Bass Enthusiast - Setting the Hook

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Setting the Hook

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Setting the Hook

To decrease those trophy bass near misses, learn when to set a hook and how to set a hook in the article "Setting the Hook".

Setting the Hook

When to set the hook and how to set the hook are critical and extremely important! Understanding how a bass eats a wild shiner and how a bass bites is of great importance in the hook setting process. There is a difference between the use of a strike indicator and free line techniques when setting the hook. Each is approached with an understanding of how the bass bites and how the bait is fished.

When a strike indicator is used there is a line between the strike indicator and the rod tip. There is another line between the strike indicator and the bait. The necessity is to get one straight line between the reel and the hook. POINT THE ROD TIP AT THE STRIKE INDICATOR! SLOWLY, DELIBERATELY, WIND UP THE SLACK! The angler will notice that the line gets taught and the line moves towards the bass. MOVE THE ROD TIP SO IT IS POINTED STRAIGHT AT THE BASS!

MAINTAIN THE WINDING! The bass will not let go of the shiner as long as the angler maintains pressure. The bass has no reason to spit out the bait unless the angler gives him one. There should be a straight line between the reel and the bass. WHEN YOU FEEL THE BASS! SET THE HOOK - STRAIGHT UP AND OVER YOUR HEAD WITH ALL OF YOUR FORCE!! Once the hook is set the fighting the bass part of the thrill of the catch happens.

Free Line techniques require a little different hook setting method. The most important factor remains that a straight line should exist between the reel and the bass. The bass will usually be swimming away from the angler or to one side. POINT THE ROD TIP AT THE BASS! DO NOT WIND! LET THE BASS GET THE LINE TIGHT! MOVE THE ROD TIP TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE BETWEEN THE REEL AND THE BASS! The line should remain taught at all times. WHEN YOU FEEL THE BASS! SET THE ROD STRAIGHT UP AND OVER YOUR HEAD WITH ALL YOUR FORCE! On occasion the bass will swim at the angler. When this happens it is necessary to wind up the slack. When the bass is swimming toward the angler, then and only then is winding the slack required in the hook setting process.

Winding the line in a free line technique or raising the rod tip to feel will cause the shiner to be released by the bass. The term used by guides to describe what their clients did He reeled the shiner out of the bass s mouth.

Correct hook setting techniques are extremely important. I you hook up with seven of ten bites you are doing perfect!

Carolina Rig hook setting is also unique. The important necessity is a straight line between the rod tip and the bass. Because of current and a weight there are no straight lines (except, maybe, between the weight and the bass). It is necessary to get a straight line before setting the hook. Feeling with the rod tip is an important part of Carolina Rig fishing. When the bite is felt the bass will swim slowly off with the shiner. LET HIM SWIM. HOWEVER,,,,,,,,LET THE BASS PULL THE ROD TIP STRAIGHT. ONCE THIS HAPPENS! SET THE HOOK TO THE SIDE OPOSITE THE DIRECTION OF THE BASS S SWIM.

Keys for the angler are that the bass will not spit out the shiner unless the angler gives the bass a reason; and the line must be straight between the reel, rod tip and the bass before the angler delivers the hook setting attempt. Seven of ten hook ups is perfect. Seven of ten is how many times scientific studies have shown the bass to be successful when attempting to eat swimming food.

Hugh Crumpler