HaHa HaHa:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Setting the hook for dummies

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Water Valley
    Posts
    4
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Setting the hook for dummies


    I am a novice fisherman. I have tried for a few years but only this summer have I had success with some artificial lures. I am really interested in catching some crappie. I've got a kayak, and have hit the spillway near my house twice in the past week. I've caught a few fish, but no crappie. I think I have hooked two crappie, one each day. They both threw the hook when they got near the surface. I can't tell if I am not setting the hook hard enough, or setting it too hard. I've been very careful not to set it super hard for fear of tearing the lip. I am using a b 'n m 10ft jig pole and vertical jigging. Should I set it harder? Or if they are coming off near the surface is it from ripping the lip?

    Also, for anyone in north MS, what are the crappie doing now? Spawn is over, right? I have been fishing in fairly shallow water, about 10-12 ft give or take. Will there be many crappie in the rivers/spillway or should I head to the lake?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    WV
    Posts
    1,615
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Paper mouths they are called for a reason.I myself use the lift method rather than a sudden jerk to set the hook if I’m vertical jigging.If I am slowly swimming a jig ,fishing under a float or Using a spinner style lure,a gentle sweep has worked well for me.I have fished crappie so much,I probably miss other fish species due to too light hook sets.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Dayton Tennessee
    Posts
    39,760
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    A good sharp hook helps a lot. If the jig head has been snagged on something and pulled loose when bending it back into shape make sure the hook point is not over bent
    The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Water Valley
    Posts
    4
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Yaker View Post
    Paper mouths they are called for a reason.I myself use the lift method rather than a sudden jerk to set the hook if I’m vertical jigging.If I am slowly swimming a jig ,fishing under a float or Using a spinner style lure,a gentle sweep has worked well for me.I have fished crappie so much,I probably miss other fish species due to too light hook sets.
    About how long do I have from the strike to set the hook? It's hard not to jerk the rod up when I feel that first thump... it's a knee jerk reaction sort of, lol. Also I do use a little bit of attractant when I remember to.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Alcoa, Tennessee
    Posts
    8,938
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    A good attractant will make them “hold on” a little longer. I use a #2 hook, and that’ll usually get em in the roof of the mouth. The roof of the mouth ain’t paper, as I often need pliers to remove the hook.
    I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
    Likes "G" LIKED above post

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Alcoa, Tennessee
    Posts
    8,938
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Oh, and I don’t get cheated on my hooksets! I often get a little drag squeal when I set the hook. My feet do stay planted, but just barely!
    I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

  7. #7
    CrappiePappy's Avatar
    CrappiePappy is offline Super Moderator - 2013 Man Of The Year * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Lexington, KY
    Posts
    23,501
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by electricvelvet View Post
    About how long do I have from the strike to set the hook? It's hard not to jerk the rod up when I feel that first thump... it's a knee jerk reaction sort of, lol. Also I do use a little bit of attractant when I remember to.
    How long before you set the hook, you ask ??? ..... The average reaction time for humans is 0.25 seconds to a visual stimulus, 0.17 for an audio stimulus, and 0.15 seconds for a touch stimulus. (but the "reaction" itself was not defined as movement or simple acknowledgement)

    So, for me it's likely about 0.75 seconds from strike (touch stimulus) to hookset but I'm old & slow. Seriously though, I set the hook as soon as I mentally acknowledge that a "thump" has occurred ... and I set the hook with authority (but only with my wrist and arm, and not with my whole upper torso). The only time I "sweep" the rod sideways, rather than "jerking" the rod upwards, is when I'm using braid on that particular rod ... as I let the no stretch properties of the braid and the stiffness of the rod do the "hook setting" for me. When using mono or copoly lines, that do have some stretch, and a fast action rod (or especially a med action rod), then I'll set the hook with a wrist/arm upward jerk and let the line stretch and rod bend moderate the power of my hook set.

    Now, I will admit that I don't do much vertical jigging .. but even when I have, the hook set timing & speed/power have been the same as when I'm casting. I, too, have lost a few fish at the surface .... but I've also landed fish with the hook point in the fish but not beyond the barb, or with the hook "hanging" on the lip & a large hole in the membrane.

    Nobody lands EVERY fish they set the hook on !!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    959
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    If I miss one fishing as you describe, in that depth, the jig will exit the water, but I use a very limber rod and 4# mono.

    Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Clinton, Mo.
    Posts
    811
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    The key for me is not allowing any slack to enter the line after bite/set. If the line goes slack they jerk the hook out.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Brouillette La.
    Posts
    2,360
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Don't be afraid to cross his eyes setting the hook
    You know me, I'm always ready for a road trip. Chip Newest member of Traveling Team Overalls
    Likes ET Fish, "G" LIKED above post

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP