Hooksets on Yum Money Minnow

[BrianinMD]

Got something that is bugging me. I was fishing a Yum Money Minnow yesterday around some laydowns. Had two good strikes and lost both fish, one was big which is why this is bugging me. So wondering what the experts think about hooking up better.

Is it best to set the hook with a sideways hookset, or straight up? Once the strike happens to you give them a second to take it in deeper?

[Pitchinkid]

What size and what kind of hook were you using?

[BrianinMD]

4/0 swimbait hook. not sure what brand of the top of my head

[Triton21]

4/0 swimbait hook. not sure what brand of the top of my head

I use 7/0 and have had no problems with hook-set.

Kelley

[J Francho]

I'd think you'd also want to know what size Money Minnow he was using as well.    Get some of these in 8/0 for 6" baits.  A 4/0 would work on a 3-4" bait.

[BrianinMD]

They are 3.5 inches long...

btw, first time I got a chance to use them, was impressed with their action.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

If you are fishing in more open water, try sliding a treble hook onto the shaft of your single hook.  You can use a keeper on the single hook, much like adding a trailer to a buzzbait/spinnerbait.

Around the laydowns and other cover, swing up with the rod using a single hook.  If you can stand it, pause when you feel the initial hit.  Personally, I can't do it but it sounds good in theory.    ;D

[J Francho]

I have a heck of a time waiting, too.  Owner is selling pre rigged treble stingers, but you can make your own.

A couple of other tips: pre rig them before you go out fishing.  I like the hook to be perfectly centered.  Smear the belly cavity and hook shank with Megastrike.  I think it helps the plastic slide out of the way for easier penetration.  You can use the pre weighted hooks, but I find I always have to adjust the weight with lead strips.

Good luck!

[BrianinMD]

Thanks to all for the tips, got to love this site. Can't tell you how much better my setups are, so excited about this season.

Anyway, ordered some larger hooks, was the perfect excuse to make a small order. Got some yo-zuri hybrid (10lb) have to confess had mono on the one BC reel while I learned it, and got a TT 4in swimbait......

[Okieracer]

This is the fun part of fishing this bait for me at least.  When they hit it I wait.  Sometimes a good 3 seconds.  When you feel them hit watch your line...reel in the slack til you feel them and set the hook.  I haven't had a fish spit the bait out yet.  I actually waited once to see how long she would hold on and I counted to ten before it drove me crazy.  Thats with no scent.  Just be patient.  Dont jerk on the initial strike of the bait.  Let them get it in their mouth because they may have just grabbed the tail end and haven't gulped it down yet.  

[fatbass]

Seen on Jimmy Houston Outdoors how he likes to just nose hook his Money Minnows like you would a live shiner, when cover allows.

[J Francho]

Seen on Jimmy Houston Outdoors how he likes to just nose hook his Money Minnows like you would a live shiner, when cover allows.

I'll have to check this out myself.  My suspicion is that the bait will "roll" and not fish properly.  I could be wrong... :-?

[mattm]

I agree with J Francho about the nose hook thing, but who knows.

Your hook size was probably fine.  What I have found is you really have to drill the fish with this type bait.  Also I've had fish hit the bait 3 times before I set the hook.  They rarely get it good the first time.  Don't set on the bump, but set when you first feel your rod begin to load.  Hookups will improve.

[Randall]

Even though its not necessary to cast the bait, I still use a eight foot swimbait rod and heavy line.  It helps to drive the hook through all that plastic when needed.  I also use the largest hook possible with the longest shank that allows the bait to swim. The long shank puts the tip of the hook farther back in the bait where it has a higher hookup ratio. I make my own weighted hooks out of Owner oversize hooks since I don't like any of the swimbait hooks on the market. I set with a hard sweep to the side since it moves more line.

[hjerk24]

Some of you talk about placing a treble hook as a trailer for the bait. How many of you do this? Red hook? feather? Just getting into this as well. I threw my minnow today on a 5/0 Owner Twistlok 1/8th oz. Other than casting it into a tree, it went well. A local pond on the way home with barely any good casting areas. Throwing it on 14lb. Berkely Vanish Fleuro and a 6'6 Medium heavy rod.  Swam nicely, when it wasn't trying to sit in the Robins nest in the tree.

Peace.