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Posts: 139
Location: Slippery Rock, PA | How many guys here set the hook multiple times on a fish? Lately, I've been loosing fish that I thought I got the hooks in pretty good. It's only been on one particular type of lure, a rapala super shad rap. I've lost 5 fish in the past two weeks and lost my biggest ever today. I'm fishing braid and most of the fish toss the lure when they first come up to the surface. A couple of them have jumped and threw the hooks. Should I hammer them again or just stay with the one hookset? Thanks! |
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Posts: 1308
Location: WI | I'd hammer them again. You sharpen your hooks right? |
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Posts: 375
Location: Browerville, Minnesota | Give 'em the old Linder hookset. Set it once, reel down tight, and give it to her again! |
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Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander. | What type of action does the rod have that use. I think that some of us have gotten to much longer and more light action rods. With rods like that you may not get hooks into the fish with 1 set. Also wnder if your drag is slipping?
Pfeiff |
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Posts: 2331
Location: SE, WI. | First thing you should do is change the hooks on the shad rap. They have a small gap and are very beefy. Go to a wider gap hook, like a vmc or a L 774 eagle claw hook like reef hawg uses. Then get a file, and make sure you sharpen the barb slightly for better penetration. One hook set is all you need if you keep a tight line and use a longer rod with some flex...Hope this helps;-)
Edited by jdsplasher 6/25/2007 6:57 AM
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Posts: 2893
Location: Yahara River Chain | jdsplasher has nailed your problem "First thing you should do is change the hooks on the shad rap. They have a small gap and are very beefy. Go to a wider gap hook, like a vmc or a L 774 eagle claw hook like reef hawg uses."
I always change my front hook to a 5/0 Mustad hook on my Super Shad Raps. I don't bother with the rear hook as they always hit the front of the bait, but if it makes you feel better change that was well. Just make sure that rear hook isn't too big that it tangles with the front hook. Personally, i prefer the front hook bigger as that the one that they hit the most.
Of course as stated - sharpen those hooks! |
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | ditto, change the hooks!!!
took the words out of my mouth |
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| Did not. They were my words.  |
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Posts: 8863
| Two!
One to actually penetrate the bony mouth structure of the fish, and a second one to make the hole big enough so you lose the fish before it gets to the net.
Saves you from getting your hands all slimy... 
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | One hookset, nothing good can happen on the second. Lots of times a second attempt at a hookset will create a slack line situation. You are much more likely to lose a fish to slack line than you are from a marginal hookset.
I view the hooks in a musky's mouth much like a grappling hook. You may not get penetration on the initial hookset, but a sharp, sticky hook will stay put as long as there is tension on the fish. How many times have you gotten a fish in the net, and the hooks fall out as soon as they are given slack line? I try to avoid slack at all costs....one hook set for me!
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | One hookset, nothing good can happen on the second. Lots of times a second attempt at a hookset will create a slack line situation. You are much more likely to lose a fish to slack line than you are from a marginal hookset.
I view the hooks in a musky's mouth much like a grappling hook. You may not get penetration on the initial hookset, but a sharp, sticky hook will stay put as long as there is tension on the fish. How many times have you gotten a fish in the net, and the hooks fall out as soon as they are given slack line? I try to avoid slack at all costs....one hook set for me!
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Posts: 382
| Give them the "Tuna Pump"!! Multiple hooksets in lighting quick time! |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | I agree with Norm, a second hookset will just create an opportunity for the fish to get off. Don't give it any slack. |
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| I'd have to disagree with some...no need to tuna pump...one good solid swing of the body rod while reeling like a mo fo to pick up any slack created by the fish is all you need..let the hooks/rod and fish do the setting for you....imo.
