Hook Set Technique? 2024
Joedodge reply :
So I was watching g some Randal Tharp and it Kenney vids on you tube. I'm using stout rods and braid line. And feel I have a fairly aggressive hook set. But man am I doin something wrong by not having a raging aggressive hook set lol
Matthew2000 reply :
On 2/20/2015 at 7:31 AM, Joedodge said:So I was watching g some Randal Tharp and it Kenney vids on you tube. I'm using stout rods and braid line. And feel I have a fairly aggressive hook set. But man am I doin something wrong by not having a raging aggressive hook set lol
No as long as your using the right line, hook, and rod combo. You shouldn't have to try and break the fishes jaw. I reel down then make a quick pull and don't lose many at all.
Joedodge reply :
I've been loosing some so I was watching some vids trying to improve and was just amazed man! They flat winch them fish lol
lecisnith reply :
I've often felt the same thing. I was especially concerned when I started using right handed baitcasters because my left arm is about as powerful as my five-year-old niece's. But I didn't seem to have too many issues with hookset ratios after the switch, may even have been better. I guess time will tell this year when I dig a little further into my repertoire...
gardnerjigman reply :
My hook set depends on technique I'm fishing. Jig, t rig, shaky head etc I'm swinging for the fences... Especially if I'm deep.
Moving baits are more of a sweeping motion and usually a few of them as I'm reeling them in.
Top water is usually a pretty stout one too.
Thornback reply :
"If you ain't losing then you are cruising." Do what works best for your technique. But if you're losing 'em then you need to put more muscle in it and maybe reel her in faster. When fishing a plastic worm I do a hard hook set but when I'm fishing with shiners I try to break the rod. I use #40 braded and have never had a line break and can't remember the last time a bass threw my hook.
Bruce424 reply :
On 2/20/2015 at 7:31 AM, Joedodge said:So I was watching g some Randal Tharp and it Kenney vids on you tube. I'm using stout rods and braid line. And feel I have a fairly aggressive hook set. But man am I doin something wrong by not having a raging aggressive hook set lol
No definite not. Hooks are sharp you'll be fine. I set the hook with barely a flick of the wrist. Well a little more than that but it's not very hard at all.
WRB reply :
Your goal with a hook set is.....penetrating the hook point beyond the barb, then controlling the bass.
The hook set and rod position needs to perform that task every time you detect a strike.
Your rod flex, line type and test combined with the hook wire diamter, size and sharpness determines the force needed to penetrate the point beyond the barb. How you do that becomes a personal technique that each angler develops and has confidence with.
Too much force may break the line or tear out the hook from soft flesh, too little and the bass may shake the hook loose.
What works for me may not work for you.
When the bass are over 50 feet away and the line angle is more horizontal my technique is the reel set with a firm rod sweep. If the bass is closer and more verticle line angle I use a snap set, with very few exceptions.
Tom
Crappiebasser reply :
Too hard a hook set can rip the fish's mouth and allow it to get off as easily as a weak set. If you have braid and sharp hooks just a little flick is all that's needed.
Mainebass1984 reply :
I set the hook pretty hard. Not only am I getting great hook penetration I also am pulling that fish 2 feet away from the structure/cover with the hook set. I would rather set the hook a little too hard then not hard enough. I never worry about setting the hook to hard. If I rear back and set the hook with emphasis it is coming in the boat especially fishing a jig, frog, or worm.
everythingthatswims reply :
No matter how well you play your cards, fish can always spit the hook. Even if you split their head wide open with a 5/0 flipping hook and 65lb braid.
RoLo reply :
It's true, some of the TV hook-sets are definitely overkill (past high noon!).
I've set the hook on some pretty big tuna and sharks with less ferocity 
Then again, not every televised angler is using braid, and stretchy mono requires a 'much longer' rod stroke.
Roger
EvanT123 reply :
A fishermans best friend.
