Started getting into pitching/flipping and been using sweet beavers based off online reviews and recommendations. My problem is I’m probably 50% or worse on actually hooking the fish with these. They are pretty hard. I feel like I’m setting the hook hard and have almost been hit in the face on missed hook sets. When I miss the fish, I’ll see them, they end up spitting It on a jump, and then I’ll find that the hook is like a cm through the bait.

If I switch to something softer like a brush hog bait I have no problems.

Anyone else run into this?

Do you texpose the hook?

I'd suggest using a straight shank flipping hook and a heavy action rod ( not medium heavy) and make sure you really lean into the hookset and completely load up the rod when you set the hook.

Expose the hook and barely bury the point. I catch a ton of fish on the beavers

4/0 Trokar Flipping hook. The good news, you won't miss any fish because of the hook. The bad, one bait per fish.

Lots of men have lost it all due to sweet beavers, please be careful

gotta use a stiffer rod when dealing with a tough beaver! be forceful. set the hook like you mean it. rip the lips off!

My setup is a dobyns Sierra heavy pitching rod and 20lb invisx and vmc flipping hook.
What I’ve been doing is barely poking the hook tip through.

Maybe I’m not loading up good enough before the set. I do know twice yesterday I tried to reel down real quick to load up and missed the bite before I even was able to set It.

That ain't NO lie....

I wish I had used braid. I’m scared to snap the fc.

You won’t snap that fluoro!

I know it’s strong enough. I’ve just heard of people snapping It on the hook set I guess due to whipping It if that makes sense.

Stiff rod and braid, if you’re flipping, the braid won’t make a difference in the number of bites. Pitching might be a different story in clear water, still need a stiff rod. If you’re in thick grass, you’ll almost always lose a few due to the grass resistance.

That's usually due to poorly tied knots, and nicks in the line. Run your hand from the knot up the line a few inches after every few casts. When the line feels rough, retie.

Use a straight shank flipping hook