Timing the Hookset

Went fishing yesterday with a couple of buds. Jigs with spikes or various plastics were the offering and sunnies, perch and crappies were the target. We were marking fish from sunrise to mid afternoon in most holes most of the time. Some fish would bite but most would look at the jig and head back down deeper. And let me say, I am in tune with hook setting on the upstrike so that is not what seemed to be happening yesterday. For reference, I was fishing a TUCR Precision Noodle and sometimes the Bullwhip.

I got to thinking, “these fish are somewhat negative so why not mix up some variables”. Switched colors, sizes, depths, etc. All the usual. Even tried the classic game, “Make em chase it up” with some minor victories here and there. But I couldn’t help feeling like I was leaving a few fish on the ice, as it were.

What really got me thinking was seeing an aggressive fish rocket up from below only to hit the brakes and stare at the jig and then move back down. Since hook sets are free and I was in the mood to experiment, I decided the next fish that comes at this jig hard, I would set the hook as soon as his mark overlaps mine on the Marcum. I was not counting on the rod tip indication whatsoever. Staring at the flasher the whole time.

Well, let me tell you I started catching fish, after fish, after fish. Not every time would produce as I’m sure I missed from time to time, but something was different in the technique. I shared this news with the other two fellas fishing with me and they started setting the hook when the fish mark overlapped jig too. Working for them too! The technique was particularly effective on the crappies. But I did get a few sunnies and perch using this method too.

Anyone else ever fish just their flasher and set the hook via timing instead of looking for an upbite or the classic down tug?

That is really interesting. I’m gonna have to give that a go, so many lookers and not many biters is a frustrating time. Especially when you try every color/bait combination!

Amazing, I had the same problem this weekend, I was fishing crappies and sunnies and they would fly up 3-5 ft and just stop even with my hook and at that time I’m watching my rod tip and nothing would ever happen! Definitely going to try this next time I’m out!

I even found that while they were racing up, I would also be slowly reeling or lifting up to enhance the aggression of the fish. The trick was to leave enough room to actually still set the hook! Ran outta room sometimes. But this adaptation also made a strike visible or felt. But regardless, some combination of hook setting via just the alignment of the marks and making them chase was the winner. And the weren’t small crappies either!

If I were to play armchair fish psychologist, I would survey that once fish got a chance to see the bait clearly, they would reject it. But if you could catch them while they were still in “chase” mode, you could hook em.

To reiterate, this method really only seemed to work on the fish coming in hard and chasing fast. There were plenty of fish still hanging around the jig just looking and rejecting the offering. But once you saw the ones shooting up from below, a slow lift/reel and then once those marks converged on the flasher, WHAM, I’d set the hook regardless if I saw/felt the fish or not. Weird day. I will continue the experiment next weekend!

Our best luck came from 7AM through about 1PM in 11-18 FOW. A nice little flat/point with deep water all around.

I’ve got a buddy who does that all the time for walleyes on LOTW. I keep telling him he needs a better rod, but maybe he’s on to something.

Had the same think happen to me and I switched to a Lindy Darter Glow Red 1/8oz and tipped with a minnow head. Had many more strikes and when they hit the darter they were aggressive and had no problem setting the hook and our size of crappie went dramatically up.

Something was happening. They were most likely quickly hitting it and spitting it out. Your pole won’t indicate that. That’s one of the things I (I am sure everyone) like about fishing. Always having to make adjustments and finding what works. Very rewarding.

Yep..I’ve done that before..
I was using a 22′ extra soft tipped rod…
The tip would not move…but if you set the hook ….bingo..another crappie would come up the hole….

JD Winston wrote:

The trick was to leave enough room to actually still set the hook! Ran outta room sometimes.

When I use this same method and find myself running out of room I adapt. With my off hand, I’ll hook the line with my finger, just beyond the reel and before the first rod eye. Pulling the loop down and towards me raises the bait but not the rod. Now I still have room to set the hook. If I want to drop the bait back down, I simply let the loop of line slip off my finger and the lure floats back down ready for another maneuver.

That’s a real interesting idea. I usually do pretty good with pan fish, but it’s always nice to have another weapon in the arsenal when it’s one of those days. Thanks JD

You becha. It’s a research project for me now. I want to see how often I can replicate the good results and see if I can find the boundaries of the method.

Mudshark wrote:

..
I was using a 22′ extra soft tipped rod…

22ft, wow. That far back from the hole I’d need an extension cord on my transducer. No wonder you never saw the rod tip move!

JD, I had the same type of scenario that weekend, but didn’t try that-wish I would have, ’cause I had lots of that type of action. Fish rocketing up, then slowing up to come even with my lure. The other scenario was trying to work that looker, and then having a crappie slam me coming in from the side-I’d never see that mark till he hit me. All in all a really weird bite; fish were there, the ones that bit generally whacked it good, and the rest were…well, not negative or neutral, just weird. If I run into that this weekend, definitely going to try that. One more little trick to remember…