User error vs gear issue?

[Crow Horse]

Mentioned earlier, hook sharpness is often overlooked or not sharpened enough. Admittedly, I have this obsession with hook sharpening. New hooks are not sharp enough. I use a turret style hook sharpener that creates a "shovel edge" on the inside of the hook point which makes it want to dig in with almost no pressure and cutting edges on each side of the hook. I fish barbless so getting a good hookset with extremely sharp hooks is critical.

[WRB]

I used 10 & 12 lb mono to over 300 DD bass setting hooks over 90’ away from me. Mono is too stretchy everyone thinks total BS! How you perform your hook set must move the hook point into the basses mouth tissue. It doesn’t matter if you 65 lb  braid or 20 lb FC with jig 30’ away, a rod set alone rarely move the jig hook point unless the slack line is tight.

The technique I developed decades ago was a fast reeling to tighten the line and feel the bass then a firm rod sweep to penetrate the hook through the basses mouth work for me.

Tom

[PressuredFishing]

On 7/12/2021 at 1:51 PM, carrageenan said:

I’m new to baitcasting and  over the weekend I missed a few quality fish when they jumped. The biggest took the jig/craw on the fall so I’m not sure I had enough sack before the set. I probably didn’t drop the rod when she jumped, but I was worked up so I can’t remember. I’m still learning so I have 14# mono on the spool, so I’m wondering if the stretch is dampening the hook set. Other than that, the hook probably needs a light sharpening. Hoping to hear what guidance you guys have for me, thanks.

Fishing jigs and Texas rigs on mono is doable and I do it to this day, you MUST remember though, swing for the fences. I mean as hard as you can, and crank the drag down tight. This is because these baits have thick hooks and you have to push them through thick plastic or a heavy weed guard. On the other side, if your fishing treble hook baits lightly set the hook or just reel into them, because they are sticky and will catch.

[carrageenan]

Been a year since OP, and while I have been focusing more on ultralight lately, I can say without a doubt you guys were all correct. I most definitely was not setting hard enough! I spend most of my time swinging lures for stripers and trout, so I'm used to the fish doing most of the work for me. I was also fly fishing a lot when I posted this, which is an entirely different set. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the helpful insight! 

[Fallser]

On 7/12/2021 at 6:13 PM, carrageenan said:

Thanks a lot for your detailed responses. When I said gear, I was referring to the mono, and hook thickness/sharpening. Baitcasters are new to me, I’m usually utilizing a fly rod. 

I usually use a fly rod.  I've had that problem, mainly with the fly rod.  Problem with the fly rod and I normally strip set the hook is, especially if the fish jumps immediately after taking the fly.  There's always slack in the fly line.  You have to tighten up the line as quick is possible so you can control the fish, not have the fish control you.  I've loss less jumping fish when I'm fishing jigs or lures.  There's a better "connection" between line and jig/lure, less slack.  You just have to get the fish under control as quickly as possible.  All my flies are barbless, so are my lures.  I haven't gotten around de-barbing my jigs unless I'm tying flies on them.  Barbless hooks add another dimension to fighting fish.