I am having issues with missing bites on a Texas rig. Every time i go to the local pond i get solid bites so i know they are not bluegill nibbles & i can only seam to set the hook and land a bass once out of every 5-10 bites. Any pointers to what I'm doing wrong would be appreciated.

I am open to criticism, let me have it. anything to turn all these bites I'm getting into catches.

what I'm using
bait: Zoom Speed Craw 3-�"
hook: 1/0 light wire ewg (gamakatsu/mustad)
weight: 3/16 ounce tungsten bullet weight
line: 12lb flouro (seaguar red label)
Rod: 7' medium heavy, fast action

Upsize your hook to a 3/0 or 4/0 EWG. Thin wire is fine for pond bass on 12lb test
The speed Craw is in that in between thickness, where a 1/0 won�t have a big enough gap to get a consistently good hookset (plastic balling between the hook point and shank)

How much parabolic bend does that rod have? My first thought is get a rod w/ more backbone

Use a 3/0 Owner rigging hook or a 3/0 Owner J hook and Tx.pose the hook. I would also try a baby brush hog on that same rig and a weightless super fluke with a 4/0 Owner J hook. The baby brush hog and the super fluke are just optional bait suggestions because they work so well.

Fantastic tips, I tried using offset worm hooks with no increase in hook ups, the rod I have has a soft tip but only bends at the last 12 or so inches. Maybe I was going about it all wrong and an increase in hook size sounds like the golden ticket. When I miss hook sets the speed craw definitely balls up within the gap of the hook majority of the time. Thank you all for your input.

I agree on upsizing your hook a bit. Folks sometimes make the mistake of using too small of a hook because a bait is short in length like a 3 1/2" Speed Craw. I recommend you base the hook size on the diameter of the soft plastic bait and not the length.

What does the �solid bite� feel like?

For me a solid bite is a heavy thump similar to crappie but a harder pull. It's usually a double thump if that makes any sense.

More backbone than a medium heavy with 12lb line? Really? Lol

Not all rods are created equal. A cheap medium heavy probably bends like an Ugly Stick. Not everyone uses $400 rods

Makes perfect sense. A double thump means �please try to break my neck�. One turn to take up slack, both hands go straight up over your head hard enough to make you grunt. You just hooked a bass.

You must be using $30 rods if a M/H bends like an Ugly stick. I have never seen a M/H rod bend like an Ugly stick in any brand but I also don't shop at Walmart for fishing rods.
I have a bunch of good quality rods and none of them were $400.

Sometimes that second thump you feel is them spitting it out. Hookset are free, I swing on the first thump

Agree on upping hook size but the quick reel turn before you cross their eyes should also help.

Reel up until you actually feel the fish. Then set the hook. After your confidence increases just a turn or so to get rid of most slack.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Roboworm_Rebarb_Hooks/descpage-RWRBH.html

Roboworm Rebarb 3/0 for a speed craw. Everything else you have sounds about right for pond fishing. Good luck!

Overthinking on this thread. The ponds are loaded with perch beds right now and the perch are aggressive. IMHO, your equipment is fine and most of the bites you're getting ARE perch bites or this year's bass spawn (2"-3" bass), too small to hook.

Are you texposing your hook? barely skin hooking it? Ive had non boaters who burried their hook like a flipping hook way into the plastic and they would swing like on tv and miss em all.

I use 1/o hooks on speed craws and fish hook themselves. I just kinda reel into them and some times flick a wrist.

I use 1/16 tungsten wt not pegged and 15 or 20 lb line and a light nrx 852 or 853 rod. If Its real windy Ill go to a 1/8 wt, but it gets snagged in rocks 2x as often and Im usually fishing rocks or stake beds.

I agree with the last post. I think you are getting into small fish that aren't getting enough of the bait in their mouth. Try down sizing to something like a ned rig and/or the zman craws. I have this issue with a creek near my house. Its full of <1lb bass they are difficult to catch on my normal Mag 2 or Rage craws even though they will bite and move off with those.

Need the over head straight up hookset circa Jim bitter...

4/0 EWG hook on Speed Craws. That will fix the issue.

These are all fantastic tips.I'll start with going up in hook size & if that doesn't help than i will know that its small fish & i can downsize to a Ned rig or something. Thank you everyone.

Go to a 2/0

2/0 or 3/0 EWG hook and peg the weight.

I�m sure it seams crazy that something as simple as hook size could make that big of a difference in your catch rate but as mentioned over and over above^^^^^ you are using way to small of a hook for the thickness of a Speed Craw....or almost any other soft plastic for that matter. I use a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG for almost all my soft plastics. Speed Craws, 7� Power Worms, Rattlesnakes....... I use the lighter wire hook for most fishing but will use the heavier wire �Super Line� hooks for thick cover, close range flipping.... I feel the lighter wire gives me a slightly higher hook up ratio without having to �swing for the fences� every time I set the hook(though I usually do anyway). I do drop down to a 2/0 EWG for smaller plastics like C-rigging a Bubble Fry..... and go up in size to a 4/0 or 5/0 for larger/bulkier plastics like 10�-12� worms, full sized Brush Hogs..... The difference between 2/0-3/0 or 3/0-4/0....makes little difference except just as a matter of personal preference but the bottom line is you are definitely using to small of a hook for the baits. Your hooks are are not getting exposed and into the fish on your hooksets. Good luck!

Fine wire for 15lb test and smaller for me. Definitely a 3/0 for speed craw

All you guys saying his hooks too small...

I use 1/0 hooks in ultra vibe speed craws only. Fine wire vmc offset round bend. I dont think a 3/0 would even fit. My boats in the shop so I cant check.

It'll certainly fit, obviously some variations in 3/0 brands/styles

I use a 4/0 VMC heavy duty wide gap on speed craws often. I can assure you it fits.

+1 except for the Go Tech part

Most new bass fisherman I've fished with wait till the bass swallows the worm the poops it out before they set the hook.

I associate thumps with small fish and blue gill. The thump is the head shake. Small fish do this to wound the bait and often let go immediately or never really have it to begin with. Bass usually gulp a worm up. If you feel the gulp, it is more of a tick. After the tick, I am feeling for dead weight, or looking for line moving side to side. Either of these conditions mean hook set. You will catch the small fish better simply reeling in with no hookset at all.

I would think a 1/0 or 2/0 Owner rigging hook would work just fine.

This drives me crazy. I set the hook on the first tap, bump, tick, or anything else I feel.

Every day is different. Sometimes you feel movement and set the hook. If you hook up consistently ok. If not let them have it a little longer.

Have you looked at the bait after you get the bite? You can see where they are biting. If its on the tail more than likely you are getting perch hits.

don't put your hands over your head... you will have lost all power and control, not to mention its very funny looking. watch your line better for any movement or lack there of when there should be.

I use a 4/0 straight shank Owner. It fits the ultra vibe just fine

Do Don't