Been losing a lot of spinnerbait fish lately.

How do y'all like to set the hook?

How do y'all work the rod to get the fish to the boat?

I don 't set the hook, the fish hooks itself.

Are you using a trailer hook?  They may be just nipping at the spinnerbait.

I don 't set the hook, the fish hooks itself.

x2.  I see tons of people say they set the hook like crazy, this huge, powerful yank.  But, I find that with spinnerbaits and crankbaits I don't have to really set the hook much at all, just lift and apply pressure is usually enough.  Plus, there's no risk of pulling it out of the mouth.  This is assuming of course that you're using sharp hooks.

With a big solid bait like a spinnerbait, it becomes especially important to always keep a tight line, because it's easy for a bass to throw.

I get the fish about halfway to the boat and it usually gets off.

hold the rod down in the water so it dont jump

As someone else said, the fish usually hooks itself. You are usually reeling in fast enough so that when he strikes at it, the pull of the lure hooks him through.

Whenever I do feel the strike though, I usually pull off to the side, putting a lot of pressure on the fish. That quick little sweep set is usually more than enough to put the entire hook through his lip.

This works for me every time. I don't ever snap off the line and have a little more time to make sure it was a fish that hit it and not that I hit a brush pile or weeds or something.

As someone else said, the fish usually hooks itself. You are usually reeling in fast enough so that when he strikes at it, the pull of the lure hooks him through.

Whenever I do feel the strike though, I usually pull off to the side, putting a lot of pressure on the fish. That quick little sweep set is usually more than enough to put the entire hook through his lip.

This works for me every time. I don't ever snap off the line and have a little more time to make sure it was a fish that hit it and not that I hit a brush pile or weeds or something.

This is right on. I just sweep the rod a little on the side I'm already retrieving it on.

Of course, I'm using braid, too. ;D

As someone else said, the fish usually hooks itself. You are usually reeling in fast enough so that when he strikes at it, the pull of the lure hooks him through.

Whenever I do feel the strike though, I usually pull off to the side, putting a lot of pressure on the fish. That quick little sweep set is usually more than enough to put the entire hook through his lip.

This works for me every time. I don't ever snap off the line and have a little more time to make sure it was a fish that hit it and not that I hit a brush pile or weeds or something.

This is right on. I just sweep the rod a little on the side I'm already retrieving it on.

Of course, I'm using braid, too. ;D

Totally agree. If it feels like the fish is coming up to jump, my rod tip which will be off to the side will now be down towards my feet and off to the side.

I don't know if this happens to you or not, a lot of the times I would feel a fish hit my spinnerbait, but no hook-up. Kill the retrieve and 9 times out of 10 that fish is coming back for the "kill".

What rod are you using (length, power, action)?

6 foot 6 inch MH fast action

maybe try a longer rod. I use a 7' MH fast action rod and little to no hook set is required. also make sure your hooks are sharp I inspect all my lures with a hook file before throwing them, it's pretty surprising how dull some hooks can be right out of the package.

6 foot 6 inch MH fast action

Sounds good, then. I was thinking maybe if your rod was too stiff they may not be inhaling your bait or if it was too limber that's why they were throwing the lure.

Might want to check the hook. Lots of spinnerbait manufacturers cut corners on hooks to save money. Sharpen up the hook or stay with a name brand that uses quality hooks. Either way you need to pay attention to the hook. After you catch one always examine the point and/or run a hone over it.

Like someone already mention, use a trailer hook.

I was using a swimbait as a trailer and took the trailer hook off. I think the trailer helped get me bit in the clearer water. I put the trailer hook back on there and don't think it will hurt the action. I'm also gonna start setting the hook nice and hard on my spinnerbait fish.

I was using a swimbait as a trailer and took the trailer hook off. I think the trailer helped get me bit in the clearer water. I put the trailer hook back on there and don't think it will hurt the action. I'm also gonna start setting the hook nice and hard on my spinnerbait fish.

that's a key piece of info to leave out, and you now know why they're coming off!  They're probably biting the trailer, there's no hook, and eventually they just let it go.  The point of using the trailer hook is to get those short strikes.