Seriously though Ive never really had a problem setting the hook. I don't really fish heavy duty hooks. I feel the fish or feel some thing off, crank the handle, lean back and lift the rod to 12 o'clock and the fish is hooked. This is one motion and can take some practice but works for me.
Fishinthefish reply :
I prefer a sweeping hook set followed by a solid pop as I start to reel to ensure its past the barb. In my opinion far fewer knot or line breaks plus you don't rip it out of the fishes mouth.
papajoe222 reply :
When I'm teaching a beginner how to set the hook when using an articificial bait, this is what I tell them: When you detect a hit, drop your rod tip (if it isn't already down) and reel up the slack at the same time, then just bring your thumbs up to your chest as quickly as you can. If they actually are able to complete the manuver, they either missed the fish or never had a fish take the lure. I also teach them to always be facing where the lure entered the water.
That, to me is a basic hook set and if your fish become unbuttoned, you're either giving them slack during the fight, or your equipment (line or rod) is to blame. Rod tip speed and the amount of line you move during the hook set, IMO, are the keys to success.
When 5 1/2ft. broomstick rods and stretchy mono were what was being used for worm fishing, a lot of fish were lost because not enough line could be moved to overcome the stretch of the mono. IMO, that is when a 'cross their eyes' hook set mentality began. Some of the pros were using heavy mono to reduce that factor and the rod industry soon after started offering longer rods, but that hook set remained.
scaleface reply :
Then theres the times when you reel down to get a good hookset and the fish is swimming at you. So you reel in the slack and try it again and again . lol
DocNsanE reply :
it would help to know what technique you are have trouble with.
As other have pointed out, the rod, line and hook will vary the technique you should use for your hookset. If you're using a heavy wire hook and fishing with a ML rod, you're going to have a hard time setting the hook regardless of how hard you smash it.
In your case you mentioned a stout rod and braided line. If you are fishing trible hooks, you're going to want to be careful with the way you set the hook.
In general, worm hooks and jigs I'll set the hook pretty hard in an upwards motion. Carolina rig I'll use more of a sweeping motion. Treble hooks I'll reel it in and sweep gently.
The main thing to remember is to never set the hook with slack line. Reel in that slack before you set the hook otherwise you'll probably end up jerking the hook out of the fishes mouth.
paul. reply :
i set the hook so hard on a bass that her fry hatch with sore mouths.
Catt reply :
Where's my hip boots! 
Joedodge reply :
Lol thanks for all the help everyone. Equipment isn't the issue its the i Dian lol. I'm using mostly medium fast action 7 foot rods, 15 pound braid, vcm weighted 3/0 swim bait or Gammy hooks. Mostly fish soft plastics and swim baits usually. I feel I have a decent hook set, just figured I could always improve as lately I have had some fish shaking the hook.
TrippyJai reply :
On 2/20/2015 at 9:18 AM, Crappiebasser said:Too hard a hook set can rip the fish's mouth and allow it to get off as easily as a weak set. If you have braid and sharp hooks just a little flick is all that's needed.
I agree with this.
There is no need for violent hook sets. Reel in the slack and set the hook. Keep tight pressure and if the hook didn't penetrate pass the barb, it will eventually during the fight. Rarely does my hook sets pass the barb. Sharp hooks are more important. How many times have we've seen the hook fall right out of the fishes mouth after you land them?
BassinLou reply :
On 2/21/2015 at 7:22 AM, Joedodge said:Lol thanks for all the help everyone. Equipment isn't the issue its the i Dian lol. I'm using mostly medium fast action 7 foot rods, 15 pound braid, vcm weighted 3/0 swim bait or Gammy hooks. Mostly fish soft plastics and swim baits usually. I feel I have a decent hook set, just figured I could always improve as lately I have had some fish shaking the hook.
