If you get into a feeling match with a fish you are going to lose. If you feel the fish he has already felt you and will probably drop the bait. Try to feel the lightest tick or thump watch your line and concentrate on your bait at all times you will become attuned to what weight your bait is if it gets heavy it is a fish a leaf or a piece of brush or it might just become light where you can not feel the weight. you might see the line jump or you might see it swim to the side. All of these could indicate a fish if you think something has changed set the hook it is free. some of the time you will be rewarded some of the time you will be hung up and some of the time nothing. Only time will let you know what to do and when but if you are in doubt set the hook.

As for the type o hook set it depends on the type of bait you are fishing Carolina rig I sweep to the side because of the positon of the rod sam as a spinner bait texas rig shakey head jig etc. I set the hook with an upward motion because I usually move the bait with the rod tip up.