I have been losing too many fish on cranks lately and wondering what I can do to help solve the problem. All my gear is right and I belive my hookset is correct (quickly reel with a slight pull when line goes slack). I've heard of people switching hooks and other modifications but don't know how much they actually work.

Any help is much appreciated.

change the speed, size, depth or color.

I've never "set the hook" with a crankbait. The fish sets the hook for you. You could very well be ripping the hooks out with your hook set

I don't really set the hook when I crank. I always use a fast retrieve with pauses throughout. When your rod loads up, keep reeling, keep your line tight, and keep the fish down.

Are you losing them at the surface or under water?

Check your hooks first and foremost. I lost a few crankbait fish recently and realized a couple of my hooks weren't as sharp as they used to be. Once I started giving them razor sharp hooks the fish quit coming off. I don't really do much of a hookset with a crankbait, either.

Sharp hooks are mandatory for getting them in the boat. I put good pressure on them with a sweeping action. You would be amazed how little force is actually applied to hook penetration with a med action rod and 40-60 ft of 12# line out.

Speed up your retrieve.

Can't help much unless I know what gear you have from hooks and back to reel...thanks

+1 w Epic, sharp hooks and a sweeping continuation of your retrieve will set the hook. You can land 3 fish in succession and all 3 will have varying amounts of the 2 treble hooks in their mouth, sometimes it's just bad luck.

I won't say its none of the above but most lost fish on cranks are caused by the fish being able to unload the rod and getting slack in the line. All my crank rods are matched to the lures I have on the other end most medium action or lighter so there is lots of bow in the rod when under the full load of a fish on the other end so there is no way for slack to get in the line. Another thing I do with cranks; especially lipless cranks, is as soon as I connect I start putting the rod in the water and if they try to come to the surface I will run the rod all the way down to the reel if I have to. I keep them under the surface until they are completely tired out. Doing these things I almost never lost fish even when they are barely hooked on the rear hook........

Check out some VANDAM VIDEOS. lots of good advice

To me - here is the key: " medium action or lighter rod so there is lots of bow in the rod when under the full load of a fish on the other end so there is no way for slack to get in the line." Also, a lot harder to rip hooks loose when fighting.

Just my $.02

A good set of quality hooks makes a big difference.

Thanks everyone. It seems like I need better hooks and I am setting the hook too much compared to everyone else, that's just how I saw it watching tournaments and videos.

As for what I'm using when it happens most

- Strike King 2.5 square bill with the factory hooks
- BPS fluorocarbon 14lb. Test
- St.Croix Mojo Bass crankbait rod
- Abu Garcia Revo SX 6.4:1