Missed Fish

[PondBoss]

I was out early the other morning throwing a Zoom Horny Toad, and Bass were destroying it. Only problem was I didn't catch a single one I was using 50lb braid with a 5/0 Gamakatsu Superline hook, throwing it on a 7' MH Rod. I would get a hit (explosion) count to three let the line swim away and set the hook, every time the bait came sailing back. I know a couple of the bites I missed were my fault because of my excitement after a huge strike. But what gives? Am I using to firm a rod (this MH feels more like a stiff H) or is it the lack of stretch in the braid? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance

PondBoss

[clayton86]

I think your timming is still off like said in a past post not to long ago if u don't see the frog yank. I use the rage shad religiously and soon as I see the xplosion I swing for the fences I went over 20 bass missed 3 with a 7MH and 50pp

[LWD]

Hi pondboss, don't know whether it's the lack of stretch etc... but my suggestion is sometimes it takes longer than 3 seconds. Let the fish swim around with the bait longer until you feel it hooked with certainty. Any sooner you may just be pulling the bait out of the fish's mouth.

LWD

[IL2MI_basser]

My brother-in-law and I were fishing frogs on the 4th of July. I caught 5 and lost 4, he caught 1 and lost 6 or 7. My advice to him was to set the hook straight up not to the side or at an angle. It works for me more often than not. Also helps to get the fish's head up out of the weeds. And like you I use 7" MH with 40 lb braid.

[Jigfishn10]

Don't count to three so fast...LOL

With reaction type baits, I generally, for the most part, wait until I feel the rod load up before I set the hook. They should hook themselves if you're getting that viscious of a strkie. So wait until you feel the weight of the fish before you set the hook. No need to swing for the fences either, a good tug and that fish is buttoned. Hope this helps...

[Hyrule Bass]

probably waiting too long to set the hook. as soon as it dissappears i set the hook on a frog/toad and have had good success since i started doing it that way. i figure it already takes a second or two to react and go through the hookset motion. if im counting to three thats probably like 5 seconds and the fish will have plenty of time to spit the bait. try setting the hook as soon as you see your bait dissappear without counting to 3

[1234567]

I use zoom horny toads alot. Like others have said, I always wait until I feel the weight of the fish before I set. I also set swinging straight up when fishing the horny toad. I use an extra heavy rod with 50#pp. I've had fish take the toad and have had them hold onto it for more than 10 seconds before setting. They will hold onto the zoom horny toad for awhile, they are very salty, but they smell horrible.

[PondBoss]

Thanks for all the replies, I guess I'll wait a lil longer before setting the hook next time I'm out. I let the rod load up on the last fish I missed, it had me d**n near doubled over for a couple of seconds before the bait came flying mach 5 at my face. lol

[Robert Riley]

I have a similar question. I usually fish buzzbaits late at night, and im missing strikes! I usually set the hook immediately after the strike, and i lose the fish then. But when i wait a few seconds to set the hook, i usually end up losing the fish as im reeling it in. And I am 99% sure it's not me reeling it in, i keep good tension on the line when i reel. I just get frustrated with myself when i lose a fish! So close, but no cigar you know?

[Bluebasser86]

Thanks for all the replies, I guess I'll wait a lil longer before setting the hook next time I'm out. I let the rod load up on the last fish I missed, it had me d**n near doubled over for a couple of seconds before the bait came flying mach 5 at my face. lol

Wait until you feel the weight but don't wait too long. If you wait too long they can get the bait balled up in their mouth and you'll just set the hook back into the bait. Feel the weight and set straight up. It really shouldn't take a 3 count, just a second or two to feel the weight and set the hook. If you're fishing heavy cover they may be burying back into it too deep and you can't get a hard enough hookset to penetrate the fisheds mouth so it just pops out. If you're making long casts a little longer rod probably wouldn't hurt either.

I have a similar question. I usually fish buzzbaits late at night, and im missing strikes! I usually set the hook immediately after the strike, and i lose the fish then. But when i wait a few seconds to set the hook, i usually end up losing the fish as im reeling it in. And I am 99% sure it's not me reeling it in, i keep good tension on the line when i reel. I just get frustrated with myself when i lose a fish! So close, but no cigar you know?

Make sure you feel the weight of the fish. It's hard to do at night because you hear the explosion and want to set the hook. I usually speed up when I hear it and as soon as I feel weight I set the hook. Doing it that way if the fish missed the sudden change in speed will get them to come back sometimes also. I description of your tackle would help. I like a 6' 6" or 7' M or M/H and high speed reel with copoly, fluoro, or mono. I don't like braid for buzzbaits because I feel like I pull the bait away from the fish. Make sure the hook is sharp too, sometimes they need touched up straight out of the package.

[Robert Riley]

I use a 6'6 MH baitcast set up with 65pp. I want to say my reel is a 6.3? It's the purple bps one. I dont think its the hooks, bc i've caught myself with them, and they are not dull!

[dhami013]

I have a similar question. I usually fish buzzbaits late at night, and im missing strikes! I usually set the hook immediately after the strike, and i lose the fish then. But when i wait a few seconds to set the hook, i usually end up losing the fish as im reeling it in. And I am 99% sure it's not me reeling it in, i keep good tension on the line when i reel. I just get frustrated with myself when i lose a fish! So close, but no cigar you know?

Trailer hook. I've just started putting them on my spinners and buzz baits and my hook up ratio has gone up.

[Robert Riley]

Trailer hook. I've just started putting them on my spinners and buzz baits and my hook up ratio has gone up.

Excellent idea. So simple and that will probably solve my problem. No harm in trying either!

[Jigfishn10]

I use a 6'6 MH baitcast set up with 65pp. I want to say my reel is a 6.3? It's the purple bps one. I dont think its the hooks, bc i've caught myself with them, and they are not dull!

IMHO, with topwater or any type of reaction strike type lure, for that matter, you want flex in the rod, line or both. I prefer both. The flex will allow the fish to take the lure down without much resistance. It will load the rod up, giving you enough time to set the hook without, or at least minimizing the result of the fish spitting out the hook or missing it alltogether.

[Nashua Nev]

Trailer hook. I've just started putting them on my spinners and buzz baits and my hook up ratio has gone up.

i started adding a treble trailer hook on my spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. using a small piece of clear rubber tube to hold it on. grabs weeds but also grabs more fish.

i put a real small piece of real soft clear rubber tube over the eye of the treble hook then take take and put the spinnerbait hook through the tube then eye and out the other side of the tube helps keep it straight and wont come off