Setting the Hook

[fishn]

I was practicing for the classic last week using a senko on a wacky set up with a #3 size wide gap gamakatsu hook and was losing half of the fish. I had on 8lb flouro with a medium spinning rod. I was setting the hook like usual with a snap of the wrist up but when the fish came up with the initial jump I would lose them. Never had much problems before especially with braid but I didnt want to set the hook too hard and break the line. Anyone have a different way of setting the hook on light line. Luckily I didnt lose any fish on tournament day so is there something wrong with my hook set or just one of them days?

[YUM]

I would suggest a more sweeping hookset, that's what I do with a similar set and specifically with that type of hook. Dont think there is a real need for a 'snaping' hook set because there is need to push the hook through the plastic like on a texas rig for example.

[Cecil]

Was it a offset worm hook? Or a wide gap walleye-type hook...

[fishn]

It was an off set worm hook

[Deitz Dittrich]

using an o-ring on the lure or just regular?

[YUM]

oh, I was thinking you were using the gamma finesse wide gap...because you said it was a size 3. Did you mean 3/0?

[fishn]

I had an O ring on.

[fishn]

Sorry for the lack of details it was a 3/0

[Cecil]

I would go to a finesse wide gap. Those are GREAT hooks and they are thin enough to penetrate with the lighter line. Not that the offset wide gaps don't, but the finesse hooks are perfect for it and you can get them in weedless.

[Craigums]

I would go to a finesse wide gap. Those are GREAT hooks and they are thin enough to penetrate with the lighter line. Not that the offset wide gaps don't, but the finesse hooks are perfect for it and you can get them in weedless.

This is what I use, they are phenomenal hooks, I use 2/0 most of the time

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have concerns when using an o-ring and an offset hook.. The bait its self is then inline with the plastic. the plastic may be opening the mouth of the fish and thus not getting a deep enough hook into the fish. I'm probably not explaining this right, but I can see this not being the best way to do it. Anyway, I think thats your problem.. get rid of the o-ring or go straight shank or wide gap walleye hook.

[fishn]

thx for all the advice I'll give it a try the next time I go out.

[gritsnham]

What situations do you like to use an o-ring in Dietz and why?

[Deitz Dittrich]

gol darn it gritsnham... I knew someone was going to ask........ .Please keep in mind this is just an opinion. Which is worth nothing. Just my own thoughts, and time on the water trying stupid stuff..

I dont like the o-ring. In any situation.. Unless you are hard up for cash, and need to prolong your stick baits. Then, get er done, they do help your baits last longer.

Here is my thought process... If you are fishing an o-ring, more than likely your hook will then be parallel to the stick bait. Thus when you set the hook the bait will turn and try to come out perpendicular to the bass's mouth.. And maybe skin hook at best. Granted this will not happen every time.. But will happen enough to make you mad. I know it did me. I have a much better hooking percentage if my hook is perpendicualr to the stick bait(normal wacky rig set up.)

I do better with a very small slice of shrink tube and skin hook the hook through that.

I know people are very successful with the o-ring.. that's great!... its just not for me.

[Deitz Dittrich]

ok.. someone please disagree and put a post going against what I just wrote.. I welcome it.. Fishing is all about what works for you.. not what works for others.

[Larson15]

IMO anytime an offset hook is used your hook ups are not going to be as good. Regardless of the setup, a straight shank style hook will provide better results. I will disagree with Deitz on the O rings because I use them all the time on Owner 1/0 weedless wacky hooks, owner finesse hooks, and flick shakes and my hookups are great. I prefer having the bait inline with the shape of the hook which is what the O-ring does. My obvious recommendation is to experiment with some different hooks and see what works for you.

As for the Hookset, I believe the sweep set is more effective and have adopted this method for all my fishing. I went to this set last year after missing fish with the snap set.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Thats it, you disagreed with me, I will hate you forever larson15...

8-)

just kidding of coarse.

[Basscat]

Fish can spit the hook a lot of the time when they jump, so try keeping your rod tip down after setting the hook. They can't jump as easily this way compared to when your rod tip is up.

[RumRiverRat]

Fish can spit the hook a lot of the time when they jump, so try keeping your rod tip down after setting the hook. They can't jump as easily this way compared to when your rod tip is up.

I agree with this.

Get your rod tip near the water surface or just under the surface to reduce slack in the line, this will help prevent the bass from jumping or head shaking on the surface and spitting out the bait.

[Craigums]

Ya know DD... I tried using an oring once and I missed 3 fish before going back to just impaling the stickworm and hiving my hook perpendicular to the bait. I never cared to go back to the o-ring cause I felt the same way as you. Could just be a confidence thing though, I generally stick with what I know works

[Cecil]

They do have the new weighted rings out that allow the hook to pass thru the ring. Allowing the hook to be perpendicular with the bait...

[Deitz Dittrich]

Just for ref, this is what cecil is talking about.. not an advert for the product at all.