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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8526480
01/31/13 05:03 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 287
Reef Runner
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 287 |
I have been replacing the hooks on the DOA since they were 1st put on the market.
Braided line - i.e. Power Pro - will increase your sensitivity and improve your catch to strike ratio as well.
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8528667
02/01/13 01:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25,151
lconn4
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25,151 |
hey Sean, I going to make a lot of suggestions not knowing your setup so see if any of these ideas help. Lose the popping cork and try staying more in contact with the shrimp. Cast out and let settle to bottom, let sink with just a little bow in line. When you get the slightest tap, immediately set hook with short quick wrist snap. Just a quick, short snap of wrist is all that's usually needed to hook a trout since their mouths are so soft. If you're seeing and feeling the bite for several seconds I would think you've got some puffers working your bait as well. Hard to catch, persistant, and keep coming back for more. If you find a chunk missing from bait, this is what they usually are. Small trout will often be tougher to hook as the shrimp is sometimes too large for the smaller fish. Light to medium action rods with fast tip are easiest to set hook. 10 lb braid with 20 to 30 lb mono leader on spinning rod is what I've used for years. I'm sure you'll figure it out on your own. 
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8528973
02/01/13 02:20 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,846
sasquatch
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,846 |
Sean, Another tip - I bought a package of the DOA shrimp from Bass Pro that was labeled as Replacement Tails. They were not pre-rigged and quite a a bit cheaper.
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8529192
02/01/13 03:08 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,080
David D.
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,080 |
Are you seeing the trout or just feel them pull off? There are ALOT of species of fish on the coast that will hit the DOA that you'll stuggle to hook. Hardheads, croaker, piggy perch, skipjack, etc.
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8530456
02/01/13 02:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Demar
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15 |
I am not seeing the trout but feel very confident that these are trout. It has been a reoccurring problem. My last frustrating experience was at powder horn lake. I found a little trout hole. 7' water and green. Good via ability. In a 1 hour period got 15 or 16 strikes. Landed 8 of them. Missed the others but these were all trout.
I think that not having confidence in my strategy probably hurts me some since changing it up probably caused a few misses.
I am leaning towards sharp hooks on my DOAs and reeling till fish is good and on before setting hook. I want to stick with the DOA since I feel that it has proven to be my fish finder even if I don't hook everything that bites. Thanks again guys.
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8530949
02/01/13 04:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 207
Redman71
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 207 |
I would not be quite so confident that they are all trout. My experience with corks is that you encounter quite a bit of other fish pulling the cork under.
Taking that into consideration, I don't think your hookup percentage is as bad as you think. You definately won't hook up on every bite. Same thing with all other baits. Tails, tops, corky's, etc...Sometimes you get a lot of bumps before you hookup. Frustrating, but part of the deal IMO.
No reason not to take the suggestions presented above, but I think maybe your expectations for a trout hookup on every solid dunk of the cork may be a little high.
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8531269
02/01/13 05:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25,151
lconn4
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25,151 |
+1 on what Redman said about your hookup ratio!
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Redman71]
#8532301
02/01/13 09:54 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Demar
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15 |
Redman
Point taken. I can't be sure that they are all trout strikes. As far as the hookup rates go, I'll keep working at it, but boy it sure hurts when you feel like you have a strong one on, only to have the line go limp after a few seconds.
I have gotten some great advice, for that I thank everyone. I know time on the water will aid me best, but getting suggestions from this group helps a ton. Can't help but feel a little better when I head back to the coast. Thx.
Sean
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8537625
02/03/13 05:32 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 287
Reef Runner
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 287 |
One other thing you need to consider if your target is specks - you better have a rod tip that is "forgiving" if you set the hook to hard. Once you become a "pro" at catching BIG trout - you will understand what I just said. 
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Re: Need help with Speckled Trout hookset
[Re: Demar]
#8556370
02/07/13 08:30 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
worstspeckanglertx
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2 |
1) Those probably aren't all trout. Seems like a lot of little mouths causing you to miss hook sets not trout mouths.
2) You're posting this in Jan/Feb when fish are generally lethargic. Strikes will be less noticeable than summer (usually) and often times will cause you to miss fish who aren't ready to eat but just can't resist a free meal. This is probably what's happening.
3) Drag on soft plastics and corks should be firm but you should be able to pull it out with one hand firmly. On top waters and corkies set that drag real loose especially with braid. Also remember since you are using braid with that popping cork set it firm but definitely make it to where you can still pull it out without a ton of force with one hand.
I generally count to one thousand one when that cork sinks, aim the rod parallel to the water as I'm cranking down on it then set the hook nice and firm. No need to Bill Dance it. If you are missing a lot of fish there's a good chance those trout are real small or it's probably a fish with a small mouth.
If a big trout hits that cork you will know it and most likely it's not going to matter how you set the hook. It will usually stay on without a worry.
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