Hookset when Flippin very short distance

[steezy]

Ive found a nice little honey spot in a waterfall where almost everyday at least a couple of nice 3-4 #'ders are waiting. Ive caught one 4 times in the past month but Ive missed the hookset or lost one in that spot at least 20 times. They like the 5" senkos on the bottom and the dropshot rig 8" deep. I only have 4-5 feet of line off from the tip of the rod so its a very short pull to set the hook and they way they bite makes more difficult cause they gently take the bait and swim away slowly. Since Im fishing into the waterfall and water is pouring over the line I cant feel much until the line is pulled tight as they try to swim away with the bait, sometimes almost feels like its hung on a rock. During one hookset I pulled the fish completely out of the water and almost hit myself with it. Ive tried soft and hard hooksets but Im missing/loosing a lot of fish.

Any suggestions.

[Under the Radar]

Steezy,

Since it's difficult for you to feel the bite, try a wacky rig with a circle hook. No hookset needed, and when they swim off, the hookup should be in the corner of the mouth.

Good luck.

[J Francho]

Take a trick out of the trout fisherman's book, and fish a float 'n worm in there.  Float down, set hook.

[steezy]

Take a trick out of the trout fisherman's book, and fish a float 'n worm in there. Float down, set hook.

Thats a good idea, if I cant feel the bite at least I can see it.

[DINK WHISPERER]

I always set the hook just like i would while casting(just a bit softer). I use braid so it doesn't take much when the fish only a few feet feet out.

[scootz]

Take a trick out of the trout fisherman's book, and fish a float 'n worm in there. Float down, set hook.

do that alot here in WNC due to the falls around here when trout fishing. Never thought about doing it for bass for some reason though

[cart7t]

Sounds like you're fishing in a Koi pond in somebody's backyard.   ;D

[Tin]

Sounds like you're fishing in a Koi pond in somebody's backyard. ;D

x2 I don't see a whole lot of fun in it.  :

[J Francho]

Golf course water hazard....I guess it counts, but can't see any of it translating to a reservoir or natural lake.

[steezy]

Sounds like you're fishing in a Koi pond in somebody's backyard. ;D

x2 I don't see a whole lot of fun in it. :

fishing is fishing, whether its at a big 20 sq mile lake or a 5 acre pond next to a golf course. A lot of the same techniques apply. The waterfall Im talking about is a 10ft high 25ft wide man made waterfall with a ledge at the bottom that has a 1ft space that goes back under the falls. I used to cast a spinner in front if the waterfall and catch decent 1-2# bass but one day I accidently cast into the water and pulled out a 4#'der.

If thats not fun I dont know what is!

I discovered they like senkos and shad plastics the best.

Best part is that its only 1 block from my house so I can fish everyday.

(I also fish at the big local lakes but its a lot more trouble than walking 1 block and the fish are not any better at the lake)

[J Francho]

No, the expression is a bass is a bass is a bass, where ever its from,  and even that isn't true.  While many techniques work where you are fishing, most usually address and solve a particular problem when fishing in a larger body of water.  You will never encounter these problems, and learn what terminal rigs and baits attempt to address those issues, by simply fishing this one pond.  

In a sense, you are limiting your ability to progress.

Now, that doesn't mean that it isn't fishing, and that may even be OK to you, but keep in the back of your mind that your experience is going to limited to that singular water, and may not be relevant when relaying advice.

I fish a lot small ponds, and each is unique, and many hold some truly large fish.  It is a very enjoyable part of my fishing, but that is only one small aspect of my fishing experience.

[Dan:]

Sounds like you're fishing in a Koi pond in somebody's backyard. ;D

x2 I don't see a whole lot of fun in it. :

fishing is fishing, whether its at a big 20 sq mile lake or a 5 acre pond next to a golf course. A lot of the same techniques apply. The waterfall Im talking about is a 10ft high 25ft wide man made waterfall with a ledge at the bottom that has a 1ft space that goes back under the falls. I used to cast a spinner in front if the waterfall and catch decent 1-2# bass but one day I accidently cast into the water and pulled out a 4#'der.

If thats not fun I dont know what is!

I discovered they like senkos and shad plastics the best.

Best part is that its only 1 block from my house so I can fish everyday.

(I also fish at the big local lakes but its a lot more trouble than walking 1 block and the fish are not any better at the lake)

And that's cool, but I think some guys would get bored of it and rather fish lakes that have more types of places to fish, more room for the bass to move, and more to "figure out."

[steezy]

And that's cool, but I think some guys would get bored of it and rather fish lakes that have more types of places to fish, more room for the bass to move, and more to "figure out."

I see your point.

I guess I get spoiled cause Im the only one that fishes my neighborhood water so theres usually something new to discover.

I do enjoy going to the big lakes to fish and always find it rewarding and more challenging.

[L a r r y]

Sounds like you're fishing in a Koi pond in somebody's backyard. ;D

x2 I don't see a whole lot of fun in it. :

fishing is fishing, whether its at a big 20 sq mile lake or a 5 acre pond next to a golf course. A lot of the same techniques apply. The waterfall Im talking about is a 10ft high 25ft wide man made waterfall with a ledge at the bottom that has a 1ft space that goes back under the falls. I used to cast a spinner in front if the waterfall and catch decent 1-2# bass but one day I accidently cast into the water and pulled out a 4#'der.

If thats not fun I dont know what is!

I discovered they like senkos and shad plastics the best.

Best part is that its only 1 block from my house so I can fish everyday.

(I also fish at the big local lakes but its a lot more trouble than walking 1 block and the fish are not any better at the lake)

Care to share this little honey hole?   :PI wouldn't mind doing some catch and release

[steezy]

Looks like we have another Frisco fisherman.

Welcome to the forum.

PM sent!