Im doing something wrong

[bbortko]

I have very little experience with lures and most of my experience is with spinners and crank baits. After years of seeing others catch big bass on plastics I decided to try and learn the tricks of the sport. After a couple quick test outings I started having some luck but lately I'm loosing a lot. Some times they hit and their gone, I'm guessing that's just the way the cookie crumbles. The ones that are eating at me is when I get a strike, wait a second then give a little jerk and once the fish starts runnining I'll give a decent jerk to set the hook and the fish will go a few more feet before I lose it. Is it me or is that just the way things go at times?

 

[fhawk362]

How are you rigging the hook, if you're making it weedless maybe you're putting the hook in too shallow and it may not be coming out when you set the hook. You need offset shank hooks, set the hook all the way through the worm, then lightly put the hook tip back in the plastic. Also, a good hook set is required on the initial strike. Whats your set up, monofilament often has too much stretch at lighter lines for adequate hook sets, I find it much harder to get good hooksets with my ultralights, it takes some getting used to.

 

[bbortko]

I haven't used offsets but I do setup the hook as you described. I'm using suffix832 20# line. I'll get some offset hooks and try setting the hook more solidly early, I've always been afraid to set the hook to soon. Thanks.

 

[fhawk362]

With #20 test you wont have much stretch, set the hook right the first time and you'll be good to go. I use 2-8lb test here, but I don't fish much cover, mostly canals. Here's a good pic of how to use rig an offset shank hook, once you use them you will never go back, they provide great action and keep your lures weedless.
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&h...w=144&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0,i:88

 

[CichlidJoe]

Plastics are tricky and most fish can grab the bait and swim around before trying to swallow. I use all different types of hooks and usually don't have a problem catching anything... I mainly fish for bass. What type of fish are you going for? (I'm guessing bass if your using crankbaits/spinners). My method I find helpful is when you feel the hit tighten the slack slowly, instead of yanking the line and trying to set the hook, and if you feel a tug back then set the hook. I hope that method helps.

This fish is a normal catch around here


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[bbortko]

I'll have to try checking the slack before trying to set. Its been frustrating the last couple of weeks trying to learn a new technique when I'm lucky to get 2 hits in an hour. Ever since the carp started spawning my lake has been dead. I even brought a second pole today baited with shrimp with hopes of catching a channel cat while practicing with different lures on the other rod. This plan almost panned out but whatever hit the shrimp doubled over the pole and snapped the line on the strike, i never even got the rod in my hand.

 

[fhawk362]

Plastics are tricky and most fish can grab the bait and swim around before trying to swallow. I use all different types of hooks and usually don't have a problem catching anything... I mainly fish for bass. What type of fish are you going for? (I'm guessing bass if your using crankbaits/spinners). My method I find helpful is when you feel the hit tighten the slack slowly, instead of yanking the line and trying to set the hook, and if you feel a tug back then set the hook. I hope that method helps.
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Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

True, It depends on if it hits when your reeling or when its sitting, if the lure was sitting you'd probably want it to run a bit, if its when youre reeling it in you're better off setting the hook right away