a crankbait or topwater) instead of setting the hook straight up. Try setting the hook straight up instead of to the side? That might help. Good luck man!! Welcome to the addiction!

[JustJames]

line run like when you wait and bait fishing? 

Maybe you let your worm sat slack line, when bass bite you didnt feel the bite up until the point line move to be tight enough and let go the worm that when you felt it. Just my wild guess.