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Posts: 89
| One good one and then it's all about tension. It's the dance between me and that fish that makes it for me. It pulls, you give, you take, it tugs, maintaining the connection all the while. It's a ballet except one player has a set of incredibly sharp hooks in its mouth and ain't wearin' a foo-foo. You're not gonna see that on any stage. |
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Posts: 136
| One and done. In my opinion you don't have to give it everything you've got even though on plenty of occasions I have. If you have sharp hooks and load the road hard the fish will do the rest. Big thing is to get the fish moving and keep her head down. |
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| Only one, or you risk losing the fish from undoing the hook penetration |
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Posts: 129
| I agree with one. I used to set the hook twice, but it seemed like I lost more fish that way. |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | I set the hooks on a musky once. Oh, wait, twice. Once on Eagle and once on Okauchee.
I'd like to try it again sometime.
Kevin
My skin is cooling. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Burlington, WI | One.
I agree with what some of you have said that with the second hookset more bad things will happen than good. No one has mentioned to make sure your drag isn't completely locked down. I've lost quite a few fish in the last couple of years because I think I had my drag set too tight, and I actually ripped the hooks right out of the fish. Maybe I don't need to set the hook as hard either, but i usually go by the saying "either break your line or break the fish's jaw", but I definitely think considering where your drag is at is probably more important than two hooksets. |
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Posts: 80
| One is all anyone needs, with no stretch super lines and fast graphite rods our hooksets are 3xs what are fathers and grandfathers were. Like all the other wise gentlemen stated the odds are against you on the 2nd one, to many factors. One thing is do you have that slippery superline taped to the spool or mono backer on? The stuff likes to spin on the spool if not giving the false assumption of a slipping drag. Good Luck. |
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Posts: 139
Location: Slippery Rock, PA | A follow up to some questions. Yes, I got mono on as backing and I'm throwing the lure on a 6 foot heavy action rod. My drag isn't slipping. I've lost one small fish at the boat that jumped and threw the back hook. The others, I've set the hook hard and it seems that as soon as the fish comes up it pops out. These fish aren't jumping, but just coming up to the surface. I'm going to change out the hooks and see if that helps. Thanks! |
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Posts: 2331
Location: SE, WI. | Buddy; Invest in a good quality rod in the lenght of 7' 6" or 8 '. Or even a 8,6" lamiglas. Your losing fish will come to a end for the most part. I believe the problem rely lies in your short pool que type rod. The flex in the rod is what keeps the line taught!!! JIM:-O |
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Posts: 485
Location: On my favorite lake! | One hookset is all you need especially with the superbraid. |
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Posts: 785
| If on your first hookset you feel good weight with solid bend in your rod you are good to go, HOWEVER with jerkbaits and twichbaits you often times have your rod pulled off to the side so when you set the hook on the "twitch" you don't get the full swing, in this situation reel up the line keeping it tight and then hit em' again. If you have no slack in the line when you do this the hookset should come tight with no slack added... unless it a 20"er that just drags through the water!
I usually go for two and have had good sucess, the only problem with this isn't typically slack but the possibility of openening up a bigger hole in the fishes mouth for the hook to come out of. |
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Posts: 419
Location: Appleton, WI | Ditto on the the longer rod. I use to use a 6 footer many moons ago and I definitely lost more fish on it than the longer rod. This is especially true now days with the superbraids. They have very little stretch and that can actually work against you with a short stiff rod. The longer rod will act as a shock absorber and maintain more tension on the fish. Look how well flyrods usually maintain a hooked fish (I could go on in on, but you probably get my point).
Also as has already been said setting the drag is also crucial. If you do decide to cinch it tight than be ready to free spool and use your thumb as a break. I've had some bad luck at times though with a fish at boatside, and making a sudden rush with hooks pulling out because of too much tension. So I've backed off slightly on the drag and just break the spool with my thumb on the hookset. I know I'm taking a risk flattening out my thumbs, but if the fish will break them it must be a good one!!!
