Was out yesterday, flipped a fat ika into pads and hooked into a NICE fish! I brought it right up to the net and saw it! Saw it shake the hook out too  Now I know setting a hook through all that plastic can be a problem.....but coupled with that I have a weak hookset. I use circle hooks whenever I can and lever the butt of my rod to get some force. Is there another way to improve my hook set? Thanks!

Are you doing a standard Texas rig or Texposed? A Texposed rigged bait will be nearly as weedless and will be much easier to set the hook into the fish. Braided line and a sharp hook will also help you drive the hook home. 

Snap-set:

 

When you detect a bite lower your rod while reeling down quickly.

Snap your wrist without moving your arm up. Maintain pressure,

reel quickly and raise your rod tip to 11:00. The fish will drive the

hook deeper. DO NOT double set.

 

Don't skimp on hooks, sharp points are a requirement.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/124511-your-ideal-hookset-for-t-rigs-jigs/

Straight Shank Round Bend Hooks!

They have a higher percentage of hook ups than any offset or EWG.

If you're going to flip, get flipping hooks and snell them.

If you are using circle hooks you should not be setting the hook at all. Just reel keeping steady tension until the hook catches. Circle hooks are not intended for conventional hooksets.

When I saw your heading I knew exactly how to advise you until I saw all the answers given already.

 

Now I can't...

 

 

 

 

Mike

You don't say what kind of line you are using. Braided lines, with almost no stretch, will transfer all of your hook set movement right to the fish. 

If you are using circle hooks you should not be setting the hook at all. Just reel keeping steady tension until the hook catches. Circle hooks are not intended for conventional hooksets.

 

Yep, maybe I misunderstood the question. If you are setting the hook with a circle hook you will miss nearly EVERY fish.

I fish minnows on the Tennessee River exclusively with Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks. My partners and I always try 

to introduce newbies to the hooks, but a lot of bass fisherman just can't keep from using a traditional set. So, we carry

bait hooks, too!

Dwight set it all. Never set using circle hooks..

Came home from a pretty little lake in Bath Maine (Nequasett) just now and ran to my computer to see all the terrific advice here! Lost another one today on ika. I am SO going to try all this stuff....I have flipping hooks but was uncomfortable with them for some reason (I'm so used to EWG). And RW, thanks for that detailed explanation of a snap-set. I had been doing it wrong, thinking the term was self-explanatory. Scott, have been using fluerocarbon for exactly that reason. I was under the impression that it too had almost no give?I'll use braid more. Thanks Dwight As for circle hooks, I use them whenever I can for the reason that RW mentioned....a powerful hookset isn't necessary, only pressure. 

When you're self-taught (mainly books) like me, this instruction from all of you means a great deal to me. And Mike L, that pic of your boy is priceless! Thanks all