Fixing a Weak Hookset

[Buzzbaiter]

Today, I lost a decent sized fish because of a bad hookset. He was on for about 3 seconds before he popped loose. This isn’t the first time that this has happened. My hooksets just aren’t consistently strong enough to drive an EWG, even if it’s a light wire. Is there a way to fix my hookset or is it something that will get better over time?

[WRB]

Can you define your tackle; rod, reel, line and presentations you have an issue with hook setting?

Tom

[papajoe222]

What makes you think it's your hook set?

Many EWG hooks have very little bite because of the relation of the hook point to the line tie. They hook and hold great when the line tie is outside the fish's mouth and the hook point isn't, but their weak spot is when the hook is completely in the fish's mouth.

Give a round bend worm hook or a straight shank one a try and see if things don't improve.

[BrianMDTX]

When I first started using EWG’s, I almost gave up on them as I missed more bass than I did with round offsets. I stuck with them as they are much better when rigging bigger baits like a Fat IKA or Neko Macho. 

 

I don't know what I did, but I must have changed something as my hook-up to bite percentage on EWG’s is close to 100%. And that’s on rigs as diverse as a Falcon Lowrider All ‘Round Fast MH/F baitcasting rod to a St Croix Bass-X ML/F spinning rod. If I had to guess, I think I stopped setting the hook as fast as I used to and give the bass an extra second to really take the bait. 

 

And that has not resulted in gut-hooking bass. 

[CurtS26]

Reel up before setting the hook.  make sure your hooks are sharp,  Sharpen or replace with new hooks before each outing,  use braid to a fluro leader instead of mono ( less stretch).  Dont skimp on hooks. Gamakatzu are great hooks. Superline Ewgs for heavy cover litewire hooks for carolina rig and open water senko. Apply these tactics and you should see better hook up percentages. My 2 cents

[Buzzbaiter]

42 minutes ago, WRB said:

Can you define your tackle; rod, reel, line and presentations you have an issue with hook setting?

Tom

Today it was a Medium-Fast action spinning rod with 25lb braid mainline to a 6 foot long 8lb mono leader. The hook I was using was a standard Gamakatsu EWG, but I also use Eagle Claw heavy wire EWG hooks and experience the same issues. I use this setup for Texas rigging weightless stickbaits

[jimmyjoe]

7 minutes ago, Buzzbaiter said:

it was a Medium-Fast action spinning rod

 

   M/F covers a whole lot of territory in spinning gear. Many spinning rods are more forgiving (have a softer tip) than casting rods rated M/F. You might want to, as they say, "swing for the fences."      jj

[Catt]

Watch @A-Jay videos on working to stay lean!

 

Ain't no whimpy hooksets allowed in my boat!

 

I don't care what tackle you're using set hook with authority, not necessarily rod snapping but complete control over the fish.

[Bankc]

You could try to snell the hook.  Just make sure they have a welded or epoxied eye, because if there's a gap at the bottom of the eye, it can cut the line.  Just feed the line through the top of the hook and then tie it to the shank.  That way, when you set the hook, it'll force the hook upward a bit into the fish's mouth.  

 

I don't do this myself, as it makes it harder to rig plastics on the hook, but some others do. 

[the reel ess]

I was horrible at setting a hook with spinning gear. It just feels foreign to me and the leverage does not feel nearly as good to me as a MH BC combo of similar action. I got a lot better when I started using braid and premium brand (Gamakatsu) hooks. I resisted braid for a long time, but finally gave in on spinning gear first. Also, if you're not using premium hooks get a hook sharpener. It will help a lot. 

[Buzzbaiter]

11 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Many EWG hooks have very little bite because of the relation of the hook point to the line tie. They hook and hold great when the line tie is outside the fish's mouth and the hook point isn't, but their weak spot is when the hook is completely in the fish's mouth.

I think you might be right. Now that I think about it, almost all of the fish I land on stickbaits rigged with EWG hooks are hooked close to the lip with the line tie sticking out. I might try flipping hooks or worm hooks

 

[lo n slo]

try an offset shank instead 

[A-Jay]

11 hours ago, Buzzbaiter said:

Today, I lost a decent sized fish because of a bad hookset. He was on for about 3 seconds before he popped loose. This isn’t the first time that this has happened. My hooksets just aren’t consistently strong enough to drive an EWG, even if it’s a light wire. Is there a way to fix my hookset or is it something that will get better over time?

 

10 hours ago, Buzzbaiter said:

Today it was a Medium-Fast action spinning rod with 25lb braid mainline to a 6 foot long 8lb mono leader. The hook I was using was a standard Gamakatsu EWG, but I also use Eagle Claw heavy wire EWG hooks and experience the same issues. I use this setup for Texas rigging weightless stickbaits

 

In my world, hookets can only be 'as powerful' as the weakest aspect of my gear.

As you have described them above, IMO, you have at least one concern and perhaps even two.

First, an 8 lb mono leader might be a little light to over come the 'bite power' of most plus size bass, brown or green.  The tell tale sign of this is when we have one 'on' for a few seconds, but once the fish realizes something is a miss, they just 'let go'. 

