Hook setting questions.......

[roadrunner]

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.

[Col Forbin]

I set the hook anytime I feel something different (hooksets are free). The only time I will hesitate is when fishing a large worm to let them get it, and topwater. As said above on single hook, t-rig and especially jig I set the heck out of the hook. I use a long 180 degree sweep on a carolina rig. On finesse stuff I use a slow upward pull and keep the pressure. ANd on crankbaits I use a slower sweep than the c-rig. The key is knowing what your bait is doing or what it is supposed to be doing and feel like and recognizing any difference in that.

[mhall]

I set the hook anytime I feel something different (hooksets are free). The only time I will hesitate is when fishing a large worm to let them get it, and topwater. As said above on single hook, t-rig and especially jig I set the heck out of the hook. I use a long 180 degree sweep on a carolina rig. On finesse stuff I use a slow upward pull and keep the pressure. ANd on crankbaits I use a slower sweep than the c-rig. The key is knowing what your bait is doing or what it is supposed to be doing and feel like and recognizing any difference in that.

Exactly what I do to a tee.

[Cobra190]

I set the hook anytime I feel something different (hooksets are free). The only time I will hesitate is when fishing a large worm to let them get it, and topwater. As said above on single hook, t-rig and especially jig I set the heck out of the hook. I use a long 180 degree sweep on a carolina rig. On finesse stuff I use a slow upward pull and keep the pressure. ANd on crankbaits I use a slower sweep than the c-rig. The key is knowing what your bait is doing or what it is supposed to be doing and feel like and recognizing any difference in that.

I too totally agree. When I first started fishing years ago, before there was so much fishing pressure, you could wait to feel the fish before setting the hook. But all this has changed and you really have to focus now. There are so many things to watch and feel for, that you almost have to set the hook on the slightest change. Consider it a bonus and gimme if you ever have a fish pick up a bait and swim with it anymore. And in alot of cases a good upward snap of the rod will work as long as you keep your hooks sharp. Good Luck!!

[Todd2]

One thing I've been playing with is Braided line. I started Carolina Rigging quite a bit late this summer and was missing alot of them until I went to braid as my main line with a 10 lb mono leader. You feel everything with the stuff, being that braid has no stretch which also allows a quicker hookset. I'm also trying it out with t-rigs and jigs using a double nail knot to connect a mono leader. Seems to help, but braid does have some issues. Good Post...