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.