Used to happen to me with tubes All The Time !  #hateit

Second, and this varies wildly depending on brand/manufacturer,

a Medium spinner could be a little on the light side.

Matching your gear to your terminal tackle is always a solid plan.

Finally, if you have a desire to find out what your gear is capable of, perhaps 'test' it's limits in a controlled environment.

Secure your leader to something solid at home (preferably outside), step off enough line to equal what would be an average cast for you, obviously don't snap your rod but lean on that tackle a little; see what it can do.  You may be surprised one way of the other.

Clearly this can never exactly simulate a live fishing scenario, bit it may offer a bit of an idea on what direction you may need to go, if any, as it relates to addressing your problem. 

Good Luck

Fish Hard

A-Jay

 

 

 

[NHBull]

Hard to add to the above but I was in a similar situation with the Fat Ika a few years ago.  Spinning set up with 4/0 EWG......I went to a Shaunessey (sp) bend and it was fixed.....also used the EWG on a baitcaster and it was fixed.

Moral of my story,,,,, match rod, line and hook better.

 

PS, use offset ewg's when you need ewg 

 

 

[Bird]

Let the fish completely swallow the bait, 100% effective.......Just kidding. 

 

Great advice above as I often simulate a fight when purchasing new equipment to get a feel for rod flex and drag set.

Sharpen those hooks and check your drag.

[J._Bricker]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

Watch @A-Jay videos on working to stay lean!

 

First thing that popped into my mind @Catt ?

In all seriousness @Buzzbaiter, make sure your hooks are as sharp as possible. A good hook file can save you money in the long run versus always replacing dull hooks.

[NoShoes]

Heavier rod might help. Whatever hook set you give won’t be lost in rod flex. 

[WRB]

16 hours ago, Buzzbaiter said:

Today it was a Medium-Fast action spinning rod with 25lb braid mainline to a 6 foot long 8lb mono leader. The hook I was using was a standard Gamakatsu EWG, but I also use Eagle Claw heavy wire EWG hooks and experience the same issues. I use this setup for Texas rigging weightless stickbaits

Your tackle is suited for wacky rigged stick baits using Owner weedless jungle wacky hook size 1. This hook goes through cover easily and sets with a normal firm hook setting.

As everyone has noted large diameter soft plastics with heavy wire hooks is nearly impossible T-rigged using your tackle without exposing the hook point.

Give the wacky rig with Owner hook, it works great, or nose hook it if that is your preference.

Tom

[Deephaven]

Medium action spinning is not a setup I'd ever throw an EWG on.  In particular if you happen to have the flipping variety.  Light rod and line mean thin diameter hook.  

[E-rude dude]

Hook sets are over rated. Proper gear and setup are much more important. I’ve gone back to worm hooks for everything except tubes.

Snelling the hook correctly greatly improves hook up ratio. 
 

 

[soflabasser]

Sharp hooks are much more important than having an exaggerated hookset. 

[CrankFate]

I am loving the gamakatsu 2/0 7 3/0 EWGs, they are setting the hook into everything they touch all by themselves, including my hands, my pants, my shirt, the carpet in my car, the winn grips on my rod. Everything.  I'm with @E-rude dude @NHBull @NoShoes gear matters. I begrudgingly changed over to fishing two rods in freshwater, which I have done in saltwater for a very long time. One soft and one stiff. Or one light and one heavy, depending on how you look at it. With a rod and reel that do not match the technique, hookset problems will happen. I just got over that problem by using a stiffer rod for certain techniques. I always feel like with the right setup, the fish are practically setting the hooks on themselves. I think that just comes from having used the wrong setup one too many times.

[Rich12]

What Catt said.  Set the hook hard as you can.  If you lure comes back to the boat with no fish, you should at least have it's upper lip on the hook.

 

[PressuredFishing]

On 6/21/2021 at 6:54 PM, Buzzbaiter said:

Today, I lost a decent sized fish because of a bad hookset. He was on for about 3 seconds before he popped loose. This isn’t the first time that this has happened. My hooksets just aren’t consistently strong enough to drive an EWG, even if it’s a light wire. Is there a way to fix my hookset or is it something that will get better over time?

if its a medical issue, like you are not strong enough, fear not! try baits with smaller lighter wire hooks on spinning reels. try hooks like mosquito hooks on dropshots, you can set the hook really lightly, or just reel into the fish. you can also fish exposed hooks if there isnt alot of grass like a jighead and lean into the fish. you an also try a lower stretch line and heavier rod if you need to fish thicker hooks or denser cover. this will help you drive the hook into the mouth of the fish easier! hope this helps, but the key is lighter wire, often exposed hooks. if not that then heavier equipment to aid you.

[detroit1]

On 6/23/2021 at 8:04 PM, Rich12 said:

What Catt said.  Set the hook hard as you can.  If you lure comes back to the boat with no fish, you should at least have it's upper lip on the hook.

 

Or your own.