Problem w/ Plastic Hook-up Ratio

[SnowBass23]

Hi all.  

I'm having a problem that I'm sure you all could help me with.  I have always done pretty well with soft plastics.  However, I have had an issue that tonight just brought itself to a head.

I was fishing a straight senko (actually a tiki worm I think) with a tex-posed hook and 1/8 sinker.  I caught 2 LMB, one being a dink, the other was a couple lbs.  But, I had probably a dozen bites.  I'm sure several of the bites may have come from bream or too-small bass because of the super rapid tap-tap-tap.

Anyway, I'd feel the tap tap and try to reel/yank back to set the hoo kand I'd come up with a balled up worm.  The line is some cajun line I got from a friend, on a mismatched baitcasting reel (I also got from a friend) matched on a super cheap zebco rod, that I think I bought as a Zebco 33 for $12 new at wally.  The rod is maybe 6 feet at most, and bends pretty easily.  

I have always had this problem with plastics, which is why I always tex-pose when my friends rig straight up texas style and catch many more.  I have a severe paranoia that I won't get the point through the plastic.

So, any thoughts where I'm going wrong?  I still catch a LOT (considering my "issues" : ) but if there is more I can do then I want your feedback!

I've also heard guys talking a lot about using specific worm rods.  Is that just BPS trying to sell me more junk, or is there a legitimate reason to use a "worm rod" and if so what is it and why?

Thanks again folks!

[MattStrykul]

You should definetly invest in a new rod. Setting the hook with a noodle of a rod really doesn't get the job done. You don't even need a very expensive rod, but a good, medium heavy rod should do. Make sure it has some back bone to it.

Matt Strykul

[FR0G]

I would say your rod is your main problem. Are your hooks sharp?

[NinjaFishin]

I'd say you could be over thinking it abit.  Many fish will just tug and nip are your bait just to get a feel for what it is, without committing to a real gulp.  You always have to account for how much plastic is exposed beyond your hook that they may be grabbing ahold of.  Try shortening the lengths if you can.  Also I'd reccomend wide gap hooks as well.  Should help abit.  

but remember, you cant hook all the bites you get.  Many many many fish will just grab a piece and spit it out just as fast.  You cant get em all!

[Catt]

Go back to Wally world & buy you a 6' 6 medium heavy Berkeley Lighting Rod, fish it a few times then come back and tell us how well you did.

[skillet]

Two things: I always skin hook my baits (like you) and what Catt said X2...

                                 As Ever,

                                  skillet

BTW seriously didn't plan the rhyming

                                   

[SnowBass23]

Thanks for the input everybody.  I almost always use EWG hooks in either 4/0 or 5/0 sizes.  I have tried a couple of other styles occasionally.  When I do leave the point in the bait, I push it through to the point (no pun intended) that I can just barely rub my finger over the outside without the barb catching.

I'll check into what you guys all mentioned.  Thanks again.

[grimlin]

Go back to Wally world & buy you a 6' 6 medium heavy Berkeley Lighting Rod, fish it a few times then come back and tell us how well you did.

X2 i agree with catt..you need a stiffer rod.The guys you talked to were probably right.They were trying to sell you a stiffer rod to get a better hook set.However you don't need to spend a buttload of money.Berkley lightening rod 6'6" medium heavy action will do you perfect.i started with the same type before i for big into spending more money on my so called hobby(fishing).

That rod you are using now is a panfish/crappie rod.If i have the same one it's meant to be used a a bobber type fishing.

[.dsaavedra.]

definitley get a stiffer rod. like others said, lightning rod is a great choice.

[Catt]

It's all about personal preferences; I'm Ole School so I never skin hook; watch me set hook y'all know why  

[SnowBass23]

I want to look into the heavier rods like you all have mentioned.  As a temp fix when we went out to fish sunset tonight I did my soft plastics on another rod I have, a 6'6" one piece deal with a baitcasting reel.  i don't know if it is specefically a heavy rod but there is very little flex in it.  Very stout.  Anyway, I still kind of skin hooked my senko, stopping right before the point comes out the back.  I still had several bites that didn't get set, but again that could just be picky fish.  

The most important thing tonight though is for my wife.  She has done very well using spinnerbaits and likes them for the simplicity.  Since I'm no KVD I have no idea how to consistently catch fish on a spinner and just manage to occasionally get the ambush bass on it.

The 2nd time we had the boat out she caught a 6 1/2 lb.  So she is ahead of me in size  : .  Anyway, after throwing a spinner all night last night without a nibble, I convinced her to try an icky worm (the same style of senko as me).  After a while of kinda-sorta lift-drop-reel and a steady reeling action she nailed a small one.  After that the bite was on and she had several get half way to the boat and then get off.  So it was nice seeing her get into something a little different and being able to get many many more bites.

Thanks again for all the help!

[Crestliner2008]

Have you ever considered that the rapid "tap..tap..tap.." you are experiencing is NOT a bass? Take my word for it, gills love to chew and chomp on senko tails. A bass will tap once....maybe twice...more than likely, it'll just swim off with it. Bass don't just sit there and chomp repeatedly.

Fishing some small local ponds, I often use a 6' light action spinning rod, 6# test mono and a 4" Senko on a small Gama EWG, size 2, worm hook. Deadly combo, on which I've caught a lot of LM over the years. Never needed a heavy action rod, even around brush. Just keep tension and the bass will work their way out for you. I even crush down the barbs on my hooks to make extraction easier on the fish. Yes, I've lost bass, but never with the hook still in them  .  Most of the fun is in the catching, as all my fish are released anyway.

[roadwarrior]

1. To fish soft plastics requires a rod with a firm tip.

2. Sharp hooks are mandatory. Save money on something else, but buy the best hooks. I fish Gamakatsu and XPoint, others highly recommend Owner, too. For most soft plastics, I fish a 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hook.

3. The most consistant hook-set is a "snap-set". When you detect a bite lower your rod tip while reeling down quickly. When you have retrieved the slack, snap your wrists to forcefully raise the rod tip to 11 or 12 o'clock without moving the position of your

hands relative to your body.

Good luck!

8-)

[fishfordollars]

You need to upgrade your tackle. Get a rod with a medium heavy action and you will be able to drive the hook through the worm.

[basspimple]

just sounds like you need a longer rod. if your gettin short strikes, do whats called the whoop snap. you drop the rod about 8-12 in, to give your line a little slack. then whip it back. your setting the hook on slack line, might work out better for you if your using line with a lot memory.