Northwest Fishing Reports

Now before you laugh me out of these forums, I know most people have missed a fair share of hook sets. Whether it be from not paying attention, a dull hook, too soft of hook set, whatever. I have missed a few which I kick myself in the keester for, but nothing I can do about that but try to keep from making the same mistake again.

My question is this. When you miss a hook set what tactic has proven to be most effective in getting back on the fish and recovering. For instance I was fishing Fivemile lake today and was jigging around a dock. Not expecting much to happen I started bringing my line back up slowly...suddenly the line felt very heavy and started moving under the dock. I gave a little pull just to make sure whatever had it wasn't letting go and then gave a good sharp yank. To my surprise nothing exciting happened, no fight, just a tug in the opposite direction as the line continued under the dock. So I set the hook again, only this time the jig popped loose of whatever had it and I came up empty.

I would assume...once a hook set is missed the fish is obviously spooked and would take off. I could also be wrong...the fish may look around wondering what the hell just happened to lunch and want it back. Being excited about the possibility of a nice fatty lurking at that location, I decided to keep trying with the same jig with no results. I also tried a smaller more subtle five inch texas rigged hellgie...also with no results. Tried changing my angle of presentation as well, with no results. This leads me to believe the fish said "Screw you!" and left.

Have any of you had any luck recovering from a missed hook set with another tactic...or do you just give up on that spot and move out? Thanks!


Chad

Chad, you did everything right after the fish missed. Smaller lures, different lures, slower lures (though not much is slower than a jig to begin with), and different angles. He might have felt the sting and went off to mope about it. Stuff happens.

BUT, I used to try that second hookset years ago and lost plenty of fish including a couple trophies doing so. During that second hookset, you gave the fish just enough slack to get unbuttoned. Even if you are not sure the set was secure, keep the pressure on with your rod as often that will force the hook deeper into its mouth. Then be very careful when you go to reach over and lip him because any mistake here will cause him to pop off. I can't tell you how many fish, I've landed and the hook just fell off, but I was still able to bring him to my hand.

Thanks for the tips!

I can just about bet that is what happened. Once I tried the second hook set, the slack line was just enough for the jig to be spit out. I have been going through a dry spell lately, I guess I got a little excited.

I am going back out tomorrow...so I will see if the fish are still around.


Chad

I hate following cavdad cause the guys a stud fisherman, but here goes...I agree with everything he said, however, I'm a little more hard headed (I think). When I lose one, I think to myself "was it a nibble and run or a true hook set and release". If I had him and then lost him he's probably said "screw you" and left...BUT the good news is, he liked it once he'll probably like it again in a new area. I would suggest fishing the 40' on either side of the original hook set, you may find him sitting there waiting for another meal. It's worked for me....not sure I'd write an article about it though.

Good luck...good question.

Ive noticed that the bass at five mile under the public dock get spooked really easy. So many people are always on and around that area during the year, and tons of "crap" is always flying around there. If it was a bass best thing to do is wait a few days and go during the assumed bite time. Seems like they have been right on time lately not to say you cant catch them at other times of the day. Just that right now it helps to have everything you can helping you. Steel lake also has a lunker under it but that lake closes on the 31st.

There is also some tree stump or branches of some kind under the upper left corner (if you are standing at the beginning of the dock looking out) Ive lost a few jigs under there thinking it was a bass cause you can pull them up a little but not all the way out of the water.

Anyway like I said those bass aren't very aggressive at anytime of the year just because of all the activity around them. But Ive caught a few from 2-4lbs not bad. Just give it time.

bassackwards wrote:When I lose one, I think to myself "was it a nibble and run or a true hook set and release".

That thought had crossed my mind...usually the "nibble and run" has been just a quick hit, or a tick. With the way my luck has been running, the only way I am going to know for sure if I got a nibble or a real bite, is if the fish jumps out of the water, removes the hook themselves and slaps me with it! :-D

bassackwards wrote:not sure I'd write an article about it though.

What's the matter? Getting tired of my long winded explanations?

iPodrodder wrote:...leave the bait in the water for a long time, motionless.

++

I do have to work on getting better at that.


Chad

danielt wrote:There is also some tree stump or branches of some kind under the upper left corner (if you are standing at the beginning of the dock looking out) Ive lost a few jigs under there thinking it was a bass cause you can pull them up a little but not all the way out of the water.

Yeah, there is something there...I lost a jig dragging it through there yesterday. That's the corner I was working today. Instead of dragging from the shore out, I was jigging in the corner vertically. I then worked my jig and a mini spinnerbait along the short run of the dock from north to south.

danielt wrote:Ive noticed that the bass at five mile under the public dock get spooked really easy.

