to set the hook or no

[matt1991]

when fishing for panfish crappie using live bait when cork goes under do u like t set the hook or start t reel fast some think you just pull it out of their mouth i usually do a small jerk and reel

[CrappiePappy]

I would start reeling & then set the hook when the float is at a distance. I would set the hook & then start reeling when the float is close. It would also depend on what length rod I was using, along with the distance of the float. It's just something you'll learn with experience as to how far away is "close" or "at a distance" (and again, what length rod you're using vs that distance).

[Noodle rod]

I set the hook, rarely use a float, sometimes the line breaks on the hookset. I try to stay in touch with the jig so I feel it is not too much force, have a good hookup percentage and am not tearing their mouths. I think the breaking is because I fail to retie after several fish teeth have weakened the last inch of line.

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[INDyak]

I reel slowly till I can feel the fish, then more of a slight tick up to set.

[funfishers]

I reel slowly till I can feel the fish, then more of a slight tick up to set.

I like and try to use that technique. The more subtle the hook set the better, for me at least.

[Smoltz]

I know why your asking cause your missing fish. I had same troubles, what I do is treat it like a top water lure. Don’t set the hook on the splash, wait till you feel the fish. Reel in slightly till it’s taught.
When you have trouble is when crappie are on a up bite and they take the weight off. The float tips over. The fish came up and took the weight off.


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[hdhntr]

i just raise the rod tip up and don't set the hook hard but it does take and works for me. mostly use jigs on tight line and don't have trouble with those rather than watching float go down.

[sparkie51]

I'm on the other side. When the float starts to move off or lays down. I rip it. I use large floats. Just keep the slack out of your line.

[M R Dux]

I honed my fishing skills in the era of "break their jaw" hooksets. I learned that such a set meant lots of lost crappie so now I just use a sweeping set on everything. When fishing with a bobber, I reel down till I feel slight pressure then sweep the rod back easy while reeling.

I had a guy on a guide trip last year who absolutely couldn't/wouldn't listen to me. We were pulling cranks and having a good day. Every time a fish pulled the rod down on his side, he would reel down then put a Roland Martin-break its jaw hookset. At the end of the trip he had personally yanked off at least 7-8 good crappie that were already hooked and either on top or coming to the top. That ends up being a reflection on my abilities to put them on fish when he relives the trip with his buddies but conveniently fails to tell of his antics with the hooksets.

[deathb4disco]

I had a guy on a guide trip last year who absolutely couldn't/wouldn't listen to me. We were pulling cranks and having a good day. Every time a fish pulled the rod down on his side, he would reel down then put a Roland Martin-break its jaw hookset. At the end of the trip he had personally yanked off at least 7-8 good crappie that were already hooked and either on top or coming to the top. That ends up being a reflection on my abilities to put them on fish when he relives the trip with his buddies but conveniently fails to tell of his antics with the hooksets.

Some people watch too many bass fishing shows. They forget they're called "papermouth" for a reason.