We’ve all seen it numerous times, and we’ve all been guilty of it just as many times as well.  Setting the hook too soon!  This is a problem that comes mainly when fishing surface lures, and being able to see the fish come up to the waters surface and take the lure.  We all get a little excited and set the hook far too soon!  Fishing for bass is where this problem really surfaces, when using frog or mouse imitations that glide across the surface tantalizing big largemouth and smallmouth bass just below the surface.

The best way to ensure consistent hookups is simply to wait.  When the fish comes up to the surface and grabs that lure, wait until you fully feel the weight of the fish as it begins to bend your rod as it takes off back to the depths from which it came.  Waiting for this ensures that the lure is infact in the fishes mouth, and his mouth has probably closed around the lure.  Only now can we be sure the hook will stay put right in the lip of old mister bucketmouth.

Another scenario you may find problematic hooksets with is when baitfishing.  Sometimes, bites will come in the form of very gentle taps or nibbles.  This type of reaction usually signifies one of two things.  Either smaller fish are interested in your offering, and can’t fit the entire meal in their mouths so they are simply pecking away at it.  On the otherhand, you should’nt be fooled into thinking only smaller fish are interested.  The same reaction comes from larger fish who may already be quite full, or in times of colder weather when the water temperatures drop, fish become lethargic, moving and reacting slower than usual.  The trick here is once again to wait.  If your bobber, float or line begins to move away from where you put it, its probably a good time to set the hook as the bait is most likely in the fishes mouth and he is swimming away with it.  At this point………

SET THE HOOK AND SET IT HARD!

tight lines!