Need some advice.

[32251]

Getting back into bass fishing after about a 30 year layoff!

There is a small lake in my neighborhood--about 25-30 years old. Some nice fish have been caught out of it.  Here is my problem.  I am casting LONG distances from the bank, plastics,, 6lb test with a 1/2oz weight on the end and a hook maybe 6-10 inches above that--basically a drop shot rig with a good heavy weight to get me some leverage for casting.  Virtually all my fish have been caught either as the worm is on the way down or right after it bottoms, so I have this LONG length of line out.  I find that trying to set the hook with this much line out is getting poor hook sets.  If I wait until after I feel the fish hit and give him some time then I am getting gut/gullet hooks.  I have started to bend the barb down so as to make gut/gullet hooks easier to remove, but that can make for some misses also.

Any advice would be appreciated as to different techniques,hooks,plastic etc.

[Shad_Master]

Wondering what size hooks you are using -- if you're getting lots of gut hooks, it might be because you are using too small of a hook - I would try at least a 4/0.

[senile1]

I was also wondering if you are using mono.  I'd use copolymer, fluorocarbon, or braid with a fluoro leader to see if there are any improvements.  On a very long cast with plastics, the stretch of monofilament could cause you to miss some hook sets.

[roadwarrior]

Buy premium 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks. I fish Gamakatsu and X-Point, some of our other members swear by Owner. Use a "snap-set" for your hook-set. (Lower the rod tip as you reel down QUICKLY. When you feel the fish, snap your wrists to raise the tip of the rod without moving the position of the reel relative to your body). This will consistantly drive the hook home.

BTW,

Welcome aboard!

[senile1]

Oh yeah, I didn't see your post count.  Welcome to the forums.  

[mattm]

Welcome to the forums.  I would almost bet that your line is the problem.  Try using braided line with or without a fluro leader.  IMO, since your fishing a small pond I wouldn't worry about the leader.  Also I would say that since the fish are hitting the bait on the fall or just after that any texas rigging(weighted or unweighted) would work just as well as the dropshot.

[32251]

Thank you guys so much for the advice.  

Yes I am using a smaller 1/0 weedless hook. I will try the 4/0 size.

The line will be next.  I just changed out for some simple mono 6lb.  It cast great and I need the distance to get out in deeper water.  Lake is about 5 or 6 acres, so it is much more than just a pond.  I don't have access to a boat and frankly I have been getting decent action just bombing long and deep with the 1/2oz drop shot.  I have also used 1/2oz bullett weight Texas rig.  It gets too nasty with debris. The drop shot lets all the debris get on the end weight and the worm  just above it stays clean.  I know the drop shot is designed for deeper water from a boat, but from the bank it seems to keep the worm from taking on all the trash and present a better target.  The difference in the angle from the bank keeps the worm closer to the bottom though. If you want the worm say 6" off the bottom then you really need to rig it higher than 6" from the weight.

Any suggestions for worm colors?? Lake is not pristene clear at all. Plenty of dark lake green color.

[moby bass]

Maybe try flipping your bail closed just as the bait hits the water. That way any additional fall of the bait won't pull out more line but only take up the slack of what's already out there.  I do this on buzz baits, that way I'm ready to start reeling as soon as the buzzbait hits the water. It doesn't sink, so I don't have to reel like crazy to get it back to the surface. Line is nice and tight when it hits the water.

[surfer]

I agree with the majority.  Hook size and braid.  A 10 lb braid will cast farther than 6 lb mono in my experience.  The braid won't stretch like mono when you set the hook so it will drive the hook deeper with the same setting motion of the rod.