Two things I can think of to try. One would be that once you set the
hook on a long cast, set the hook with a strong pull along with quickly
reeling rather than a flipping type hookset whre you really haul back.
This may help stop some tearing.
The second thing is your hook. I know that offset hook is popular with
many anglers, but I have found that that extra bend that keeps the bait
from sliding down the hook also will start to blow the fish's mouth
open as the hook is set. When carolina rigging or most soft plastic
fishing for that matter with a few exceptions, I have switched to using
a straight shank hook! It works much better than if you are fishing
that Senko on top with a twitch action. The slow pulls with the
carolina will not be so apt to pull the bait down the hook. Pegging
through the hook eye and nose of the bait with a tooth pick will also
help a lot if your bait tends to bunch up on the cast. If necessary,
fishing glue applid to this area will help alot. When I first started
fishing the upper level of tournaments, I ran into very much the same
problem and was helped out by the big boys. Also consider the size of
your hook. The bait you are fishing should fit 3 times in the bend of
the hook between the straight shank and the barb of the hook.
|