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Setting the Hook
#4874849
05/18/10 07:57 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 292
Steven H
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 292 |
I have fished with several different people over the past couple weeks and noticed all of them set the hook at a different time when TX rigging soft plastics. Just curious if yall set the hook during the first few taps, pause after the taps a few seconds, or wait to feel tention or see line movement after the taps. I have always gently raised the rod tip to feel tention before setting the hook but may be missing more fish this way. What are your thoughts.
Steven H
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: Steven H]
#4874881
05/18/10 08:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,121
chunkNwind
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,121 |
well, actually, i am battling with that myself. i tend to do what you are saying. if i set the hook and nothing is there, i will start setting the hook as soon as i feel the bump. other times i let them run with it a little. i sort of let them dictate it. sometimes the bump is them picking it up. other times the bump you feel may be them spitting it out. if they are biting good, pull the trigger.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: Steven H]
#4874901
05/18/10 08:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 124
bassindawg
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 124 |
The first tap is the bass sucking it in, and the second tap is him spitting it out . . . don't wait too long.
But seriously, I tend to let them run with it a couple of seconds.
Go to You Tube and watch some video of "bass eating _______" (trout, mice, lizards, snakes, frogs, anything). They always inhale even some big prey, so it's hard to believe they would have any trouble getting a plastic worm in on the first try.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: Steven H]
#4874905
05/18/10 08:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,396
fouzman
Methuselah
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Methuselah
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,396 |
I set the hook with a tx. rig worm or a jig immediately.
Only exception is when the fish are pecking at the bait a few times before eating it. Once this happens several times and I come back with nothing or half a worm, I will wait until I'm sure the fish has it.
Carolina rig, I usually wait until I feel the fish a little before setting the hook. Reason is, fish will often hit your weight, numerous times before finding the bait trailing the weight and eating it.
On those fish that I raise up on and they are swimming off with my bait, I set the hook as fast as I can. Many times if the fish feels pressure it will blow the bait out before you can drop and crack the whip.
I know it is cliche', but let the fish and the bite tell you how to set the hook on any given day. Then crack that whip!
Oh, one other thing and it may be my imagination. But Florida bass on pressured lakes will inhale and blow your bait out faster than a cat can....well you know.
Coincidence is His way of remaining anonymous.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: fouzman]
#4875057
05/18/10 08:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,267
Razorback
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,267 |
As soon as I feel the first tap, I quickly reel up my slack (if there is any) and set the hook. In my opinion most bass, at least keeper size bass, don't "nibble" on their food. They inhale it. I don't wait because I want to slam the hook into them before they can figure out that something isn't right and spit it out.
I may miss some fish that would have come back and "taken" the bait if I had waited, but in my opinion not nearly as many as I will miss if I start pulling on my line...and the fish...to "see if he is there".
Hooksets are free, and if I feel anything that I even think might be a fish I'm ripping lips.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: Razorback]
#4875136
05/18/10 08:50 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,266
Dale Griffin
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,266 |
Ill start off by setting the hook on the first tap after ive reeled up my slack. But if I start missing fish ill let them take it longer and wait til I can feel the fishes weight.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: Dale Griffin]
#4875206
05/18/10 09:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 916
jsix321
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 916 |
I am interested in hearing others thoughts on this as well.
I always have set the hook as soon as I feel a tap or bump. It always seems when I second guess myself and dont set the hook right away I miss more fish. I always thought one of two things will happen: first being they will bite it and you dont have much time before they figure out its a FAKE, two would be they bit it out of some type of defense or reaction and were going to blow it back out and I better set the hook quick.
Then again there are a lot more people on this forum with much more experience than myself so this is just IMO if ya know what I mean.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: jsix321]
#4875302
05/18/10 09:21 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,067
HatCamBass
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,067 |
Compared to others, I'd probably be considered slow on the hookset for T-rigs. When I feel the tap, I reel down to them, and then execute a strong sweeping hook set. It might be bad habit, but I've just always had more success that way.
But, for the times when my line starts moving, I'm a lot quicker with the hookset b/c I know that they have the worm in their mouth.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: HatCamBass]
#4875318
05/18/10 09:23 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,755
CrappieFreaks
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,755 |
Hooksets are free cross there eyes when you first feel the bump.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: Dale Griffin]
#4875335
05/18/10 09:26 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,975
Texan Til I Die
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,975 |
Ill start off by setting the hook on the first tap after ive reeled up my slack. But if I start missing fish ill let them take it longer and wait til I can feel the fishes weight. Ditto. My goal is a maximum of 2 seconds between first feel and hook set, preferably less. If I start whiffing 'em, I'll force myself to slow down.
"If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: jsix321]
#4875339
05/18/10 09:27 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,870
COHLMEYER
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,870 |
Ive always waited, sometimes i feel as if i wait a little too long. As mentioned above, id say about 90 percent of the time a bass that is big enough to be eating your bait will completely inhale it, and swim. In colder weather ive had them suck it in, and sit there. You dont know what happened until you lift the rod tip. Its just like choosing how fast to retrieve your rat-l-trap or what color to use. Let the fish tell you whats going on.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: jsix321]
#4875341
05/18/10 09:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,906
JPost
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,906 |
For soft plastics, I let the rod load a little before I set the hook. Most of the time I believe they actually still think it's food when they first pick it up with all the salt, garlic or whatever flavor is on the plastic. I give them time to position it in thier mouth before they get ready to swallow it.
Jigs and hard stuff I set quickly because I can't believe it seems natural to them and they're more likely to spit it out quickly.
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: JPost]
#4875427
05/18/10 09:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,121
chunkNwind
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,121 |
do like bill dance.....keep your drag loose, wait until your rod is bent double and let it rip.....thought i would throw that in the mix... 
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: chunkNwind]
#4875472
05/18/10 09:49 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 47,426
Ride-or-Fish �
TeTelesTai
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TeTelesTai
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 47,426 |
I rarely set the hook on anything other than underwater obstructions, such as a stump, other old fishing line, or a rock.
Ephesians 6:10-18..suit up. Jesus saved my life
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Re: Setting the Hook
[Re: chunkNwind]
#4875489
05/18/10 09:52 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,651
bogey♂
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,651 |
I had a guy tell me that fishermen will miss @ 80% of bites they didn't know about. I try and set the hook as soon as I feel it. I also heard that fish don't have hands and if they're playing with it, it's in their mouth.
you know, nothing wrong with seven men who met on the internet going for a swim together
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