Setting the Hook

[cubbies11]

I have been getting quite a few bites where it feels like the fish are tapping at the bait, my question is how long do you wait, if at all to set the hook? I have been feeling the bites then dropping the rod tip like I do in walleye fishing. Is this right?

Cubbies

[Dennis Steele]

Most likely your just getting "peckers".

Extremely annoying!!!

It could be very small cats, gar, sheephead or even walleye.

If they are cats and they are biting very light, there is a technique to catch them.

Use a sensitive rod and hold it in your hands at the 10:00 position. You will feel resistance on your bait from the current. As soon as you feel slightly less resistance (your rod tip feels lighter) immediatly set the hook.

What is happening is that they are not inhaleing the bait, but rather just move forward with their mouth open and close their mouth on the bait, not turning downstream and just sitting right there with the bait in their mouth or moving slightly upstream.

I have to admitt, I have not mastered this technique. It takes a very sensitive rod and quick reflexes to catch them when they do this, but do pick up a few. My best catch ratio is probably 50% when they are doing this.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I've learned that cats, at times, can be very good at just grabbing a bit of your bait and nibbling. Peckers, just like Dennis said. They can be very tough to catch when this is happening. Sometimes, it seems like one day they'll be engulfing things and your rod will be doubling over, then the next, you'll just sit and watch them nibble away. I haven't figured out a way to get them consistently, yet, but I'll try Dennis's system.

[hanson]

I've accepted the fact they are probably small cats or fish I don't want to catch anyway. Its quite annoying though when you aren't catching anything and all you get is those small taps.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Ask Manny about last Friday. I don't think his rod tip stopped moving all night, but he never could hook one to find out what it was

[SteveD]

I've had the same experience. It seems like right now when the water temp is still pretty cool they seem to peck at it more. I think we are right at the front of the prespawn bite and they are not hunting with a hungry vengence quite yet.

Last night I caught 2 walleyes on cut sucker, both of them started with a peck, peck routine. Like Dennis said, sometimes it may be something other than a channel cat.

One other thing you may try when you get a lot of the peckers after your bait is to switch the type of bait. Last spring I was using some frozen shad but all they would do was peck, peck - I switched to cut sucker and they hammered it. Maybe a change of bait type will change the bite - it's worth a try.

[Mr Special]

I personally think it's just the smaller cats or other fish. I've been catching some nice channels and they all seem to hammer the bait. Almost lost my rod last friday on a #12. "Thanks agian ThatGuy for seeing it" Most water system now are in the 50+ temp.

[Ralph Wiggum]

LOL, the Thunder Cat tip was in the water Good thing you have a dependable rod holder!

[Big Cat Dad]

They are not always small cats. Sometimes cats become temperamental just like other species. One way to help is downsize your bait and hook size to help your hook up percentage.

[rushing]

If its a flathead they kinda seem to make a commitment when taking a live bait even though they might just sit there. Channels seem to mouth baits more kinda crush them a bit before taking them sometimes. Since most fish, when eating other fish take them head first they might have to spit it out to reposition it. With non-live bait you could be having just about anything foolin with it from a turtle to other small fish. About the only thing you can do if you are uncertain is sit with your rod in your hand and set the hook on anything that feels out of the norm.

[Canuck]

I am NO expert but here goes for some ideas I find work for me

First, U mentioned U drop your rod when U feel a nibble, WRONG. What U are doing is letting your bait drift away and those cats are will notice any movement. If U are having problems keeping your rod still put it in a good rod holder and switch to a circle hook. Remember it is a different hook set for circle hook, infact it is NO hook set rather just reeling when they start to run. Also on the hook set come straight up not sideways, it may be a small thing but I think U will notice a better hook up percentage and when U set the hook, RIP THEIR LIPS.

What are U picking your rod up out of? Are U transferring any sound like metal down the line? Try and keep your rod in your hand and like was mentioned previously set the hook at the slightest of nibble. I know this will sound like the opposite thing but have U tried strumming or knocking? This noise is different than metal and I am told it resembles the sound of a bait fish in distress.

Next, what did U touch prior to putting your bait on? Cats are scent feeders and if U transfer any odour not like your bait they will pick that up and drop it immediately. Personally I use garlic oil as that cleans your hands of odour and believe it or not increased my hookups like unreal. Are U a smoker?????

Next how old is your bait? I will not keep the same bait on for longer than 15 minutes as the scent gets washed out. Also, I am NOT a stink bait person but rather use as fresh as cut bait as I can. If I have to use frozen bait I will keep it frozen until I even put it on the hook.

I also recommend U go to a longer rod with the end couple of feet being very sensitative and then U can still have the back bone to fight these kitties. If U think cats can be light biters try the sturgeon.

Is your tip of your hook just outside your bait and sharp? Remember these cats crush their food and can clamp down and hold the bait without U moving the hook, something like our big greenbacks.

As others have mentioned it may not be kitties so try smaller bait and smaller hooks it it continues and see if U are getting anything like, goldeye, walleye or even drum.

And last,do NOT get frustrated it is just fishing for fun not food. I hope these may help.