Timing the hook-set on soft plastic baits?

[dansfishntales]

I'm much like Johnnie. Then again, as many of you may know, Johnnie and I are good friends, and partners in fishing and seminars.

As for the hook set, when flipping and pitching, which is usually in less than 5 feet of water, I tend to set the hook quicker. However, I use a feel system, which is best described as putting a rod tip under a limb, and lifting. I call it a soft weight feel. When I get this feeling I set the hook.

Now, how did I discover that feel? Well, while flipping one day, I was concentrating so hard on the bait that I forgot to watch where the rod tip was setting. I lifted the rod, got the feel, and set the hook. I then discovered the rod tip was pushing up on a limb. Since that time I use this detection system for all depths, and most of the times if it is there, the fish is stuck.

Another tip, which all anglers know, is to have sharp hooks. I use XPoint and Daiichi hooks, which don't need sharpening. Only one draw back - they also hook the angler, so look out.

Hope this helps.
Dan

[britchie]

Butch while everyone has simialer techniques on setting the hook the best is the one that works for you. The quicker the the better works for me. But there is always that special situation when the fish just won't hold on to the hook. During the spawn is a hard time when the fish are just carring the bait of the nest, their not wanting to eat it. In the past few years the introduction of the wide gap hooks have increased my hook ups. So try this it may help you.

[JoeMo]

Dan- Another solid post! As I think you know, when you mention Flippin' I tend to go on point with all attention on the writer/speaker etc. I doubt that I even love top-water as much as I do Flippin'!

I have a fishing friend who regards Flippin' as unsportsmanlike. I'd love to hand him the rod with a good one about 5' off the rod tip.
His tune would change!

Thanks for the tips. Much obliged.

[jeffohioteam1]

It definatly depends on the time of year, in the spring i give the fish a little bit of time, in the summer the bass are activly feeding and they usually take the whole bait right away, hence set the hook right away. In the early fall same as summer, but when the water really starts to cool down, again you need to wait a little bit. In the cold water periods the bass slow down and so should you, in everthing you do.