Hook facing sideways to the worm, NOT the same direction!
Hmm, that helps!

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If you were indeed using circle hooks you do not set the hook in the classic way. Just start reeling and the hook does the work.

if you can find the original prerigged little creme worms, that will catch whatever is messing with you. Another one is the little rebel humpback floater. hard to find though.

Use this. Cut the wire guard off.
Cut a finishing nail in half and stick it in the head of a zoom finesse worm.
Feel a tick or see the line move set the hook in self defense

Hook sets are free. As mentioned let your hands feel the tick and watch your line too.

Thanks for the tips dudezzzzzzzzz.

I appreciate it/them! IN65

Addendum: I also need to practice on casting "under cover and between hanging cover."

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Smaller hook could help more than the "type" of hook.

I went pond fishing again the other day, and landed more fish, but again, I lost a handful as well.

I realize I need to get some of the shorter, fat, round hooks for my "wacky rig."

When do you cats use the Kahle style hooks, or any other hooks with different names that still look like Kahle hooks?

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Kahle, live bait or cut bait. Stationary fishing with multiple poles.

One of my rigs using braid as the leader material. 50# test.

get some of these in 1/0 and 1/8 ounce and put whatever plastic you want on it.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Flashy_Swimmer_with_CPS_2pk/descpage-OFSCP.html

I’ve seen those in many of your caught fish photos, imma getting some

Probably had a turtle biting your line...

I learned how to set the hook by crappie fishing with my great aunt as a kid...it's just something you learn to feel when is the right time.

Again back to discussing setting the hook in general, I hear people say the hookset should be straight up in order to hook the fish in the top of the mouth. To me that makes no sense whatsoever. How do you know which direction the point of the hook is facing in the fish's mouth? If it's pointing downward is pulling the rod straight up going to turn it over 180 degrees?

Worm hooks stay in a position to where the barb points up with the bait being close to the bottom. With bank fishing, you'll be pulling it horizontal. From a boat, more vertical.

Hard baits having the hooks on the botton. It all depends on which angle the fish bites.


Yanking straight up? More like back force is applied. Allowing the fish to set itself.

I use these for my wacky rigs as well. I found these to be far more productive due to allowing the bait to fall more natural.

As for the hook set...it all depends on the bait / presentation / hook style.

1) Remember your adversary...these are not 100lb tuna. I'm not one of those gents who needs to snap the neck of fish when I set the hook. I've seen more lost fish due to line breakage when setting the hook like you're attempting to jack the fish out of the water into the boat on one swing.
2) For finesse (including c-rig) it's more of a sweeping hook set than a pop upwards hookset. Sweep parallel to the water and allow the rod to load and the hook to drive home.
3) For treble hooked baits the fish hooks themselves most of the time, so a quick sweep into the parabolic bend of the rod sets the hook.
4) Single hooked baits (t-rig, swimbaits, jigs, etc) these get a firm swift pop upwards with the rod starting level to the water and sweeping upwards to load the rod and hook penetration.

I've seen folks to jump to get leverage. I've seen folks step back like they're preparing to swing a homerun, I've seen folks calmly feel the bite, reel down, and set the hook. Most of the time, the calm demeaner has won.