question on pink worm - hook set?

[fishyone]

Rock Bottom,
I was using a size 1 Owner with 3/4 of the worm threaded up the line. It was the longer 6" worm, maybe the shorter ones would be better.

These 6 bites were unmistakable steelhead strikes, no bottom. The one that broke me off appeared to be about a 10 pound hen.

fishyone

Try a 4" worm instead because it sounds like you're getting a short strike.
They usually hook themselves on worms.

[First Bite]

fishyone

If I'm fishing a pink worm under a float I like to rig it like this:



I used to run it straight out the back and did miss a few short biters. By pointing the worm up at a 90 degree angle, I have pretty much eliminated any short strikes.

Mark

[Heatmiser]

I've only had hard, deliberate strikes with
pink worms. I rarely fish them under a bobber, though. I prefer to side drift them, especially in colder winter water where the fish tend to hug the bottom. Nearly all of the strikes I've had this winter have felt hung-up, but with an "alive" feeling to it. Most of these fish seemed
to hook themselves. Otherwise, I like to wait a second or two on the hook set so that the fish can turn a little. This allows a good hook set in the roof or corner of the mouth.

Try using a 4" worm that is threaded completely on the leader. I like to let the tail hang off of the leader, but towards the mainline, not towards the hook. I think that this reduces some of the short strikes that you may be feeling.

Hope this helps.

[Dragfreedrift]

Mark and Stew have great advice for you as does Corkie. Fishing is an inexact science!

If fishing a worm by itself under a bobber (ie- no jig), try to use the 4 inchers for a while. See if it helps your batting avg.

the guys in Canada routinely use the 6" worms, but they have lotsa practice!

I wonder if your rod may be a bit too under powered for a nice sweeping hookset? I use a 10.5 footer at a minimum for floatin' worms.

Try reeling down and picking up the slack before ya pop 'em next time. Sometimes the rapid hookset can cause you to miss a fish. But I would not wait too long, just reel down if you see your float get yanked under then sweep the rod up....ZZZZZZZ!!!!!fish on!!!!

HC

[ 01-20-2004, 03:16 PM: Message edited by: half canuck ]

[Fishing Maniac]

I think your problem is too small of hook for the size worm you are using. Since you appear to be getting aggressive bites on the 6 inch worm I would continue using it but increase your hook size to a 1/0 or even a 2/0. Thread your line through the worm and bury the shaft of the hook so just the bend and point are showing. This allows me to use the larger hooks without the whole hook showing. I would also consider increasing you pound test to 12lb or even 15lb test. Unless your fishing a small creek I don't think there are low clear conditions right now and the heavier line will allow you to drive the larger hook home. Also, in the event you hook a pig you've got that extra cusion. Good luck!

[fishyone]

Hi experts,
Tried the pink worm under a float this weekend, for the first serious try.

I had 6 takedowns, 3 of them viscous, two were pretty quick down and up, and 1 was light but kept at it for 1 short bobber dunk and twice porpoising the float .

I only hooked one of these fish, and it broke off my 8lb leader. The others were never hooked.

After thinking about it, there's no reason for them to really hang on to the worm, so you probably need to be pretty quick and keep your line mended pretty well [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] . Unlike fall chinook, where they'll chew on good eggs for awhile if you let them.

Is my thinking askew, are there other opinions of the hook set with the worm?

Thanks in advance

P.S. I had an open-seat, due to a last minute cancellation, which has happened alot lately. I'll post some open seats in the next while, no sense in fishing a boat by yourself!

[rock bottom]

What type of hook set up are you using? If you are using a jig type set up the fish almost always hook themselves. If you are getting light take downs you may be dragging bottom or a smaller trout or smolt may be messing with you. try to shorten up the worm a bit by taking the head portion off. I also think the fish might hold on a little longer due to the spongy feel of the worm. Good luck and keep after it.

[Steelie Steve]

I have not fished the worm under a float yet. I have drift fished for summer runs and the takes have all been very vicious complete with jumps and runs to begin the fight.

My most memorable pink worm take had the fish run 50 to 75 yards downstream, jump, and throw the hook before I had a chance to think about controlling him (or her).

I have yet to have a soft take with the worms.

Steve

[fishyone]

Thanks everyone,

Some great information. Now, I think its time for some "research" on the river! :tongue:

fishyone

[Flatfish]

1- Use maxima leaders. They should not break. If they do, use heavier leader( 8# maxima should not break with traditional steelhead rods). Check the knots too.

2-Trout attack the pinkies. I have caught several Cutts in a row only to be suprised with a bonus steelhead. Trout also miss the hook rather often( little fish+1/0 hook=miss)

I have done better in warm waters( 47 degrees or so) with the pink wigglers than in the colder flows of winter.

Shorten the worm to 3".

Good Luck.

Mark and the dog.

[RichH]

If the 6" worms are working for you I'd stick with them. I took a couple of Canadian folks fishing and they showed me their techinques and they like the 6" worms also. They thread them on head first with the hook bend even with the end of the tail.

I personally like using the 3" seducer little thumpers on a jig and of the fish that have bit, if I'm paying attention :blush: , I have hooked and landed them all. Good luck.

[ 01-21-2004, 08:49 AM: Message edited by: RichH ]

[BUBBA911]

Rich h and i have fished a bit together we both like fishing the 3 to 4 in pinck seducer worms on jig heads, they usually have no problem inhaling them even on 3/0 - 4/0 jig hooks.. and or if you are asleep at the wheel and cant find your bobber that is down.
Try and running a 2 hook shrimp setup if you are going to use the longer 6 inch version with one hook about 1 inch from the tail and another hook in the top 1 to 2 inches. can be deadly effective. good luck and dont give up on them i have had some awsome days on pink jigs/worms.
bubba