Fish will get hooked and brought to the boat and some will get off. That's just the nature of the beast. Just be happy that you were able to contact that fish. It always sucks loosing a large fish, but it make it that much better when you finally are successful landing a big one.
catch ya later,
Krappie |
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Posts: 5
| IN SHALLOW WATER I WOULD SUGGEST ONLY ONCE KEEP YOUR TIP DOWN AND BE READY TO FREESPOOL. IN OPEN WATER IF THE FISH TURNS AND RUNS DEEP I WILL SOMETIMES SET A SECOND TIME.IF THE FISH IS FACING ME NEVER. |
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Posts: 39
| 1. One set
2. Get rid of the mono and replace with Power Pro
3. Get a longer rod (I like a 6'9" jerkbait rod and an 8' for bucktails/topwater) |
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Posts: 921
Location: Apollo, PA | Once, twice, three times a lady........ |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | "I'm fishing braid and most of the fish toss the lure when they first come up to the surface."
- I really don't think the fish is hooked up. They are simply opening their yap when they surface. With hard plastic lures or soft plastic lures like Bulldog's or Alien's they can clamp down on the lure and you can't move the hooks unless you have a super stiff short rod, and really put your whole body into the hookset.
( The Steve W. chair trick)
Most guy's don't back off the drag after the initial hookset, so now the fish is facing you when it surfaces, i.e. because it has no chance to turn away from you! Now when she opens her yap and the lure comes out.
Backing off the drag immediately after the hookset with the rod tip up does two things, i.e., it allows the fish to turn and swim away and when she opens her yap she finally gets hooked up, i.e. in the corner of the mouth or the side of the head as the lure comes out....... Just a thought -works for me!
Have fun!
Al |
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| I think a hard hook-set, ONCE, works well. Major issue is an awesome bend in the rod...make sure there is a good bend in the rod, and the rod is kept high, unless it is right at the boat, and then that's a whole new situation.
Back when we were using 6' rods, and heavy mono, or some type of stretching dacron, you could get away with the short stiff rods. With today's rope, you need some give. As well, with a good bend in the rod AFTER the hook-set, as mentioned in this thread, the hooks will slide if you've not moved them on the hook-set.
So, once and done is my opinion!!
Donnie
Edited by Donnie3737 8/7/2007 12:01 PM
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Posts: 457
| Depends on the bait that I am throwing. Reaction type baits, one solid sharp set. Throwing bucktails, 90% of the time I will just sweep to the side (usually my right dunno why) in a fashion that isn't sharp, but powerful and steady, all the while reeling like mad to make sure there is no slack.
As others have indicated, I am not a proponent of a multiple set. There are rare occasions, very rare, that I will double up. If the fish, for instance, is running to me(that NEVER happens right?) I will double up if I felt slack on the first set. For the most part, single. |
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Posts: 734
Location: Watertown, MN | One good sweeping hook set, sharp hooks, biggest problem is the 6' rod, longer rod like 7'6" to 8'6'" with solid backbone and fast action tip will let you absord more slack in the fight and reduce the chance of the fish getting slack line when go airborne, keeping good tension is the biggest thing, soon as any slack, they find a way to get rid of the hooks. I would change out the hooks on the shad raps, not the best hook on the bait off the shelf.
good luck
Troyz |
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Posts: 1636
| This is almost as funny as someone telling someone they need to analyze their hookset if they are losing fish. If you think you got a good hookset the first time, its all gravy. nwild pointed out a good reason not to give a second hookset, but if you feel like you need to give another...then do it. You really don't have much time to think. Hopefully you have good reaction time and instinct Either way, you are going to lose fish
Edited by Reelwise 8/7/2007 1:57 PM
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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | once is enough and frankly there are times that I wonder how much it matters. People talk about big power sets but in reality few actually do it and we know that even hardest sets really don't deliver all that much power. just my opinion and I don't consider myself a power setter at all. I hit 'em once but it's just an instinctive reaction to the action. I don't consciously think "I am going to nail this thing". If I hook up, I don't lose many fish. One thing I try to do it set across my body. This an adjustment I made a few years ago and it's helped. Bucher had an article about that in MHM a while back.
what is more important is your ability to play the fish once it's on. Proper gear, good hands and a presence of mind in the moment to recognize what is happening.
if you have decent sharp hooks, they hook themselves and all you need to do is keep tension. a longer rod makes that easier. if the fish is coming to the top, then get that rod tip down even if that means you're on your knees like in a deep fig 8. You want that head in the water at all times especially with heavier lures. If that fish wants to go to the back of the boat, you go with it. I run a lot of laps around a boat, I don't try to keep my position. need to keep a clean boat so you don't trip and kill yourself!
