New to soft plastic baits. Can't set the hook!!!

[SgtSabre]

I've just started using soft plastic baits for bass. Yesterday, I rigged a tube and threw it into a nearby wet spot. The tube was an old Berkley "Power Bait" and was scented and salted and all that new-fangled stuff to make it taste good to fish. I had a few strikes, but I couldn't seal the deal.

When I would feel the fish "thump" the bait, I would allow the line to go slack, count to two, then try to set the hook. I figured that this would allow the fish to get all of the tube (and therefore the hook) into it's mouth. But when I set the hook, either the fish was not there or I got a couple of seconds of "fight", as if I had him on, then they let go.

So how am I supposed to set the hook with these soft plastic baits? Immediately? Wait longer?

[The Fishing Pollock]

Did you have the hook point buried too deep? Smaller tube. Sounds liek they are mouthing it and then spitting it back out.

[GVSUKUSH]

Did you happen to be fishing where there were Rock Bass?

[E Man]

Set the hook as soon as you feel him take it. Normally fish will gulp the bait rather than just nip at it. If you wait 2 seconds that will give him enough time to spit it out.
Also make sure your hooks are sharp and keep tension on the line when reeling it in.
Practice makes perfect
EO

[RyGuy525]

It might have been bluegill grabbing on to your bait. SOme times the little jerks dont let go even after you set the hook on them.

[GMONEY]

sounds like little fishies:fish:

[thedude]

don't count at all. take up any slack while bringing your rod tip to about waist high and set it home like there's no tomorrow. he's either got it or he doesn't, counting just gives him time to spit it out.

if it felt like several quick taps in succession - that is usually the indicator of panfish or a small bass pecking at the bait. typically bigger bass will not do this so if you don't stick 'em dont worry, it was probably too small of a target.

[fishindude]

also with a tube bait make sure you have a wide gap hook if it's texas rigged. There's too much plastic that the hook point needs to go through and that wont happen if it's not a wide gap

Other wise, set the hook as soon as possible. Don't give them time to spit it out when they realize they don't want to eat it.

[fishon1219]

If you are texas rigging, as stated before a wide gap hook is a must. I almost always use a 4/0 wide gap when texas rigging tubes. If the bite you were feeling was one solid thump and then tension, odds are good it was a bass. The smaller fish feel like a machine gun is shooting at your bait. Instead of the tube try using a 4" finnesse worm. This will up your hook up percentage as well as there is not alot of plastic to get in the way and bass love'em

[shady oaks]

don't count at all. take up any slack while bringing your rod tip to about waist high and set it home like there's no tomorrow. he's either got it or he doesn't, counting just gives him time to spit it out.



:yeahthat: exactly. set that hook like it's your job. just give it hell. this will ensure a good hook (usually) or fling it right back at you if it was a pad or weed ;) .

[big cheapbass]

I'm gonna forward on a slogan from a info-mercial for the ronco rotessierie oven, "SET-IT AND FORGET IT!" When you feel the hit, SET-IT!

[Hammerin' Hank]

Hook sets are FREE!!!! Set the hook!! Like previous posters have told you, if it's a small tap-tap-tap it's usually bluegill/perch/rock bass. Not all the time but most of the time. I've found that rather than feeling the hit you should watch the line, you'll catch more fish. There are many times you'll see the line twitch and/or start moving before any thing is felt thorugh the rod, especially if you're using some of the cheaper rods. Not so much with tubes as with other soft plastics (senkos, power worms).

Sean

[waterfoul]

I fish the crap out of soft plastics!! I set the hook like EVERY fish is a 6 pounder. I've had small fish hit the side of the boat from 20' away! I've had baits zing past my head, hit me on the chest, slap the boat, hit my partner, etc.... but my hookup ratio is pretty high most days too. In short, hammer em as soon as you feel em. As stated before... bigger fish will take the bait whole and move off with it... often you will see your line move before you feel anything. Just this past Wed. night at a tournament my 15 y.o. partner tossed his senko out and let it sink... at the same moment he yawned and did a big stretch... I saw his line take off and yelled "set the hook" which he did. 16" bass. He trusted me enough to know I wouldn't steer him wrong. Now, if we could get him to go to bed earlier so he's not yawning at 7:00 pm!! LOL!!

[jstfish48162]

try senko style baits rigged wacky-style. very little effort involved in using them, and the fish will hold them. just toss them around weedlines, pontoons, lilypads, etc. you can also rig them texas style with no weight and they work just as well as tubes, if not better in some cases.

[slowpoke]

Could be your rod is not stiff enough. I like to use a fast 6 and 1/2 foot rod. The line stretch might be your problem.Try fire line or spider wire and put fluorocarbon on as a leader, you can jerk them end for end. Try fluorocarbon line also, not much line stretch . Good luck.

[SgtSabre]

Problem solved.

I used a stiffer rod and set the hook immediately. Much better.

I appreciate all of the advice.