Losing Glide Fish

[Smokinal]

I've been getting bit very well on the glide bait but landing ratio has been horrible. I bet I only get 30-40% of glide fish to the boat; all others come off on first jump.

I fish a lot of cranks and have no issues there so I don't think I'm playing them wrong. Of course the baits are 2-3 oz so the fish have a lot of leverage.

 

I've been throwing a Waver 168. My thought is to swap the hooks. The stock hooks are a very thick wire hook and I don't think I'm getting a good hookset. They look to be made to hold the new world record but I'm catching 2-4 lbers

 

Thoughts?

 

[Mikeltee]

What kind of rod are you using? Heavy or mag heavy with a moderate action? Replacing the hooks will help for sure. Fish also flirt with big baits by bumping them without actually chomping down. Are you feeling hits or actually feel the weight of the fish?

[Smokinal]

Definitely hooked

I'm using a Dobyns; I think it's the 806, not sure, it is one made for glides and swimbaits.

 

Yeah, I see them come up and hit it but these are hooked and sling it on a jump...killin me

[Dwight Hottle]

Try not letting them jump by burying the rod tip in the water. If they do jump don't give them any slack pull them back down so they can't swing their head. Also try lighter gauge wire hooks like owner ZoWire maybe up sizing one size. 

[WRB]

R2Sea S Waver 168 weighs 1 5/8 oz, it's not a heavy lure. I changed the hooks to Owner STX 58 size 1 treble hooks. 

Dobyns 806 may be over powering the 168 glide lure?  795 is a better choice. Set the hook same as a crank bait; reel set with rod sweep.

Tom 

[Smokinal]

Thank you guys

I just looked tonight and it is the FR795SB

I have some No1 ST-36 hooks coming and will do my best to keep them down once hooked.

Those 2 things should bring more fish into the boat on the glide for me.

[TotalNoob]

@Smokinal Wanted to follow up on this thread, I am looking for lighter wire hooks for the 168 as well. Did you find the #1 ST-36 hooks to be lighter gauge and more appropriate for your needs?  

[Smokinal]

3 hours ago, TotalNoob said:

@Smokinal Wanted to follow up on this thread, I am looking for lighter wire hooks for the 168 as well. Did you find the #1 ST-36 hooks to be lighter gauge and more appropriate for your needs?  

Funny you mention this!

I went out yesterday; and although the conditions were not ideal for a glide, I had to throw it with those new hooks on it anyway.

Well, lo and behold, I had one hit it, got stuck, jumped a few times (despite my efforts to keep him down), and I dragged his butt right into the boat!

I'm not sure that 1 fish is enough to create an outcome but that bait is batting a thousand so far!

That hook is lighter than the stock hooks but still a rugged wire. I would have no dought it would hold a giant, if I were to get one to bite. Looking to get some more bites to really tell a difference but I'm happy with them so far.

[TotalNoob]

That's terrific! Well, I'm planning ahead for Fall and I intend to use the 168s (in conjunction with jerkbaits) on a walleye fishery known to hold some sizeable walleyes. My hope is that the 168s help to keep the smaller fish away while simultaneously (hopefully) drawing in larger fish for at least a look. 

 

But even a big walleye doesn't need these beefy stock hooks. Their mouth skin isn't as thick as a bass and they just stay down and shake their heads when hooked, they aren't running all around the water column during the fight. I really do need to find an appropriate lighter gauge alternative treble hook for this little Fall experiment of mine. I'm open to suggestions??