Setting The Hook

[Seth]

I didn't realize he was using a lure. I do a reel set depending on what type of lure I am using. If I'm fishing a wacky worm on a neko hook with a spinning rod, 15# braid and 6-10# leader then I will typically just do a "reel set". If punchin cover with a jig or texas rig with 20# fluorocarbon, then I crack em pretty good. Thin wire hooks don't take much to penetrate a fishes mouth, but a heavy wire hook built for stout tackle will require a lot more force to punch through a fishes mouth.

I can tell you that I lose less fish on those light wire hooks and a "reel set" than I do cracking them with heavy tackle.

[MOPanfisher]

I am of the "if in doubt, set the hook" school of training.  Even on crappie I set the hook with a short snap.of the rod, I watch my wife just reeling faster and she will lose over half of them.  On walleye I often set the hook twice, I hate having them come loose.  On my normal light tackle I keep th drag set so that on the hook set it will slip just a little, I live to hear that zzztt when I set the hook. 

[Al Agnew]

So what does it hurt setting the hook hard on bass?  If they have the hook in their mouth, you aren't going to jerk it out by setting hard.  And there are certainly times when you really need a hard hook set...when they've taken in a soft plastic which may be balled up around the hook, for instance.  So I set fairly hard no matter what I'm using.  

[fishinwrench]

I think everyone overestimates the actual amount of force being applied to the hook point during a hard hook set.  

With a medium action rod and 25-30ft of 12-14# line out..... I'll bet that you can't consistently rip a sycamore leaf in half with a hook set. 😊

[Mitch f]

12 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I think everyone overestimates the actual amount of force being applied to the hook point during a hard hook set.  

With a medium action rod and 25-30ft of 12-14# line out..... I'll bet that you can't consistently rip a sycamore leaf in half with a hook set. 😊

Totally agree....

Combine that with the totally underestimated force of a fishes jaws. These jigs made nowadays pretty much all have insufficient weedguard stiffness. With the exception of Bo’s jigs. 
I would say a sharp hook point that is slightly pointed out of parallel with shaft direction is the best way to assure a good hook set with lighter rigs. About 5-10 degrees....but don’t overdo it.

[Devan S.]

On 1/13/2020 at 12:02 AM, fishinwrench said:

I think everyone overestimates the actual amount of force being applied to the hook point during a hard hook set.  

With a medium action rod and 25-30ft of 12-14# line out..... I'll bet that you can't consistently rip a sycamore leaf in half with a hook set. 😊

One time many moons ago....I had a buddy throw a topwater popper at me on a fishing rod. I saw it coming at the last second, instincts took over, I throw my hand up and caught it. 

He closed the bail took a few cranks and set the hook with mono, on a normal 6ft spinning rod, at 60-70ft. buried every hook into my hand, hand closed. Took an ER visit to get it all out. 

We're not friends any more.......

[fishinwrench]

46 minutes ago, Devan S. said:

 

We're not friends any more.......

That's no reason to end a friendship.  Why ya gotta be so intolerant ? 🙄

[Devan S.]

hahaha it actually wasn't due to that....just ultimately went down different paths in life.

[ness]

2 hours ago, Devan S. said:

hahaha it actually wasn't due to that....just ultimately went down different paths in life.

That's probably best.

[fishinwrench]

Yeah you'll seldom see pitchers partying with catchers.  One just gives the other the finger....and the other just nods.