Because I don't consider myself a power setter, I fish with a tight drag to give me an edge but I back it off as soon as I can so that the fish can go where it wants like Al mentioned earlier.
The worst thing is you don't back it off and you are toe to toe at the boat, the fish rockets straight away on a tight drag, goes airborne because it has no choice as you are not paying out line. game over. get that drag adjusted asap. also, I palm my reel and use rods with long butt handles so I can keep stable tension while I am making the adjustments.
above all else, sometimes fish get off no matter what you do. unfortunately the agony of defeat is necessary. without it, there is no thrill of victory.
Hope this helps and good luck,
Jono
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Posts: 2361
| I think the whole argument is overrated. Getting a good heavy weight is what you are trying for. If it takes two times do it. If you get it right away, you are probably all right.
I used to spend a lot of time worrying about stuff like this. |
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Posts: 2024
| Reelwise - 8/7/2007 1:54 PM
This is almost as funny as someone telling someone they need to analyze their hookset if they are losing fish. QUOTE]
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Amen, brother.
Bottom line, do what feels comfortable. This is the same debate as "should I freespool or use my drag" and the same answer applies to this question. Do what you have confidence in.
The fish determines how well the hook is "set" 90% of the time. The real question is how well you handle fighting the fish. The really good fishermen lose few fish because they don't screw up during the fight.
Just fish...
Edited by esox50 8/7/2007 8:56 PM
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Posts: 359
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Al, that is an outstanding point you make. |
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Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL | For me this depends on the bait I'm using, for bucktails once, for cranks or softbaits twice. The use of a longer more limber rod and superline usually helps a lot. Also remember if you are going to hit em again wait till he turns away from you. As far as hooks go 3/0 or larger and razor sharp. I loose very few fish that taste the hooks by using these methods. |
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Posts: 39
| This is for the guys talking about backing off of the drag.... I am trying to figure out the physics of backing off the drag while keeping a tight line at the same time. Isnt possible that the fish will move and create slack line while you a messing with the drag? I am just curious to hear more detail on how you make this work.
Edited by Believer 8/10/2007 11:13 AM
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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Believer, I use my thumb to keep tension while I'm adjusting the drag so if I do overshoot, I still have instant tension control. I've never had a slack line situation. If I can't get the drag loose and need to give line right away, I'll free spool and let my thumb act as the drag. Long rods and palming the reel makes this easy for me to do. Others results may vary I suppose.
Jono |
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| One strong hookset is enough, and only a second attempt is necessary if you missed the first |
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Posts: 69
| Manta18 - 6/25/2007 4:27 AM
Give 'em the old Linder hookset. Set it once, reel down tight, and give it to her again!
Yep.There's many times,especially working lures like Mantas,I've not got tight lines,and feel the second hookset is the one getting it done. |
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| It all depends on everything and every persons ability.
Small hooks usually once,large hooks usually more.
Natural ability or talent can be everything or nothing.
How the fish hits the bait will determine what you will do next without thinking.
No set rules for every one,were all different. |
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I don't "set the hook" per se at all. When I have a hit, I lean into it a bit and just start to reel.
The drag is fairly tight, but as Jono mentioned, backed off very quickly to allow the fish to swim as it needs to.
In the case of a boatside hit, once I feel the pressure of the fish, I let off the drag and let her swim away.
Works for me, I consider my landing % to be very good in comparison to those I fish with.
Let the fish eat the bait, sharp hooks that aren't oversized grab easily and hold well if YOU don't rip them out.
JS |
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One hookset or two