set the hook

new to bass fishing but learned to set the hook when mountain trout
fishing with small flies.

Now have a 21 acre pond within our golf course that no one else fishes so
am spending lots of time learning to catch bass with spinning gear.
Fishing from kayak and using senko 4 inch jerkbait and size 3
hook--should I let bass { 10 to 12 inch } take the bait for awhile ?? Seem
to be missing some strikes a couple of feet down as I have some slack in
line.;-- need help-thanks
Joe McIntosh