How often do you have a false hookset?

[Rick Howard]

I couldn't say for certain but, I leave jigs in trees pretty often.  I've hooked a few weeds also.  What's really embarrassing is when you still think it might be a fish so you play it out for a few more seconds just to be sure.

[boostr]

Every time I go fishing.

[StrikePrince]

I find that in the "bites" I'm doubtful of, it's usually weeds or a branch but I set anyways. When I get a real bite it's like I intuitively know. 

 

It's weird how the memory of what a bite feels like seems to fade so quickly, like a dream, for some reason it's hard to remember exactly what it felt like. 

[.ghoti.]

In short, every time I fish. Hooksets are free.

[SuperCorona]

I unknowingly set the hook on a 4.5 pounder Sunday that was sitting in some pads.  I cast over the pads, worked my weightless t-rig trick worm to the back edge and tried to drag it on top.  It appeared to be hung up so I gave it a good pop to free it from the snag.  Next thing I know my line is running straight right and pulling drag.  Fortunately I got it into the boat before the hook fell out of its mouth.

[Deleted account]

Without getting into the weeds of the math (pun intended), the ratio of hook sets on non-bites (all other variables =) is going to be dependent on the skill and experience of the angler (actual, not self perceived). An expert angler (again, actual, not self accessed) is going to fish without the thought process involved in the mechanics. If you are all like " I think that was a bite, I should set the hook, you're going to be at 20-40%ish. 

[Bankbeater]

I'll run the bait across the top of a thick patch of vegetation that is under the surface, and I won't feel any resistance at all.  I set the hook, and nothing.

[lo n slo]

a bunch

[Bucky205]

If I'm in doubt I set the hook.  I was skipping tubes under docks Sunday and saw the line jump on the fall.  I set it hard and the rod doubled over under a solid load, then nothing, those are the ones I hate.

 

[GorillaBass]

this post seriously cracks me up..

 

Bro's...I set the hook at every absolute single opportunity I can, prob well over 50x in just a couple hours.

If my hook so much as bumps a rock on the bottom, its getting the business,

if it so much as gets throw some weeds? then i'm cutting the grass!!!

if it just ticks me off that im not gettin bites sometimes i just set the hook in open water and not give AF,

 

i miss a lot of fish, nothing ticks me off more than when they come off the hook..

 

which actually reminds me, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR HOOKS ARE SHARP !!

 

i reused the same shaky head for a long time, i lost 3 fish in one day, i felt the hook tip? DULL AF

[scaleface]

Last time fishing I set the hook on an anchor rope with anchor attached . Landed that sucker too.  12 lb XL is good stuff .

[bma3]

All the time, especially with senkos for me because whenever I feel anything out of the ordinary I swing!

[DINK WHISPERER]

At least one every trip out while flipping or punching. 

[geo g]

I seldom set the hook on anything other then a fish.  I usually use a highly sensitive line, and expensive sharp hooks.  I feel everything on the bottom as I fish a bait, and I am a devout line watcher.  Weeds, structure, and wood don't pull back.  If I feel any resistance, I will add a little pressure, until I feel a counter force.  Then I slam the hook set home.  I do this without thinking about it, its all automatic now, and within seconds of feeling the initial resistance. 

 

When I first got into fishing it was not like this.  There was way too much thinking, and not enough reactive response.  In the beginning, I would slam and miss, on make believe fish, or wait too long feeling for the bite, and lose a fish.  Time on the water, and thousands of bites put everything on autopilot.   Weeds, structure, and wood never feel like a fish, and don't promote an unconscious, explosive, reaction.  

[Christianmcc]

I fish a pond with very little vegetation. So most of the time I set the hook it’s a fish. I would say 80 percent of the time it’s a fish.

I fish a pond with very little vegetation. So most of the time I set the hook it’s a fish. I would say 80 percent of the time it’s a fish.