I just started using swimbaits, and I have had some rely hard hits.  Only problem is my hook up ratio is about 50% .  I usually set the hook right when i feel the hit.  I use a long, drawn out hook set, instead of a quick pop.  Should I be waiting to set the hook to let them eat the whole thing?? Any advice???

The moment I get bit I swing as hard and fast as I can to the side.

Keep your rod tip pointed directly at the bait and keep the slack out of your line. Cross her eyes.

The moment I get bit I swing as hard and fast as I can to the side.

Keep your rod tip pointed directly at the bait and keep the slack out of your line. Cross her eyes.

I hear that cross her eyes often. Feel dumb for asking....but what exactly does that mean?  :-[

The moment I get bit I swing as hard and fast as I can to the side.

Keep your rod tip pointed directly at the bait and keep the slack out of your line. Cross her eyes.

I hear that cross her eyes often. Feel dumb for asking....but what exactly does that mean?  :-[

It means set the hook as hard as you can without breaking your rod/line. It is presumed that setting the hook with such force will make bass's eyes cross. Probably so....

Ronnie

might be fish too small to get hooked up.

i use the gorrilla set .....

I've had that happen to me and this what I did.  I change my rod to 6'6 M action and my line to 10 lb mono.  

might be fish too small to get hooked up.

Youre very right. When i fish swimbaits fish to small often follow it in near the boat or shore, and strike the swimming tail almost at my feet. So the fish could be small ones.

Like Fourbizz said, as soon as I get bit, I really lean into that fish as hard as I can. A quick snap-set won't get the job done, you have to really put your whole body into it and drive that hook into the fish's mouth.

Use braid and that won't happen  :

Don't use braid. <----- That is a period ;D

Use braid and that won't happen :

But with braid you got the easy possibility of pulling the lure out of the fishes mouth too soon, which I think would be a pretty big problem. Also you are now using a highly visible line that may dissuade some bigger fish.

You want to try and pull the bait out of the fishes mouth! That means the bait is actualy moving and you can bury the hook. Bass can get a heck of a grip on a big piece of rubber. Forbizz is correct but it is possible that you are not lubing your bait which makes it much harder to get a good swimbait hook set.

FishChris is the only succsesfull guy on the planit to use braid and catch big swimbait bass. His numbers would probably greatly increase if he switched to fluoro or mono. Braid is the worst for swimbaits!

Mattlures, what do you mean by lubing my swimmbait? Adding scent or what?

yeah use megastrike or something.

i don't usually use anything.

I use braid  :-? but sometimes use fluro and keep my rod pointing toward the bait as I fish it. When I feel or see the strike I sweep the rod as far as I can while reeling and almost never let the fish stop or slow down on its way to the boat. I feel I can move the bait better in the mouth of the fish with braid and keep it coming toward the boat better without fear of broken line.

In reference to Mattlures and lube.

Vaseline/petroleum jelly is odorless and tasteless.  Take a small amount and rub it all over the bait.  This will help the lure squeeze out.

 You can add anise, salt, other scents to the jelly.  Add a lot of salt if you are going to be adding any fish or crayfish parts.  This keeps the stuff from rotting (thanks for that tip Matt!, whew!).

Good Luck