Posted 8/9/2008 6:53 PM (#330587) Subject: What is a Good hookset
Posts: 16
Hello Fellow muskynuts
This year I have really had problems with my hookset. Because of this my confidence level has tanked and now I have realized that I am always overthinking the way that I set the hook. And this is really costing me fish big time. I was hoping that some you could share with me the steps that you take to properly set the hook.
Thanks in advance
Tom Boley
Posted 8/9/2008 7:30 PM (#330588 - in reply to #330587) Subject: Re: What is a Good hookset
Posts: 159
Location: Stevens Point, WI
hmm, this will be interesting to me too; I think i'm in the same boat. I've always thought i ought to wait until i feel the weight of the fish and then try to rip its face off. I've lost over half of the fish that have hit this year, and that's not normal...you're not alone!!
Posted 8/9/2008 8:28 PM (#330592 - in reply to #330588) Subject: Re: What is a Good hookset
Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
A good hookset is in the wrist, not shoulders and arms. The idea is to load the blank up and transfer that energy to the hook points while reeling to keep up with fish movement. The only way to do that is to flex that blank straight up against that fish with a tight line...sort of a 'pop' if you will. If you think about it, any other motion won't load the blank, and if you don't load the blank, about all you are doing is tightening the line. I've demonstrated that many times over the years, popping a kitchen chair completely end over end. I think Shep remembers me doing that onstage a couple times...
I learned properly loading up the blank for a hookset from Shag Shahid back a long time ago when he was doing Walleye Weekend and some of the shows with his trick casting show, one of the best with a fishing rod in the world. He was very instrumental in designing modern baitcasting equipment working with Lew Childre. I had one of the first Speed Spool reels on the market...that thing was revolutionary.
My experience, anyway.
An example, from the down position working a walk the dog lure to the hookset while keeping the rod tucked in and setting with the wrist when the fish takes the lure:
Posted 8/9/2008 9:16 PM (#330596 - in reply to #330587) Subject: RE: What is a Good hookset
Posts: 2361
Tom what Sworrall fails to mention is that was his fourth strike that night!! If I remember the intro on the footage that I read the other day, LOL.
You don't always hook up and sometimes there is nothing for it. But a hookset like Sworrall demonstrates will probabaly maximize your hookups. Very nice footage and note the rod snaps up and stays up until the fish is basically being controlled around the boat.
I would add, some baits are poor hookers, you might review what your strikes have come on and think about it.
Posted 8/9/2008 10:20 PM (#330608 - in reply to #330597) Subject: Re: What is a Good hookset
Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN
Steve, I have an observation about hooksets I'd like your comments on.
At night, especially while fishing topwater, an upwards hookset can be pretty dangerous. On those occasions where hook points don't meet flesh the bait comes at the boat and the results can be pretty painful (as some of us can attest.) No one keeps flawless concentration all the time. But, I try to be aware of where my bait is in relation to the probable hookset. I try to position my rod tip so I can make a hookset away from my partner or to the side and down so if the bait breaks loose from the fish or water's surface it will be less likely to enter the area above the gunwale.
Just my thoughts.
p.s. There's an excellent article in a past issue of "Muskie" magazine addressing keeping hooks ultra-sharp. I don't remember which issue. I try to keep an eye on that too. I keep my stone and file right next to my release tools.
Posted 8/9/2008 11:03 PM (#330614 - in reply to #330587) Subject: Re: What is a Good hookset
Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
stephendawg,
Risks of the game, I think. I'm setting the hook the 'right way' no matter...Once the fish is hooked, where the bait ends up is pretty tenuous if it comes out on a jump, etc. That said, no one has ever been hooked in my boat from a hook set missing a fish. I use the double chain saw files to sharpen my hooks into hypodermic needles, and watch that pretty carefully as well.
Posted 8/10/2008 1:14 AM (#330623 - in reply to #330618) Subject: Re: What is a Good hookset
Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL
Hey Steve, I seen you caught at least "1" fish this season (it's on video), Thankfully your lady brings them in, LOL! For me a good hookset is a sweep against the grain (or direction of travel), if that opportunity presents itself. I actually prefer either of two scenerios playing out. Fish hits, and TURNS, 15 - 20' from the boat (BEST), or a figure 8 fish, either way, THEY ARE HOOKED! I seen an earlier post about figure 8 fish, and sad to say, (perhaps not) I'm about 80% on these fish ( the 15 - 20' from the boat would be easier) but, bottom line them figure 8 girls rock! My hookset is a hard body twist (rod tip at waist level usually to the right ) sad part is when I miss Dad is ducking for cover for that bullet flying past, OH WELLLL! , Sorry DAD! should have yelled duck or four or something. Bottom line if they swim at you, well good luck( missed modydick on that one last year), if they offer you the turn, hit them with that baseball bat swing and let her have it!
Posted 8/10/2008 7:41 PM (#330726 - in reply to #330623) Subject: Re: What is a Good hookset
Posts: 4266
My 2 cents.
If you are thinking about your hookset, you are overthinking it.
Steve sets the hook the way he does and has been doing it that way for as long as I've known him. He doesn't think about doing it that way, that's the way he does it. It's a reaction, not a thought process. When I set the hook, I react too, but my hookset has been known to rock the boat and stretch fish
Now that I'm older and have back problems, I don't set as hard, but I still set as fast as I always have. Speed is the key for me. Long rods and no stretch lines mean moving the tip of the rod longer and faster and loading up the rod and moving the lure.....if I can move it.
