Hook setting issues and a punching rod

[jmcarriere]

So i knew i was missing fish and today while doing some punching i actually realized why and its because my hook set are half assed meaning im only doing about a half a hook set i dont kno if its because im afraid of pullung the bait away from them or what. What jave you done to train yourself to do jard hook sets?

Second part is i am looking for a good punch rod in the 7'6 range and $250-300 budget?

[Turkey sandwich]

I don't do a lot of heavy punching, but my hook ups do tend to be pretty good when I am pitching thick stuff.  The biggest thing that I try to remember is to be patient and make sure I'm feeling the fish and to remove any slack before setting the hook.  Depending where the hit takes place a hard vertical set or a fast reel down and set will usually do the trick.  The good news is that generally hook sets are free.  As for gear, again I don't pitch heavy cover often, but for all but the thickest stuff I have a SC Legend Elite MH F 7'3(?) worm/jig rod that does the job well.  If you're fishing dense stuff more often, it may make more sense to pick up something heavier and longer, but for me, space is a premium on the kayak and I typically don't need the bigger rod.  

[SuperCorona]

Are you using a heavy cover flippin hook and a snell knot?  That combination will improve your hook ups 100%.

 

My rod of choice is a Lew's 7'6 TP-1 Speed Stick, right around a C note.

[Catt]

I do not comprehend this whole idea "I'm afraid to pull it way from the bass!".

 

Are y'all in a tug-o-war with the bass?

 

If you feel the bite it's in their mouth & you can not pull it away from them unless ya don't set hook or ya to slow pulling the trigger!

 

Proper hook settings is about speed & power, speed in the fact that as soon as you feel the slightest indication of a bite ya pull the trigger & do it with authority!

 

iROD Genesis II Bub's Punch Rod $150 ?

[TOXIC]

Sure you can pull it away from them...if you have the wrong rod/line setup for the bait you are fishing or if you are using a heavy punching hook and you don't use enough force or on the opposite side of the spectrum, if you are using a thin wire hook and you use too much force.  

[Catt]

If the lure is in her mouth the only way to "pull it away" is to steadily pull & not set hook!

 

There's a moment in time, a time frame, or whatever ya wanna call it where the bass is inhaling you lure (the bite) correct?

 

Divide that time frame in two, the front half the lure is entering her mouth the back half the lure is leaving her mouth.

 

If ya setting hook during the the front half your odds are very high you're gonna stick em. If you're setting hook during the back half your odds of sticking em is greatly reduced.

 

This is the "speed" part of hook setting & is accomplished by detecting the bite as soon as possible!

 

The biggest reason for missed fish is ya setting the hook too late!

[TOXIC]

There's a saying I give clients that I rig with Senkos.  The first "thump" you feel is the fish eating your bait, the second thump is them spitting it out.  

[webertime]

I am guessing at 2 potential issues, one you can control. 

1  You are setting the hook on smallish fish or have a small hook with a big weight and the weight is popping their mouth open before the hook can grab.  This will always be something you can't 100% control.

2  You are Pitching/Punching too far out.  The angle from rod tip to the fish is very shallow and you are setting the hook and pulling the fish into the thick stalks of the weeds vs.  setting the hook and lift up out of the weeds.  I used to do this all the time.

 

When flipping set the hook like you are yanking your kid's hand away from a fire (if you are a parent you'll get it, if not think of it as a smokeshow of a girl about to burn her hand, you hero...)

 

Good flipping rods in that range.

Dobyns Champion 765/766

St. Croix Legend Tournament

Phenix Recon 796/766

 

That being said you don't need a sensitive/$$$$ rod to flip. The length of line is short and it's usually taugh braid so that increases the sensitivity.  A Daiwa Tatula 7'6" for $100 is a great stick and you can buy more tungsten with the savings.

 

[Catt]

19 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

There's a saying I give clients that I rig with Senkos.  The first "thump" you feel is the fish eating your bait, the second thump is them spitting it out.  

 

This is the way Shaw Grigsby put it to me, its call the three tap theory.

 

The first tap the bass has inhaled your bait

The second tap the bass has exhaled your bait

The third tap I'm tapping you on the shoulder asking you why you didn't set hook!

[jmcarriere]

6 hours ago, SuperCorona said:

Are you using a heavy cover flippin hook and a snell knot?  That combination will improve your hook ups 100%.

 

My rod of choice is a Lew's 7'6 TP-1 Speed Stick, right around a C note.

Yes i am using a flipping hook but my issue isnt just when flipping for some reason all my sets are half assed it is like i do a half hook set

[WRB]

If you are thinking was that a strike? Then you know it was when it's rejected!

Determining hook set timing isn't always the same, but as Catt is saying bass don't have hands, it's in their mouth or it isn't, set the hook when it is!

Tom

[Finnz922]

My opinion is don't slam back as hard as you can. Just a quick solid pull back and up. Look up Bub Tosh videos and his rod by Irod. I also like 3/4 to 1-1/4oz weight and a 3/0 to 7/0 hook depending on the bait tied definitely with a snell knot. I blew up a Megabass Destruction punching because the rod wasn't right for punching. Great rod and there are other brands of rods than Irod, just make sure it is a punch rod or flipping stick with a more moderate bend. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Sometimes, you just have to put your purse down and hit em bruh! ? I punch lighter stuff with a Phenix Recon Elite 796. For the heavier mats i use a Dobyns champion 805 and a Daiwa Zillion 8ft. 

[Fried Lemons]

If I think I have a fish I reel my rod tip down then give a short, hard set. Assuming you're fishing braid you don't need to swing the rod too much. Just reel down to give yourself some room for a strong hook set.