When to Set the Hook?????

[EMP]

I've just started holding a rod a few weeks ago and to help myself with a bit of basic knowledge, I've been reading stuff on the internet.

I'm confused as to when to set the hook, when to pull the trigger. Does the line have to get "heavy" continuosly or just a sort of a strong "thud" should make me snap the rod already? And what about "bites" and "nibbles", can we entice stubborn fish who would not "strike" hard on the hook?

Often, I just follow my instinct on pulling the rod.

Thanks everyone.

EMP

[Dan23]

It really depends on the fish and the bait.

What are you targeting?

[kevinchen19870316]

for HB lures: hard strike as soon as feel anything that's not the bottom. ( though troy told me not to strike when breaming as they tend to go back and have another bite and a strike will only spook them)

for SP: hard strike as along as it's not the bottom or nibble.

for bait: i wait till a continous pull from the fish b4 strike. i tend to let the rod tip follow the line for 10-100cm b4 strike depending on the fish, bait, hook placement and current.

[pcsolutionman]

when bait fishing most decent fish should hook themselves, using a sloppy rod helps IMO let the fish put a good bend in the rod before simply lifting the tip, no need for a hard strike

Lee

[Dan23]

Sorry kev but I have to disagree on the softies. I think a sharp but soft strike is much more effective and you watch the line more than anything as the strike usually comes as the lure is floating back down.

With hardbodies the fish more often than not hook themselves and I generally just lift the rod up.

For baitfishing allowing the fish to take the bait as much as possible is best.

Just my opinions though, everyone's different and it varies species to species. Some fish bite and some fish inhale so you have to deal with them differently.

[kevinchen19870316]

dan, i though u were a pro.... i never saw pro just lift the rod gently when a fish took a HB

lol

just stiring

[Cowfish13]

On nearly every fishing show, when bait fiahing, they generally say don't strike until you feel the fish's weight. I think that this meaans don't strike on the little taps, but as soon as you feel the fish swimming with the bait, strike quickly to set the hook.

But it does vary from species to species, the type of line being used (mono or braid/GSP) and the length of line out at the time (in 100m of water, you really need to pull up hard to take out the stretch from mono at that length)

[Dan23]

kevinchen19870316 wrote:

dan, i though u were a pro.... i never saw pro just lift the rod gently when a fish took a HB

lol

just stiring

One day you'll understand how to not yank hooks out of fish's mouths:P

[Feral]

Dont remember the last time I "set a hook" using live bait or lures the fish I chase usually hit hard enough to well and truly be on the hooks.

[Leighton]

depends on a lot of things, you can really lean on a long rod and mono to set a hook and be ok. But if you do the same with a short rod and braid you could end up with fish lips.

The most important thing is to like cowfish said..feel the weight.

it all comes with practice EMP, all fish species bite differently.

I think there is nothing more comical then seeing some rooster jerk his rod bach like they are cracking a whip:woohoo:

[Terry H]

Captain: that all depends on what gear they're using.

If it's mono and a long way out with some big hooks you'd need to really give it a tug back.

Obviously braid is a different story since that has virtually no stretch.

[Kingtin]

i never strike

if the fish is good enoght and big enoght they should ba able to hit hard enoght to set the hooks for you

[kevinchen19870316]

u could've lost 9/10 good size bream without a good strike. i mean, when doing bait fishing.

[Kingtin]

true you do lose some good ones but the hungry or agro ones will hit it good enoght that they set the hooks themself

only problem you need to watch is the odd gut hook but lucky they are just bream and we sure have thousands on them to play with

[Angus]

It also depends what sort of fish you are playing with I think.

For example the bass at Hinze, they hit very hard. But it still pays to raise the rod as you feel the preasure pick up. This will almost ensure a lip hook. Handy as pretty much all fish are released.

Angus

[kevinchen19870316]

Kingtin wrote:

true you do lose some good ones but the hungry or agro ones will hit it good enoght that they set the hooks themself

only problem you need to watch is the odd gut hook but lucky they are just bream and we sure have thousands on them to play with

unfortunately i am not generous enough to let 9/10 nice bream go b4 landing them. lol

where i fish u might not get 100 hits a day so a high hook up rate is essential

[Simon Harmon]

Terry,

If it's mono and a long way out, regardless of hook size, tugging back on the line wont do anything. You have to hope you have done enough preperation, for the fish to hook itself.

[fishyman]

haha terry has some experience with lots of mono out and big hooks...lol

[ScottG]

better do some research before you start laughing at the likes of simon

[viperon1982]

I can attest to that. I remember Terry running back like 50m to set the hook for his record BRC shark. You'd need that for 1km of mono and size 50/0 hooks! hahaha!

[EMP]

Dan23 wrote:

It really depends on the fish and the bait.

What are you targeting?

Actually, I don't target for any particular one. Maybe I should be more specific with my set up and everything?