Hooksets are determined by technique and equipment that are being used. JDodge will I exagerrate my hookset with the set up you presented in your post? Absolutely not. With 15lb braid, you run a high risk having snapping your braid. The set up you have there is not meant to be used for hard hooksets. Some techniques do require pretty hard hooksets. For example when using jigs or frog fishing just to name a few. Yes, you have to employ strong hooksets to ensure sticking the fish. However, some anglers take hooksets to an extreme. To each their own.
Darren. reply :
Typically reel down, lower rod tip, lift.
If using heavier hooks like on a jig, it is
all relative to the situation. I will do a
quick lift, but never a massive hookset
like I see so often on TV. Just me and
my preference. Not that there's anything
wrong with it. Excitement is always
part of the hook-setting equation, soooo.....
Joedodge reply :
Thanks bassin lou, I didn't think there was any reason to. Thanks for all the replys everyone! Just an interesting topic to discuss. I hope to get on some fish with frogs this spring lol
kikstand454 reply :
On 2/20/2015 at 10:41 PM, papajoe222 said:When I'm teaching a beginner how to set the hook when using an articificial bait, this is what I tell them: When you detect a hit, drop your rod tip (if it isn't already down) and reel up the slack at the same time, then just bring your thumbs up to your chest as quickly as you can. If they actually are able to complete the manuver, they either missed the fish or never had a fish take the lure. I also teach them to always be facing where the lure entered the water.
That, to me is a basic hook set and if your fish become unbuttoned, you're either giving them slack during the fight, or your equipment (line or rod) is to blame. Rod tip speed and the amount of line you move during the hook set, IMO, are the keys to success.
When 5 1/2ft. broomstick rods and stretchy mono were what was being used for worm fishing, a lot of fish were lost because not enough line could be moved to overcome the stretch of the mono. IMO, that is when a 'cross their eyes' hook set mentality began. Some of the pros were using heavy mono to reduce that factor and the rod industry soon after started offering longer rods, but that hook set remained.
I agree with this 100%.
DrKnew reply :
I fish with a friend that absolutely rips the bass lips off.......I cringe when I know a hook set is coming....He usually fishes with a seven inch power worm rigged Texas style. I pity the poor fish he catches. I normally use a sweep set with good results, and think that with the exception of heavy weed cover jigs or frogs, there is no need for an eye crossing hook set , as long as your hook is sharp.
BassinLou reply :
On 2/21/2015 at 7:57 AM, Joedodge said:Thanks bassin lou, I didn't think there was any reason to. Thanks for all the replys everyone! Just an interesting topic to discuss. I hope to get on some fish with frogs this spring lol
Good luck this Spring. The fishing in the next couple months is definitely going to improve here in FL. 
Joedodge reply :
Woooooo I can't wait
Josh Smith reply :
It depends how I set the hook.
Generally, though, I'm fishing in deep cover and I assume I'm driving a dulled hook (from beating up against stuff) through a bass's beak.
Moving topwater and crankbaits I usually don't set the hook; maybe give it a little extra tug, but that's it.
Josh
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/22/2015 at 12:12 AM, Josh Smith said:Generally, though, I'm fishing in deep cover and I assume I'm driving a dulled hook (from beating up against stuff) through a bass's beak.
Sharpen it or throw it away.
Josh Smith reply :
On 2/22/2015 at 1:12 AM, roadwarrior said:Sharpen it or throw it away.
No, I mean from just that cast.
There are times I fish in stuff so thick that I sharpen the hooks after each retrieve. Big ol' bass in the thick stuff usually.
Josh
WRB reply :
If the OP is using 15 lb braid indicates using spinning tackle?
Most spinning reels are used with medium power rods or maybe a med/hvy. Trying get a good hook set with a heavy wire keel weight hook in a hollowbody style swimbait with spinning tackle could be a problem. The bass holds onto soft plastics and you need to drive the hook point through it and into the mouth tissue. A trick with soft body swimbaits is to pause and let the bass turn away before hook setting with a force similar to a weedless plastic worm hook set and setting the reel drag to about 4 lbs.
Tom
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