Horrible ratio (kinda long)

[Thatcher]

I went fishing for about 2 hours today. I was hitting up laydown and found a really great spot. I hooked up with 6 bass in about 15 minutes. I was real syked I actually put everything together I have learned and was able to locate bass, but I could not actually land a bass today. I was fishing a watermelon candy 5" Yum dinger T-rigged.  This is actually a normal occurance with me. I land maybe 50% of fish I hook up with and if I exclude crankbaits I am maybe landing 20%. I know to set the hook hard. I usually hold my rod horizontal to my waist, pick up the slack, and set the hook (w/ plastics). All my hooks are sharp so that isn't the problem. Any little thing you can think of would be great. Thanks alot guys, in advance.

[senile1]

What is the action on your rod?  If it is a lighter action you may not have enough backbone to set the hook properly.  You need to be using a medium-heavy to heavy rod for t-rigged worms and I prefer a fast tip. From your description, it sounds like when you feel the fish you're taking up the slack before setting the hook which is good.  I assume, from your post, that you are hooking them and then losing them while you are reeling them in.  Another possibility is you're setting the hook so hard that you're ripping a bigger hole in the bass's mouth, thus giving the hook more room to work loose.  

[cpvenom]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1152380907

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1152318247

recent posts of same type of subject. hope that helps

[roadwarrior]

Well, that's ridiculous.

Medium power/ fast action rod

Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks

Dip you rod as you QUICKLY reel up slack

Snap-set, hook-set

90%+ hook-up ratio.

[FatBoy]

I'm with RW.  I fish a lot of plastic worms on a medium power spinning rig and I don't have that trouble with hook sets.  Are you sure the fish has the bait before you set?  When you feel that tick-tick don't get to anxious.  When you feel that, just  be patient and wait a second (or several seconds).  When the fish really takes the bait you'll see the line move or you'll feel a real pressure on the line.  That's when you reel up the slack and set the hook.  Also, I'll sometimes give a second jerk if I think I didn't get him good with the first one.  You have to be careful though to not rip it out of his mouth.  

If you're losing the fish during the fight, that's another story.  There's been several threads the past couple days with lots of great tips for keeping the fish on the hook once you've em.  

[roadwarrior]

I don't like that "double hook-set". Your initial hook-set should penetrate the fish. As she fights, the hook will  dig deeper. A second jerk tends to dislodge the hook or increase the size of the hole if it is in soft tissue. Either way, that's not good. Be confident, you already have the fish hooked up.

[FatBoy]

  Quote

I don't like that "double hook-set". Your initial hook-set should penetrate the fish. As she fights, the hook will  dig deeper. A second jerk tends to dislodge the hook or increase the size of the hole if it is in soft tissue. Either way, that's not good. Be confident, you already have the fish hooked up.

I knew somebody would take exception to the second hook-set   and I almost deleted that sentence.  I think I do it because of my lack of confidence.  And I should add that the second jerk is not like the first hook-set.  It's not a snap, but a good hard pull.  Either way, RW is right.  If I did it right the first time I wouldn't need that second one.  

[cravenfish]

RW is close, change from Gamakatsu to Owner( heavier ), and switch to a braided line. FatBoy wasn't as close, if you wait for your line to start swimming off you wont catch 30% of the fish that you feel. I rather set the hook and miss a fish than wait and see if my line starts to swim off. A quick hookset will help land more fish.

[FatBoy]

Well, cravenfish has a point.  To be honest I don't often have to wait until I see the line move (although sometimes I do see the line move without feeling anything).  I'm having a hard time describing exactly what it feels like.  But my main point is that I don't think it's wise to set the hook as soon as you feel that tick-tick.  I think at that point the fish is just checking the bait out.  If you set the hook right then, you'll just pull the bait out from in front of the bass's face.  When the fish really takes the worm (or whatever) I feel a definite pressure or a more solid thump.  That's when I set the hook.  

[Thatcher]

I am using a medium fast rod. I was using gammy 4/0 wide gap worm hooks. and my line is berkley vanish 12lb test. I'll be going out again today and I'll try all the tips and get back to you guys on my progress. THanks guys.

[x-trued]

Okay, I'll be the one to post the trite groaner:

The first tap you feel is the fish picking up the worm.

The second tap you feel is the fish blowing it back out.

The third tap you feel is your buddy tapping you on the shoulder saying "hey, I think you just lost that fish".

[cravenfish]

X-TRUED, Your post is so true. It made me laugh ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D