[EMP]

kevinchen19870316 wrote:

for HB lures: hard strike as soon as feel anything that's not the bottom. ( though troy told me not to strike when breaming as they tend to go back and have another bite and a strike will only spook them)

for SP: hard strike as along as it's not the bottom or nibble.

for bait: i wait till a continous pull from the fish b4 strike. i tend to let the rod tip follow the line for 10-100cm b4 strike depending on the fish, bait, hook placement and current.

Thanks, Kev. Quite helpful.

[EMP]

pcsolutionman wrote:

when bait fishing most decent fish should hook themselves, using a sloppy rod helps IMO let the fish put a good bend in the rod before simply lifting the tip, no need for a hard strike

Lee

Oh ok, so I should settle down when there's a bit of a tap. That explains why I always get nothing when I set the hook prematurely.

[EMP]

Cowfish13 wrote:

On nearly every fishing show, when bait fiahing, they generally say don't strike until you feel the fish's weight. I think that this meaans don't strike on the little taps, but as soon as you feel the fish swimming with the bait, strike quickly to set the hook.

So Cow, what does it mean when "the fish is swimming with the bait"? Does it mean like when it's pulling your line heavily?

[EMP]

Feral wrote:

Dont remember the last time I "set a hook" using live bait or lures the fish I chase usually hit hard enough to well and truly be on the hooks.

Now this is a great info, Feral. So good fish hits hard. Thanks.

[faulked]

why not get your mate girlfriend kid etc to play at being ze fish and get them to simulate nibbles then a fish biting and a fish runing of hard against drag so you can get to feel what to expect and how to react it will also teach you what your gear can take in a dry and cheap enviroment just dont snap your rod :laugh:

[chubbstar]

:laugh: :laugh: Be zee fish, Damn Jase you've got me cracking up about that again.:laugh: :laugh: :blush:

Mate try a few different ways. Let them have a good bite and see what happens or a couple of tugs then have a strike, or open your bail arm and let them run and then strike.

Theres so many ways, trial and error will be your best bet. Remember fishing is fun!! Some you win, Some you loose.

I wish you the best of luck:)

Jayson

[kevinchen19870316]

one thing we all agree is not to strike during the nibbles and short runs.

[fishyman]

ScottG wrote:

better do some research before you start laughing at the likes of simon

i wasnt laughing mate, it was a joke cause i remember beingtolf the exact same story as viperon said that he ran backwards to set the hook.

sorry if i offended

[waldo]

Like the others have implied there are plenty of ifs and buts when trying to answer something like this. Species, tackle, depth blah blah the list goes on. So there isn't really a general right or wrong way to do it.

As a rough guide on a lot of b and b species an increasing bend in your rod is usually worth giving a smack :woohoo:

Fishing the surf with 60m+ of mono out hit any hint of life hard.

At times you might not get even a bite but a feeling (I know it sounds like Im nutso) its almost like wind blowing on your finger and a strike has you coming up tight.

Simple lift and wind, or wind faster can set the hook or induce a strong hit, just takes some experience and trial and error to find what works best for you.

[kevinchen19870316]

yeah, it seems a lot of ppl like winding method but personally i must have been sleeping if i don't give a strike when a fish take my bait.

[Leighton]

At times you might not get even a bite but a feeling (I know it sounds like Im nutso) its almost like wind blowing on your finger and a strike has you coming up tight.

ahh the feeling, sixth sense...:silly:

I know what you mean mate, you're not nuts

[Feral]

EMP wrote:

Feral wrote:

Dont remember the last time I "set a hook" using live bait or lures the fish I chase usually hit hard enough to well and truly be on the hooks.

Now this is a great info, Feral. So good fish hits hard. Thanks.

Should have added I mainly fish for Bass or Barra in Impoundments.

[Terry H]

Simon, ScottG, Eddy,

I wasn't think shark fishing when I made that post. I was thinking of casted baits as this is the sort of fishing I would expect EMP to be doing.

[Simon Harmon]

Terry,

Since when are casted baits a long way out, without the use of a slide etc?

[Malcolm]

Simon Harmon wrote:

Terry,

Since when are casted baits a long way out, without the use of a slide etc?

I guess along way out would be relitive to what you are doing and where you are fishing.

A long way out for a basic little man like me would be 30Mts.

BTW whats a slide?

[kevinchen19870316]

just look at the huge reel in his avator. a long way out might means 300m-500m out for him

[Simon Harmon]

G'day Malcom,

Mono will still respond well over a distance of 30m, especially in lighter lines like the ones EMP is using.

Here is a link on slide fishing mate:

http://lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com/fishing/comments.php?y=06&m=09&entry=entry060911-164022

Cheers,

Simmo

[Malcolm]

Thanks Simmo

[obone]

I'm still having troubles hooking bloody bullies :S

There are some Asian guys near me that consistently catch heaps, and they say just to leave it until it hooks itself rather striking at all?

Joel