I lost multiple fish yesterday on "rising bites"??? What am I doing wrong?

[Cajuntec]

I was fishing with the smallest size ESB slip bobbers yesterday. On multiple occasions, I watched my bobber stop come "up" off the top of the bobber (and the bobber starts to tip flat), and I knew there was a fish there. I've read that the fish has come up to get the lure and keeps rising, so that's why it does that. At least that's what I've read.

The problem though, on each occasion, is that there was a fish there - but they could come off seconds after I started reeling them in. I wasn't really doing a hook-set or anything like I do on bass, as I was told Crappie have paper mouths - but should I be doing some sort of hook-set, or am I doing something else wrong??? I'm just reeling up until I feel the fish, pulling back slightly (no hook set), and keeping the line tight while they are pulling out drag (most often, because it's set really light).

All the best,
Glenn

[SuperDave336]

I’d set the hook. Don’t try to launch them to mars though

[Cajuntec]

I think what I'm doing with the rod lift is kinda a hook-set. Just a very light one. Maybe a bit more pressure next time. I also just thought about something... What if it wasn't Crappie? Might have been something else. But all of the Bass I catch on these lures usually smack it so hard, they kinda set the hook on themselves. I've had rods in the rod holder suddenly bounce and the drag start going out - it's a bass about 75% of the time. Yellow Perch tend to do that as well, but the strike isn't as hard. They just kinda hook themselves on the rods I have in the rod holders (no floats).
All the best,
Glenn

[CrappiePappy]

If you have a "really light" setting on your drag ... set the hook like you would when just casting/retrieving a jig. The light drag will compensate for any overly hard hookset. That way you don't have to change how you normally set the hook.

I'm thinking the "pulling back slightly" was enough to get the "hook point" embedded in the fish, but not necessarily past the barb. The only time I sweep the rod or "pull back slightly" on a hookset is when I'm fishing (casting) with braid (& that rod is a 7' IM8 Bionic Blade).

Also, when using a slip float and fishing very deep or from a distance, the power of your hookset is diminished accordingly, with the float acting as a moving leverage point. A "long" rod can take a little of that diminished power out of the equation (like using a 10-12' rod vs a 5-7' rod), because it takes up way more slack (line distance) with the same amount of arm movement.

[Cajuntec]

Thanks. That makes sense. I do have my drag set light on all these rods. Two of them (7' UL) have braid connected to fluoro. The other two (5' UL and 5'9 ML) are straight (Vicious) mono.

All the best,
Glenn

[NIMROD]

You fishing jigs or live bait ? Hook size ?
We set the hook like they said . Sometimes on a jig we bend hook point out a bit to increase hook ups .

[Cajuntec]

You fishing jigs or live bait ? Hook size ?
We set the hook like they said . Sometimes on a jig we bend hook point out a bit to increase hook ups .

Jigs. Not entirely sure on the hook size, but the jigs are 1/32 oz and something in between 1/32 and 1/16 (they weigh 1/20 oz on my digital scales - don't have the package anymore). I was using some 1/32 oz Berkley Atomic Teasers, and some unknown brand / weight (1/20 oz?) jig heads with Berkley Gulp Alive 2.5" minnows.

[BarryG]

I set the hook like every fish is a big northern pike! I’m almost 70 and I’ve only come up with lips once! Set the Hook!

[DockShootinJack]

A good sharp hook helps. They are just more grabby and need a lot less pressure to get set.

[Cajuntec]

A good sharp hook helps. They are just more grabby and need a lot less pressure to get set.

I'm looking for some excellent quality jig heads right now in 1/48 and 1/64 oz (separate post). Hoping to find something with Gamakatsu, Mustad (Ultra Point quality), VMC, Owner... hooks.
All the best,
Glenn