setting the hook

[boater]

when i`m trolling for salmon and my rod goes off, i never set the hook when i pick the thing up, i figure its already hooked so why take a chance of pulling the hook out, does anyone else do it this way ??

[Myfish]

Ask Fishhead Vic,and do just the opposite [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[FishinMission]

Spinners..yes. Bait..no.

[scott98541]

when i'm trolling and the rod goes down i give a little engine goose to keep them tight,then i pick the rod up with a little authority.i usually don't set the hook like when i'm drift fishing or plunking.also fish usually grab the bait and turn when trolling setting the hook themselves.bent rod and screaming drag. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[OneLastCast]

Good post dogsal....er boater.

My buddy is alway setting the hook in the jaws of the Nehalem and we always seem to be loosing fish. With how many hook sets vs fish lost that have happened in my boat it is apparent that at least WEshouldn't be setting the hook. It would be interesting to hear what other people have to say.

OneLastCast

[Jim]

I use Power Pro line..they hit...their hung...you set the hook...you lose...its that simple in my boat.

Jim

[Fin]

While fishing in Alaska, I've had the opportunity to watch salmon take the bait or lure and compare what I was felling on the rod vs what the fish was actually doing.

The fish takes the bait then it appears that he feels the hooks, line or senses something is not correct because the fish begins to back away with a large open mouth. During this process, the rod is bouncing up and down like "Wow, I'm getting a bite!" If I tried to "set the hook" at this time, the results were that I would pull the bait(lure) from the fish's open mouth.

A steady downpull results from the fish turning and beginng to run.(already hooked and no need to "Set the hook")

Have fun!

[Pilar]

I almost never fish hardware, it's always bait. We set the hook with the kicker motor. Any rod buckle is answered with goosing the kicker throttle. When we mooch, I wait for that first tearing run and then use my thumb to put tension on the line.

I never jerk on a salmon anymore, seems like they come unbuckled about 1/2 the time.

Fishing, 'A jerk on one end of a line waiting for a jerk on the other end'

[ 05-06-2001: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[David Johnson]

I agree with Fin,

You must wait for that rod to be bent down without any throb at all. I have my clients wait till I tel them to set and then have them set it, but not too hard, right from the rod holder. I've seen too many fish lost because the angler first took the rod out of the holder and then set the hook, in the procces geving the fish some slack.

You almost never can wait too long fishing bait or plugs. If your out there for one bite you don't want to blow it.

Every fish is going to be different to some degree so you have to learn when the right time is just by looking at the rod action. Some fish take a while, some are on right away.

My oppion.

[Firedog]

I agree with Dave if you have unexperienced people in the boat leave the rod in the holder till the fish is taking line when plug fishing or bait. I personally will hold the rod and when I can feel the weight of the fish I will set the hook.I like feeding them, reminds me of drift fishing and that is my favorite part of it the bite. Hardware as soon as the rod goes down get him before he can spit that spinner or wobbler.