To set or not to set?

Not "just" a question for bass fisherman but, "all" fisherman, whether it's
bass or crappie or stripers. Since I'm new to the fishing scene, I'm trying to
suck up all the information that I can, using this newsgroup (which kicks a**),
books video's, TV etc. One thing that I'm still kinda confused about is setting
a hook. Some people say "let the fish take the bait and run with it a bit and
the hook will set itself." While others sware by setting a hook as soon as they
feel a "nibble." Does the technique change when you fish a different type of
fish or should it be the same for just about anything?

So...in short, should I set the hook or not???

Thanks.

Brian in Maryland

"Brian Spencer" wrote in message
...
Not "just" a question for bass fisherman but, "all" fisherman, whether
it's
bass or crappie or stripers. Since I'm new to the fishing scene, I'm
trying to
suck up all the information that I can, using this newsgroup (which kicks
a**),
books video's, TV etc. One thing that I'm still kinda confused about is
setting
a hook. Some people say "let the fish take the bait and run with it a bit
and
the hook will set itself." While others sware by setting a hook as soon as
they
feel a "nibble." Does the technique change when you fish a different type
of
fish or should it be the same for just about anything?

So...in short, should I set the hook or not???


Brian,
I know I'll probably have a few dissenting views about this, but I have
one theory for all kinds of fish, on all kinds of lures.

Are ya ready? :-)

"Fish don't have hands or feet." I know this seems like a very simplistic
theory, but if you feel something, chances are pretty good the fish has
taken the bait in it's mouth, and you should set the hook as soon as
possible. I got all the proof I needed watching the video "Bigmouth" from
Glenn Lau. I would highly recommend it.

There are some that say when you are fishing you should wait to be certain
that the fish has the hook good. I say, unless you are trying to gut hook
fish, especially with live bait, set the hook quickly... A bass can inhale
and exhale a bait extremely quickly if it feel something isn't right.

Best of luck, and welcome to fishing. You've found a hobby that can last a
lifetime and can be shared with your future generations...

P.S. Check out the group website FAQ, http://www.rofb.net/. There's a
tremendous amount of information in there that might help your early
education. You can also always feel free to ask any more questions you
might have right here!
--
Andrew Kidd
http://www.amiasoft.com/ - Software for the rest of us!
http://www.rofb.net/ - ROFB Newsgroup Home

I fish a lot with minnow plugs. I like to set the hook immediately on a hit. I
find the fish will not be hooked too severely. I intend to release the fish.
I don't wait too long to set the hook also with plastic worms since i do not
want to gut hook the fish.

I'm sure that quite a few of us could tell from the first tap on the line
what species is biting. Not just big fish little fish but a perch from a
crappie or smallie, walleye, LM or muskie, weeds, grass or stone, mud or
sand, fish weight or weed landed drop. Some weeds feel like a bite as you go
up the stem and break leaves off the stem with the hook. Some days a
smallie will bite like a smallie and somedays a smallie will bite like a
walleye, short bite or long bite, you have to lose a few on tissue sets in
order to adjust how to set the hook that particular day. Bites can vary from
location to location on the same lake on the same day. Dusk bite, mid day
bite from dawn bite. Just part of the patterning process. Walleye can be
notorious for this. That's why sticky sharp hooks are always a good idea!
Even different rod actions can be of use for some days when fishing for
bass. I wouldn't use a heavy action rod for walleye while using live bait
just like I wouldn't use a short light action rod for a J&P in a lay down
presentation in the fall for muskie. Some hook sets are just a snap of the
wrist in open water while others need the whole crouch down from seven
o'clock to two o'clock on tippy toes, arms up high and a couple of steps
backwards and reel like crazy in a heavy cover log jam just to get the head
pointed in the right direction to get a thirty pound muskie out of a log
cabin in the fall.
--
Stony

"Brian Spencer" wrote in message
...
Not "just" a question for bass fisherman but, "all" fisherman, whether
it's
bass or crappie or stripers. Since I'm new to the fishing scene, I'm
trying to
suck up all the information that I can, using this newsgroup (which kicks
a**),
books video's, TV etc. One thing that I'm still kinda confused about is
setting
a hook. Some people say "let the fish take the bait and run with it a bit
and
the hook will set itself." While others sware by setting a hook as soon as
they
feel a "nibble." Does the technique change when you fish a different type
of
fish or should it be the same for just about anything?

So...in short, should I set the hook or not???

Thanks.

Brian in Maryland


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"Brian Spencer" wrote in message
...
Not "just" a question for bass fisherman but, "all" fisherman, whether
it's
bass or crappie or stripers. Since I'm new to the fishing scene, I'm
trying to
suck up all the information that I can, using this newsgroup (which kicks
a**),
books video's, TV etc. One thing that I'm still kinda confused about is
setting
a hook. Some people say "let the fish take the bait and run with it a bit
and
the hook will set itself." While others sware by setting a hook as soon as
they
feel a "nibble." Does the technique change when you fish a different type
of
fish or should it be the same for just about anything?

So...in short, should I set the hook or not???

Thanks.

It depends entirely upon the fish and the lure/bait you're using. On days
when you're fishing hardbody lures like spinnerbaits or crankbaits, then you
set the hook as soon as you feel the fish. Wait too long and they'll blow
the lure back out if they haven't hooked themselves.

Soft plastic lures and live baits get a little different. On days when the
fish are very active and taking the bait well, you should set the hook
quickly in order to avoid gut hooking fish.

But...there are days when the fish are not as aggressive and if you set
immediately, you're going to miss fish. I've had days when the fish would
short strike the lures, grabbing just the tails and running a short distance
before taking the rest of the lure (and the hook) into their mouth. If you
set the hook immediately, all you'll do is pull the bait away from the fish.
So on days like this, you have to wait a short bit before hitting them. The
duration of the wait is determined by the fish and how they're taking the
bait.

So, I guess there's no hard and fast answer to your question. You'll find
out soon that while this newsgroup, other internet sites, tv shows, books,
magazines, and videos are a good source of information, sometimes the only
way to really find out is to actually get out there and try it yourself.

Experience is still the best teacher,
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com