Hooksets

[iPodrodder]

OK, this is driving me crazy. Every time I go to set a hook on a texas rigged plastic lizard or grub, the hook nearly always pops free. I have tried nearly everthing. A light jerk, a trout hookset, and in the middle. I have even tweaked my rig so that the hook point is sticking way outside the plastic, but all this is good for is getting snagged. I have let the fish have it for one second, a three count, and sometimes up to twenty seconds (seriously). I have watched 10 to 12 inch largemouths close up (yes, they looked bigger, but I know about the refraction effect) take my bait, and just hold it in their mouths for fifteen seconds. They finally swim toward the weeds, and I try to set the hook, and the bait pops out. Please help! What am I doing wrong?

[dilbert]

Dull hooks? If the fish is swimming away and you lift the rod up and over your shouldershould be getting a good set in the top of his mouth. I usually poke my hook through and then back it down a little so just the point is sticking out. Also, make sure you are using the right size hook for your plastics.

[bpm2000]

what kind of hook are you using?

[ral]

I have been having some of the problem you describe, but I think I have resolved it. I tried waiting to let the fish take the lure fully into his mouth and I kept missing hookups. Now when I fell a strike, I set the hook as I do when flyfishing for trout - just by raising the rod tip. I use very sharp light wire 2/0 hooks and I am not missing many hookups now. Maybe your line has too much stretch, I am fishing 10 pound braid with a fluoro leader and there is no stretch, the hook sets quickly.

[Bigbass Dez]

Here is a lil tip that i do if im missing stricks .. I extend the hook closer to the tail and end of the bait .. remember you can decide where that barb comes out of your plastics .. when im t-riggn or c-riggn i do this all the time due to the excess leader =(lesser hook set power) ... and trust me it doesnt much of a difference if your hook comes through the middle or the end of your plastic when you t-riggn or c-riggn .. this will only increase you hook ups .. also something else i would suggest is after you lower your rod and make your first hook set "burn your reel handle " till you feel the fish and then set the hook again .. happy hooking.. BBD

[tnj8222]

yup what dez said.

[bpm2000]

try using a light guage wire hook like ral said too. They pratically hook themselves half the time on the sharp gammie EWGs.

[Proverb]

Dez what does it mean to burn your reel handle?

[Bigbass Dez]

Dez what does it mean to burn your reel handle?

that simply means to reeling really fast! ...

[Proverb]

Thanks I wasn't sure if it was some technique or what you just said.. lol.

[T Dot]

OK, this is driving me crazy. Every time I go to set a hook on a texas rigged plastic lizard or grub, the hook nearly always pops free. I have tried nearly everthing. A light jerk, a trout hookset, and in the middle. I have even tweaked my rig so that the hook point is sticking way outside the plastic, but all this is good for is getting snagged. I have let the fish have it for one second, a three count, and sometimes up to twenty seconds (seriously). I have watched 10 to 12 inch largemouths close up (yes, they looked bigger, but I know about the refraction effect) take my bait, and just hold it in their mouths for fifteen seconds. They finally swim toward the weeds, and I try to set the hook, and the bait pops out. Please help! What am I doing wrong?

you never mentioned the line or the hooks in use.



mono stretches, and cheap hooks are cheap for a reason.

thanks

[quickfish12]

I agree, I use Owner, or gamakatsu hooks. Also wide gap hooks are a plus. For almost any baits I use a wide gap hook. Also sharpen every hook that you use and check the tip often.

[kzoo]

I was having the same problems in the past, it turned out to be the hook. I switched to Gamakatsu wide gap. Also what kind of rod are you using, a graphite rod with fast action tip is definetely must when plastic fishing, you can loose more fish on the hookset with slower rod tips.

[Bigbass Dez]

I was having the same problems in the past, it turned out to be the hook. I switched to Gamakatsu wide gap. Also what kind of rod are you using, a graphite rod with fast action tip is definetely must when plastic fishing, you can loose more fish on the hookset with slower rod tips.

Your right on the money with those hooks and a fast tip rod , iv been fishing with them for so long that i forgot all about that .. good call KZOO .....(IM TELLING YA US MIDWESTERN GUYS KNOW BASS )..BBD

[kzoo]

Right on Dez, Good to hear from a fellow Michigander. The locals here are pretty tough too.

[tnj8222]

good points! what kind of rod are you usin ipod?

[ChrisB]

Easiest tip to give you is, when you are texas rigging, use quality hooks, and use whats called a Tex-posed hook. Put the point of the hook all the way through the bait, and then skin hook it. =