I figured as much...I think at least it will give me some practical hands on with dropping my baits in nice and quiet.


Chad

There is a good drop off over at the edge of the big pad field to the right of the park you can also try to work baits along that area (when the pads are grown).

Otherwise yea that lake isn't the best for shore angling.

Do you come up from graham or are you always in the area?

leahcim_dahc wrote:

bassackwards wrote:When I lose one, I think to myself "was it a nibble and run or a true hook set and release".

That thought had crossed my mind...usually the "nibble and run" has been just a quick hit, or a tick. With the way my luck has been running, the only way I am going to know for sure if I got a nibble or a real bite, is if the fish jumps out of the water, removes the hook themselves and slaps me with it! :-D

bassackwards wrote:not sure I'd write an article about it though.

What's the matter? Getting tired of my long winded explanations?

iPodrodder wrote:...leave the bait in the water for a long time, motionless.

++

I do have to work on getting better at that.


Chad

Chad...sorry bro. That came out wrong. I meant ME writing any articles about it, cause I'm not so sure my tactics are any good. They've worked for me and hopefully they help you as well.

I'm kinda diggin was "daniel" and ":dj:" said.

Stick with what YOUR gut is telling you. At the end of the day it'll always pay off with big fish

Sorry again for the misunderstanding :thumright

bassackwards-

My fault, no need to apologize...I have a tendency to ramble on and on at times. Just thought it was a subtle hint...no harm no foul! Sorry I misunderstood you. :-)

With regards to your tactics...if they've worked, they're good. Or at least that's how I see it. Either way...I like to hear about other peoples methods...gives me new things to learn and try out.


danielt-

I was checking out those lily pads yesterday...a couple times I thought about packing my gear over there and dragging some bait around there. Fivemile isn't ideal for shore fishing...but it's a new spot for me to check out.

I was fishing mostly in Ohop, Kapowsin, and Tanwax. Most of the lakes in Pierce county I want to fish are either being drained, full of algae, or are closing this month...so I have been looking elsewhere. From what I understand Fivemile is open year-round...plus it's ten minutes from work, so it's kind of convenient. I haven't fished any of the ponds or lakes in King County yet (other than fivemile)...so I figure I'll find the one's that are open throughout the year with somewhat decent shoreline...and get my line wet.


Thank-you everyone for the tips!
Chad

Yea just wondering cause its kinda far from Graham. Bradley lake is a small pond but does hold bass up to 6lbs. Its year round and is a shore fishing lake. Located off Meridian in South Hill. You can walk around the whole lake and fish small pads and a tiny floating dock.

I stopped by there a couple months or so ago to check it out. Didn't do any fishing though. I didn't realize it was open year-round...guess I need to read my regs more often.

I'll be sure to check it out.

I don't mind having to drive to fish...I like to get out and about and see what's out there.


Chad

I like throwing the exact same bait back in the exact same spot after a missed hook set. They sometimes get spooked, but sometimes they just sit there waiting for the same food to drop back in front of their face. Plus, they're pretty territorial fish, so they won't always want to leave their favorite food-catching hiding spot.

Case in point: Last summer I was fishing Lake Roesiger and cruised right over the top of a big bass sitting on top of a log. We killed the trolling motor and I casted a white spinner bait right by his mouth at least 6 times before he decided to take it. This summer we went back to the exact same log and found what we assumed to be the same fish (a little more grown up since last summer) sitting on top of it. My buddy casted a texas-rigged plastic craw onto the log several times. He hooked the bass three different times with the same lure, and it broke off all three times. While he was re-rigging after each break-off I threw 4 different baits at him, and he didn't even bite mine once.

Moral of the story is that they are territorial and also picky eaters, so I like to cast the same thing right back in the same spot. That's the way I like to handle missed hook-ups anyways....

danielt wrote:Yea just wondering cause its kinda far from Graham. Bradley lake is a small pond but does hold bass up to 6lbs. Its year round and is a shore fishing lake. Located off Meridian in South Hill. You can walk around the whole lake and fish small pads and a tiny floating dock.

Stopped by there this morning...that dock is really tiny!! Not much of a bite there...tried a jig at the dock, and worked the lily pads south of the dock with a shakey head hellgie. Didn't get any bites...but was just goofing off waiting for a friend to show up. Walked around the lake and found a nice bassy looking spot with some submerged brush under a few overhanging trees. Didn't fish that area for long...one bite and lost it because I broke the line when I set the hook. Too bad...I'll go back in the morning and see what I can drag out. Thanks for the heads up!


Chad