hooks up on weagles

[cbrooks]

I've been missing a few on the weagle lately. I always sharpen my hooks and T them off. I was wondering if anybody puts a larger hook on or does anything else to improve there odds of hooking into one?

[JRedig]

You could almost say it's better to fish with your eyes off the bait so the hookset doesn't happen prematurely.

That being said, are you sure the fish are trying to eat it or maybe they're just tail slapping it? I've seen that a lot.

That and pike slashing at it, sure they're all muskies?

[10,000 Casts]

smaller hooks are supposed to have a better hook set.

It's topwater.. your gonna miss a few fish.

[cbrooks]

Thanks for the responses. Yeah ,I'm sure there muskies JRedig. What do you mean by slapping it? I did do a premature hookset on one. Smaller hooks are better for hook ups, might give that a try. Well, with this cold front coming in might be a while for another decent topwater bite.

[mainbutter]

tail slapping or body slapping, or even head slapping: Smacking the bait, rather than biting it. Many fish do this, everything from headbutting to swinging their tails. I don't know enough fish psychology to tell you if this is pure aggression or a hunting tactic when it comes to topwater lures.

Ever hooked a fish in the tail, but you originally felt what you thought was a strong hit/bite? It is possible that was a tail slap rather than the fish accidentally running into your lure.

[JRedig]

I would not down size from the hooks that come on weagles, they are very good hooks and I have NOT had problems hooking many fish on them.

[jiggin' fool]

I have also come to believe that the size of the fish has a direct bearing on it's actions, in regards to actually eating it, vs. "hitting" it, slapping at it, jumping out of the water, blowing up on it.., or any of the other behaviors exhibited on top-waters. I had this problem earlier this year, even posted here on it.., but after looking at the sightings of those muskies, nearly every one was a low to mid 30-inch fish. I think the big-girls are more inclined to eat a top-water, vs. blow-up on it. I think that when a bigger-fish moves on a top-water, it has lunch on it's mind, vs. "play-time".

Just my .02-cents on it, as I have had my own share of "play-time" this year.

And, I wouldn't be in too big of a hurry to write off top-water for the year.

[cbrooks]

Thanks for the explanation on tail slapping. First time I heard that term used. I kinda agree with jiggin fool the smaller ones seem to hit and not just follow. The bigger ones come from behind usually and theres a few more seconds before they strike.

I'm still trying to learn how to read these fish when they follow. I got along ways to go but I learn alot this year so far thanks to forums like these. Thanks again everyone and good luck this fall.

[MNBIGBEAR]

I agree with the rest of the guys in that your hooking percentage is going to be on the lower end with topwater, especially an erratic one like the weagle or jackpot. Seems like they have a harder getting a bead on the bait. I had one hit a jackpot last week that came all the way out of the water and I could clearly see that it did not have its mouth open but knocked the bait a good two feet in the air. Gotta love muskies.

[urban cowboy]

You dont need to change the hooks, you need nerves of steel when you see the blow up

[guideman]

I'm affraid it's just the nature of the beast. Walk the dog topwaters and glide baits just aren't the best hookers.

The heavier the bait, the easier it is for them to throw it as well.

I use #4 long shanked hooks on all of my Wegals, they seem to work pretty well. You hook some and you lose some, thats why they call it fishing.

"Ace"