Imediate hook set?

[Syfer420]

Ive cought large and small fish waiting and letting the fish take the bait than setting the hook. Ive also caught fish settng the hook imediatly. Having lost fish using both methods, what does everyone prefer?

[NEBassMan]

that greatly depends on the type of fishing you're doing.  

for soft plastics on a texas rig, i'm setting that hook as soon as i feel a tap.  almost always results in a securely hooked fish.

for fishing cranks, i don't set the hook real hard, but when i feel it load up, i give a steady pull back on the rod to help bury the hooks into the fishes mouth

when topwater fishing, always always let the fish take the bait down.  when you feel weight on the rod, set the hook good with a nice sweeping hard hook-set.

Jason

[Marty]

Talking about soft plastics, I set the hook when I think I have a hit, which is usually indicated by the line moving off to the side. I feel that bass normally engulf the bait, so setting the hook soon is not too early.

I believe that when letting the fish run with the bait, two bad things can happen: 1) the bait is taken deep or 2) the bait is spit out. Thus, my rationale for early hooksets.

[Catt]

Texas Rig & Jig-N-Craw: If at any time you feel a noticeable tap, tug, line tighten, heaviness, or see line movement. Without hesitation drop the rod reel the slack and set the hook

Cranks, Spinner Baits: Just kinda quick snap

Top Water & Buzz Baits: Have to feel the weight of the fish

[Gatorbassman]

The only time I wait to set the hook other than topwater is when fishing a worm longer than 10". But I don't wait longer than a three count.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

Only time i wait is when using poppers, spooks, weedless frogs, and such.

For buzzbaits i set the hook right away, same with cranks, spinnerbaits, and mostly everything else.

[Randall]

Fish ain't got no hands so I am guessin the worm is in his mouth. If he can't get it all in his mouth he ain't worth catching. ;D

[Pa Angler]

On topwater I wait until I feel the fish, on soft plastics I wait until I feel the fish or see my line move before setting the hook everything else right of way.

Chow

[Bud]

   Texas Rig & Jig-N-Craw: If at any time you feel a noticeable tap, tug, line tighten, heaviness, or see line movement. Without hesitation drop the rod reel the slack and set the hook

Cranks, Spinner Baits: Just kinda quick snap

Top Water & Buzz Baits: Have to feel the weight of the fish    

Right on

[New 2 Bass]

I had to learn to wait on topwater hits.  That huge splash would always get me.  Now I wait to feel the bass.

Soft plastics...I go samurai the slightest inkling of a taker.

[justfishin]

Hey Junior member. I am afraid that coming from a old dog to a new dog that the hook setting comes with experiance. Understanding what you feel on your rod comes with time on the water. I will say this, I do give it a slight second longer when I am using a big worm like a 12-15" that I use frequently or say a buzzbait or topwater,  but, other than that, 99% of the time when I feel that famous-tick,mushy feeling or anything out of the ordinary I set the hook,period. It does not  cost a dime to set that hook so don't give them time to spit it. Set that hook son,lol.

[BD]

Swings are free. I set quick.

[Papa_Tom]

I agree with most of the thinking here on hard and soft hook set timing.  My first thoughts were of soft baits, tho'.  40+ years ago we were taught to "push the button'" (Zebco 33) and let 'em run.  No wonder worm fishing had such a high mortality rate back then.  Thankfully, we've progressed light years since.  Having said that, I try to hit them as quick as I possibly can except for two cases, one of which has been mentioned a couple of times.....1) large worms and 2) HARD strikes.  I usually deadstick and wait for him to come back and pick it up after the stun.   Try this http://www.mwbt.com/the_old_fisherman.htm for a good read on worm size and jigs, also.

[skeeter944]

i set the hook on soft plastics when i feel that the bass has taken the bait,but i do set pretty quick.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I go samurai the slightest inkling of a taker.

Thats hilarious, I love that saying!!!

[New 2 Bass]

I picture Jim Belushi when I do.

[jdw174]

The only time I wait a little is when I'm fishing a topwater.  With soft plastics/jigs if you even wait to say OH SON or THERE HE IS, most times you'll lose.

[Siebert Outdoors]

never understood the waiting.  What are you waiting for a fish to bite ;D

Feel bite = set hook

Except top water.

[Guest avid]

Put me in the set the hook right away column.

There are two exceptions that come to mind

1.  Sometimes the fish are tentative.  Your seeing the line move but when you reel down and set the hook, nobody's home.  In that case I'll wait till i see the bass moving off with the worm then set the hook.

2.  If I'm daydreaming a little and the strike takes me by surprise, I've taught myself over the years to drop my rod tip and make sure he's got it rather than reflexivly jerk the rod.  

[Catt]

Reflexivly

Glad we aint playing Scrabble cause I'd have to challenge

Y'all ever have a bass just knock the snot out of your worm nearly taking the rod out of your hand and when you set hook nothing.

Then you reel up nothing but a piece of worm and your hook left?

[Cigarlover 1]

Reflexivly

Y'all ever have a bass just knock the snot out of your worm nearly taking the rod out of your hand and when you set hook nothing.

Then you reel up nothing but a piece of worm and your hook left?

Yes. My stomach drops every time. You know it's a good fish and before you know it, it's gone.

I"m in the quick hook set category. I don't like to give em to much time to spit out the bait.

[Michael H]

The only lure i dont set the hook imediatley for is top waters.

[jomatty]

with most soft plastics i set immediately but with senkos and fat ikas i make an exception.  i find i get better hooksets if i reel down, let the rod start to load and then let him have it.  not a big difference and rarely rarely results in a gut hooked fish but i find i do better with this than an immediate snap set.  the time that i think it is most important to be quick is with jigs.

matt

[Guest avid]

characterized by habitual and unthinking behavior

- re·flex·ive·ly adverb

Sheesh, a guy leaves out one stinkin little letter on a 4 syllable word and gets pilloried for it (challenge?). Sorry, I'll try to type s-l-o-w-e-r for the English majors and the illiterates.

Naaa, on second thought I think I'll just ignore it.

Avid has spoken

[Catt]

Some times my fingers type faster than my brain  :-/