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Posts: 19
| I am fairly new to this game, but have had good/bad luck recently...good I've gotten some fish to hit on topwater (prop bait), bad- I can't seem to hook the darn things.
Anyone have any advice on increased hooking percentages? Or is this just par for topwater?
thanks
bcon |
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Posts: 2893
Location: Yahara River Chain | 1) Very sharp hooks - sticky sharp.
2) Don't set until you feel the weight.
are the two main ones.
You didn't say why you were losing them. Were they on? I have had many this year, just plan miss the bait. Either turn away after trying to get the bait or just plain missing. If they were on and you lost them, it seems to me that a muskie going airborne after a hookset will likely throw the hooks. Unless you get those hook buried hard and deep or the other hook comes around and pins her. One other thing, is the bait's hooks able to swing? I know my buddy lost a bunch of fish - even though he played them out 1/2 way back tot he boat and they just came unpinned. It seems when the front eye got twisted that drew the hook hanger into the body, making the front hook rigided and we figured that is why they came unpinned. |
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Posts: 32955
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Most important: Keep reeling until you feel the fish.
One hook set, if you feel the bait slip, one more. |
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Posts: 785
| One other point to consider is trying a slower moving topwater bait such as a hawg wobbler or a creeper. A prop style bait is a great "search lure". I've also missed plenty of fish on this style lure as well, but came back at them with the wobbler and caught fish. I know fishing with a slow moving topwater takes patience,but you gotta do what you gotta do! Kdawg |
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Posts: 19
| Thanks guys.
Yes, most were "misses" as opposed to losing fish. Have tried speeding up if we see fish, that worked once, but other than that seems like they hit the bait closed mouth almost. When it happens, we throw back in with something different, that worked once.
thanks for the ideas
bcon |
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Posts: 2893
Location: Yahara River Chain | Not much you can do when they hit the bait with their mouth closed. I think they might need glasses is why they miss those 
Just keep after em, they will eat........................sometime.
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | 2 pulls in musky fishing ... hint ... fish always gets to pull first. |
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| Wait until you feel the weight...
Herbie used to have me sit in the front seat, with my leg crossed over the rod. When the fish would hit, i could set the hook. Sometimes they'll hit two or three times, but if you keep the bait moving, they'll most often times eat.
Until you get used to "NOT" setting the hook too early, maybe try crossing your leg over the rod! 
Donnie
Edited by Donnie3737 8/27/2007 9:49 AM
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Posts: 31
Location: Hoges Store, VA | I'm glad this came up, I was about to ask a similar question......I've caught a few fish on topwater but have missed, or lost more....the ones that I have a higher percentage at landing are the ones that hit and take it under....the ones that I have lost, ALL of them have stayed on top head shaking and thrashing around.....and I've had a bunch come up and slap at it, or miss it......had one this weekend come totally out of the water and do somersaut over the bait and then came back for it again, but missed it a second time.....is this just the way it goes with top water lures?? |
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Ideally, the fish eats the lure, and takes it under water pulling away from you.
Steve gave good advice, just keep reeling, keep tension on the fish.
Personally, I never "set the hook" on topwater fish, I just reel them inkeeping good pressure on them.
I feel I've lost a lot less fish that actually ate the bait by just reeling them in, and fighting them like any other fish but without ever reefing on them.
When fish want to stay on top, try putting your rod tip under water and just keep reeling slowly. Sometimes this will bring them back under, sometimes not.
Topwaters are without a doubt the most exciting way to fish muskies, but can also be the most frustrating!
JS |
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| Yup, fish just plain miss topwaters a lot, especially walk-the-dog types like jackpots. It's common for a fish to explode 3-4' out of the water and cartwheel over a bait - never opens it's mouth. It's also very common for them to slap at the bait with thier tail. I once had a big fish tail-slap a bait and lauch it right at me into the boat. Darn fish.
If multiple fish are active I switch to another presentation, usually a bucktail, and sometimes they'll eat it. If fish are burried in deep weeds and the only thing that moves them is a walk-the-dog, then I haven't figured out any good options. Moving the bait real slow with a very tight side-to-side gives 'em an easier target, but you can't cover much water that way.
If you do get one to eat and you feel the weight - set the hooks quickly, then get the rod tip down and reel like crazy - try to get 'em swimming - don't let 'em thrash around on th surface.
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Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | I agree with all... wait for the weight.
Perfect the use of your Luhr Jensen hook file.
Oh... and try one with about a 10 mph wind. |
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Posts: 203
| Dont look at the bait ever,, Yeah you don't get to see the strike but you do get to see the fish - IN THE NET!
once you get the hang of it - then start watching the retreive.
Sounds dumb but it has worked for my buddy....
bret |
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Posts: 16
Location: Detroit Lakes | I agree with Johnson. Thats exactly what I had to do. Its still tough to not jerk the rod when they hit at the boat!!! |
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Posts: 19
| Thanks for the advice. I do know to wait to feel the fish... |
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topwater misses