Fighting Big Fish

[WRB]

Getting a good hook set with a jig doesn't always require a hard rod set, it can be very similar to the swimbait hook set; reel and sweep. However you must react instantly or sooner.

LMB engulf a jig, then crunch down on it to kill what appears to be a crawdad to the bass. The crunchers are located in the back of the roof of the mouth. The bass vacums in the jig and the jigs hook needs to be larger enough and sharp enough the penetrate the basses soft mouth tissues when it crunches down, thereby hooking itself for a moment. If the bass detects something wrong, it blows the jig back out so fast you don't know you were bit, unless the jig hangs up into the mouth tissue. If the jigs trailer folds over the hook piont or if the weed gaurd prevents the hook point from contacting  tissue, your chances of a good hook set are very low if you try to rod set. However if you reel set, you pull the jig into the mouth tissue and start the hook point to penetrate, the rod sweep puts more pressure on the tight line, pulling the sharp hook passed the barb, then the bass is hooked well. 2 to 3 cranks on the reel handle equals about 40 to 60 inches of line movement and you can't do that with rod setting, unless the rod is pionted down at the bass to start with. Rods set work well for vertical flipping and pitching on a short line, because you are close to the bass, but if you cast the jig 30 feeet or more, reel set and keep the rod low when working the jig.

WRB

PS; smallmouth and spots will peck at the jig to declaw it, so let them load up before hooksetting.

[Castamasta]

alright thanks for the advice. reel n sweep got it

[Vitor Isaia]

Basically keep the line tensioned...