When to set the hook when fishing minnows.

[Big_Bass_Rock]

Fished with minnows today and yesterday for the first time. Yesterday we dangled them under the bobber and it was pretty self explanatory when to set the hook. Didn't miss any solid bites.

Today I tried fishing them on a drop shot rig and only hooked 2. Got several more bites. Tried hooking them both through the lips and through the back.

My question is how long do I let the fish run before setting the hook? The two that I hooked I opened up the bail until it stopped pulling line then set the hook. But then on all the others I tried doing that I got nothing. Tried setting it right after it bit. Still nothing.

I also get two different types of bites. One was where it started swimming off in one direction and took line if I opened the bail, the other was a solid tap tap tap. Similar to the bite when fishing a nightcrawler or plastic worm, but much harder. Could that type of bite had been catfish?

[roadwarrior]

With live bait, I ONLY fish Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks.

4/0 for striper, #6 for smallmouth bass. If you fish circle

hooks you don't set the hook, you apply pressure. Hook-ups

and landing will improve dramatically and you will rarely

(never) have gut hooks.

8-)

[Big_Bass_Rock]

Ok thanks. What size for largemouth, the same as stripers?

Do you apply the pressure as soon as you feel the fish biting and do you hook minnows through the mouth or the back?

[roadwarrior]

4/0 for bass and striper.

When you get bit, extend your arms and lower your rod tip

so the fish is given a short run before lifting the rod. Firmly

raise the rod tip and reel quickly. Never let a fish stage,

it should be pulling drag or coming your way.

8-)

[powerman970]

I also use circle hooks for live bait.  I use a 2/0 for most applications and I hook large shiners through the mouth.  Just remember, DO NOT set the hook when fishing with circle hooks or you will usually haul air.  Like was already stated, just a firm pressure and that fish will be hooked in the corner of the mouth nearly every time.

[D4u2s0t]

don't forget with live bait many other fish besides bass will bite.  it's very possible some blue gills or perch were nibbling the bait, but were too small to swallow the hook.  

[Matt Fly]

Bass don't have hands, when you feel them, its in there mouth most of the time.  

Drop shot rig, are you lipping the minnow, or hooking in the back, or throught the bottom eye socket.

[Big_Bass_Rock]

I tried hooking them both through the lips and the back.

[crw]

Old school, South Georgia.  In the early to mid 70's, all I fished was 4-6 inch shiners in farm ponds, or small lakes with bank access.  This was pre-Circle Hooks.  Hook the shiner through the lips (3-5/0), use a bobber that will stay up whebn the shiner is active, use split shot 1 foot from the hook to keep the shiner down.   When the bobber starts moving, get ready, reel in the excess line, when the boober is gone and you feel the fish, set the hook.  In the spring you can catch some monsters.  If memory serves, with J hooks, the was about a 50 % hook up.

Cat fishing (now) with bream as bait, with 8/0 Circle hooks, I get about 80 % hook ups with flatheads/blues and maybe 40 % on gar.  

[Fat-G]

Bass don't have hands, when you feel them, its in there mouth most of the time.

Drop shot rig, are you lipping the minnow, or hooking in the back, or throught the bottom eye socket.

Hahahah never thought of it that way!