Hooksets: Jigs and Worms

[Laggyman]

I got my first fish on a Jig-Trailer yesterday with a 1/2 oz White football head and a 4in GYCB Grub.  Bounced and dragged it along the bottom and felt a nibble and whacked him hard  ;D  

Problem is, Once I landed him and checked where the hook went through, I was shocked to see it didn't actually punch through the mouth. It was actually only holding on to the soft tissue inside the mouth and didnt penetrate.  I must've been pretty close to losing him  

Come to think of it, many of my hooksets fail to punch the hook through the mouth. After watching LBH's video abouyt hooksets I practiced a bit and got it down. But still about half of my hooksets are just holding on to the soft tissue of the inside of the mouth and is quite easy to take the hook out.

Any suggestions for getting the hook to punch through??

I'm using an 6'3 MH rod for Jigs and T-rigs and a 6'3 ML for Finesse worming.  Both on 100% Fluro. I only use new Owner and Gamakatsu hooks and throw them out once I'm done.

I'm having problems on both. Worse with heavier tackle and bigger hooks....

[jdw174]

just my humble opinion of course, but a longer rod(7'range) should help you get that hook buried much better than the shorter version.  And that ML on your spinning rod should be at the very least a medium action if you're fishing with a buried hook point.

[Guest avid]

Two things come to mind

1. Get to gym and pump some iron   J/K

2. You may be leaving too much slack in the line when setting the hook.  try cranking down till the line is almost taut.

3. Put some "snap" into that hookset.  Use your wrists to generate rod tip speed.

4. Remember this advice is coming from someone who said 2 things came to mind.  :

[Bud]

You don't need a Bill Dance hookset to catch a fish.  Just a sharp hook and a snap of the wrist is all you need.  That cross their eyes stff is all tv.

[roadwarrior]

You don't need a Bill Dance hookset to catch a fish. Just a sharp hook and a snap of the wrist is all you need. That cross their eyes stff is all tv.

I just wanted to repeat what avid and Bud said. You really don't need any more advice.

[dodgeguy]

in addition to what these guys said i would tell you that don't think your flouro is not stretching.i have posted line stretch test results that prove flouro has as much stretch as mono.so at 50 feet you get 10 feet of stretch.this is why it's important to reel in all slack like these guys said and then it's a snap of the wrists.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Does your jig have a weedguard?

If so, try trimming it down on an angle just a bit above your hook point. This way, it remains weedless and there is less fiber preventing your hook from penetrating the maximum distance.

Wayne

[Laggyman]

I'll keep an eye on slack line next time I'm out... Even after reading all these suggestions I always overlook something  :

Thanks.

Oh the ML is used for finesse worms using 5lb Fluro and 2~4in stuff. Sometimes a 2in Senko is all the Bass will bite....

[earthworm77]

reel in all slack like these guys said and then it's a snap of the wrists.

Agreed. It doesn't hurt to blast them with power and speed either. Set the hook like you mean it.

[BASSMACHINE]

The number one thing is a sharp point. If the hook point is dull or bent it will not be as effective. Also if you can get away with it use a small diamater hook they are much easier to hammer home.

[Catt]

I read a study about the amount of pressure in foot pounds one exerts on the hook set. It was something like 12 to 18 foot pounds, rod length, and physical size of the person made little difference. Technique was what determined deepest hook penetration; with rod tip speed by using a quick snap of the wrists being #1.

[Millerman]

I think that when it is in the skin of their mouth, it is a matter of the angle they take it or how aggressively they bite more than a factor how hard of hookset, line stretch or hook sharpness.  I use 30lb fireline (zero stretch) and set the hook like a mofo and hook the fish in the skin of the mouth quite often. Keep trying and get some "reps under your belt". I usually find that if I skin hook one, they will all be skin hooked that day.

[Laggyman]

Less aggressive = Skin hooked??

Maybe I should give the wrist snap a try and see if it suites me better.  I guess it all depends on the equipment and preferance...  

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I agree with the slack line.  IMO that's the single most effective thing to a good hook set.  You can swing for the fences, but if you have slack line it's not going to do much.

[Millerman]

skin hook=less agressive? I never said this this? I had to reread my post to check--yup, didn't say that.  I only said that when one is skin hooked, it seems there are a lot that are. I really don't know why it is? If they are "sucking it in" more or what?  I am very concious of my hook sharpness, I set the hook very hard with no stretch line and reel in as much slack as I can.  When they are skin hooked, it is in the top of their mouth, down deep.  The hook can't go "up" into the top of their mouth beacaus of the angle (the eye of the hook is still in thier mouth). Maybe I am setting the hook too quick, before they try to spit it? this is what how I am understanding your first post. I don't read it ias the hook didn't penetrate (therefoe sharpness, line stretch and hook set power are factors)?

[Laggyman]

Ok. Gotcha thanks.  I'll be practicing my Jigs a lot next year though. Hope I'll get better at this  8-)

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

You should probably use a longer rod.

[justfishin]

Sharp hooks, and don't be bashful on the hookset. I don't fool around on my hooksets. I get a ribbing some time because of it but, when I set the hook, I set the hook. Lay out 25yrds of fishing line and tie it to someting. Then get back and pull on it. Feel that stretch? You have to compensate for that. You also mentioned that you might be waiting too long? What are you waiting for? My one buddy does that--- there he is, there he is, he winds up a little, there he is, then sets the hook. It makes me crazy. I will say this and probably take a beating for it. When I feel anything unusual, a tick, bump, mushy feeling, weightless feeling or anything out of the ordinary than what I think I should be feeling I set the hook, like RIGHT NOW !!!! The only time I give it a split second is when I am using big 12" or 15" worms. Other than that I quick draw them, period. Good luck.

P.S.-You said you use a no stretch line? Please tell me its not braid. Listen to Ol' Uncle Jim, throw that stuff in the trash can------Look out !!!! Incoming!!!!!!

[Laggyman]

I'm using 100% Fluro which should be enough to keep the line stretch equation out.  I really need to get bit more often to practice my hooksets... lol

[vtbassin]

I searched for the data that dodgeguy posted about line stretch and could not find it but I did fine this with google  http://www.shallowwaterangler.com/features/line_stretch_test/

It looks like everything stretches but braid.  So I guess I would recomend you reel up the slack and set that hook like you mean it

[Fishingelbow]

VT, could this be the line stretch test you're looking for?

http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/estretch.htm

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