Proper hooksetting technique

[STEELERBOY29]

This past year I lost a lot of fish that I think I should have landed.  I'm talking about a fish that I have on for a couple of seconds and then it's gone.  I'm not talking about a fish that spits it before I set the hook or a fish that jumps and spits it.  I think my problem can be traced back to my hookset.  I tend to do two different hooksets depending on the bait that I'm using.  For single hook baits, I do a quick, hard jerk on a tight line to set the hook.  On trebles, I do a reeling/sweeping hookset.  I use mostly co-polymer and fluro, plus I sharpen all my hooks and swap factory trebles.  So I don't think I can blame my equipment.  Am I doing something wrong?  Or maybe I just had some bad luck this year.

[eetz]

what rods are you using or more specifically, what action (medium, MH,  w/ extra fast tip, fast, moderate)? 

I'm sure the guys on here will have a lot of advice for you, but answering this question will help them out a lot. 

[STEELERBOY29]

I use a lot of M/F and MH/F (mostly Mojo's) for single hooks and MH/M for cranking.  A common setup would be 12 lb fluro on a 7' MH/F Mojo with a Texas rigged worm.

[LennyB]

When I set the hook on a bait like a jig or worm I drop the rod a little so I have a little slack before snapping the rod back. That little slack causes the hook to penetrate similar to taking a sharp stack and stabbing it into something rather than pushing it into something. With crankbaits and jerkbait type lures were I use a fine wire razor sharp hook, I just sweep the rod back and keep on the pressure. Once they're hooked good, if you loose them it's usually because you are not keeping enough pressure on them and they're shaking it out unless your pulling so hard your ripping it out. Most of the time I find guys are not keeping enough pressure on them. Make sure on the snap hook sets you use strong enough line to handle the impact. If you feel you didn't get the penetration on the hook set to bury the barb, set it again. And remember that practice makes perfect. When you get something that works for you, stick with it.

[dominater]

A medium or medium heavy rod will be fine, especially with fluorocarbon or braid.  If you are still having issues, try upgrading your line size from 12 lb. (depending on the cover) when using single hook baits on casting gear. 

I second what MBFT said about the snap hook set.    To elaborate on his idea, I keep my rod at about 10 o'clock.  When the fish bites, tap tap, in one swift motion I drop my rod to about 9 o'clock and snap straight to 12 o'clock, bringing the rod to my right shoulder while I start reeling.  When I drop to 9 o'clock, I am putting slack in the line.  I set the hook on this slack line, which is why there is a snapping sound (kind of like when you are working a jerkbait).  My goal is to generate rod tip speed like a golfer does with club head speed.  A lot of the snapping motion is due to flexibility in my wrist.  Once I hear the snap, my arm provides the follow through (power) to complete the motion.

This is tough to explain with words but try practicing it and you will know when you have it right.

[thedude]

if you are losing fish on your moving baits - its the hook or the rod. Triple grip trebles and moderate action rod will help a lot.

other baits, make sure you got the right size hook and they are good quality. On jigs, you don't have much choice, so pick jigs with a good hook and also trim the weed guards.

when setting the hook i prefer bending my knees, lowering the rod and then attempting to jump as high as possible while laying back into the rod. 

[STEELERBOY29]

I've done pretty well on landing fish with trebles since switching over to Triple Grip hooks a couple of years ago.  It's mostly single hook baits where I'm failing.  I use Gamakatsu's on soft plastics and I trim weed guards on my jigs.  MBFT, I appreciate your explanation.  It makes sense to me.  I guess I've just heard about two schools of thought on hooksets.  One is to snap it like you explain.  The other is to feel the weight of the fish and load up your rod.  Maybe each method works for different people.  I might be making the mistake of combining the two techniques.

[fuzzygrub1611]

 Try sweeping your rod to the side. Since I started doing that I have lost fewer fish. Give it a try.

[REEL_MAN]

a number of years ago I saw a video of Uncle Homer on setting the hook. He had a demonstration where he suspended a 2x10 (about 5lbs.). He then started the hook in the wood just to hold it, he then set the hook. He showed what many call a snap set and when he set the hook, guess what he really moved the board. He then he showed the true snap set, the board didn't move!!! He showed close ups of the penetration of the hooks. Power set hook nearly fell out when touched, the true snap set the hook was buried to the barb.
The true snap set you don't move the arms very much, most of the movement is in the wrist.  The trick is to get the rod tip moving fast fast fast. On the set the thing is don't move the fish, move the hook. Try making the demonstration setup and see how you set the hook. Also use the sharpest hook you can helps.

Have Blessed Christmas and New Year

Reelman
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[Dan]

I had a buddy do a demo once with mono and hook setting. He'd stand about a normal cast length away and then hold the hook with two fingers. He'd have you try and set as hard as you could and noone could pull the hook out of his two fingers. The stretch in the mono really absorbed the set putting very little pressure on the hook. It would be a totally different scenario with fluoro.  It is more about the rod and line, I feel, than the set itself.

[Mike S.]

With a spinning rod, which I only fish soft plastics on, I drop the rod tip reel some slack and rip the tip back up. I use 7' M action spinning rods for all of my plastics.

With a casting setup, I sweep the rod to my right side when I feel the fish. I use rods from 6'6" to 7'2" for cranks spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits. M to H action on those.

[Redbone]

Good tip ReelMan.  I have to start doing that a little more.

[MBell]

Probobly one of the most impossible fishing questions to answer, and endless list of variables.  As important if not more important then the hookset is your equipment, the right equipment can drastically reduce your lost fish.  Your best bets probobly to watch video of the bassmasters, mimic their equipment/hookset techniques.  Some of the best to model yourself after IMO are KVD on cranks and Aaron Martens with the dropshot you can learn a lot by watching these guys fight fish.
-Matt   

[josh617]

Matt all that research and u still set the hook like a girl 

[fiker]

I use mosquito (circle) hooks a lot when fishing wacky, and when drop shotting. 

Everything I've read has said to just reel down, keep up the pressure, and let the fish hook itself as you reel into him.

The rationale I've read is that with a snap hook set, one could easily pull the hook right out of the fishes mouth.

On my senko rod, I use braid attached to a fluoro leader.  The hook is usually and EWG 4/0, (depending on the size of the worm) texas rigged weightless.  I keep the hook texposed to keep it weedless. 

When I set the hook with this rig, it is always a snap of the wrists. 

[djkimmel]

Matt all that research and u still set the hook like a girl 

Hey! No personal attacks (unless they're really funny )

[MBell]

Matt all that research and u still set the hook like a girl 

I have these tiny hands...

[josh617]

We need to video tape the johnny j hookset, send them 14"ers into orbit. lol

[Bender]

I have these tiny hands...

Look for Matt at the Ultimate Fishing Show! (link)