I went out today with my new setup, Crucial MH/XF and my Curado, and I loved how it fished. But I had a problem, every time I would get a fish I would either set the hook and get nothing or set the hook and have it come off during the fight. My guess is that I am setting the hook too early and not letting them take it because im not used to feeling them initially take it (I used to fish with an ugly stik ) and I get to jumpy. Any thoughts?

And I did end up getting one out of the water but to bad I forgot my camera >

Could just be the wrong hook set for the hook.  Faster rods load up differently.  What bait hook, and what line?  Unless its a real sketchy bite, with lots of "drive by" hits, I'll swing as soon as I detect a bite.

Could just be the wrong hook set for the hook. Faster rods load up differently. What bait hook, and what line? Unless its a real sketchy bite, with lots of "drive by" hits, I'll swing as soon as I detect a bite.

X2 and might try a standard Owners offset J Hook instead of EWG styles...if that was what you were using. Maybe a slightly heavier line for a more sure hook up.

Don't get impatient with yourself friend...you're doing something right because you're getting bit  Usually the smallest changes will make the biggest differences.

Stay positive and work on the details, it will all come together 

Big O

www.ragetail.com

Im using Gamakatsu EWG Worm Hook and 20# braid with 12 # flouro leader.

Problem solved with the hook change as noted in the above post 

Big O

www.ragetail.com

Problem solved with the hook change as noted in the above post

Big O

www.ragetail.com

X2

I started fishing soft plastics (specifically senkos and senko type baits) this summer, so I thought I would share my experiences.

First of all, watch your line. When the line starts moving out, or it jerks, you've got a fish. I detect maybe 60 to 70 percent of the strikes this way. Sometimes, of course, the bass takes the bait, and just sits, and you got to feel the bite.

If you see the line running out; feel the fish, and then set the hook; not before. Don't swing if you don't feel the fish.

When I do feel the fish, I set the hook with a strong firm pull, after reeling in the slack. Swinging for the fence usually results in a snapped line (at least for me). Keep the pressure, and reel him in.

Don't wait to set the hook once you feel the fish. Else you usually end up with a gut-hooked fish (and I don't mean gill-hooked) with a Yammy senko, and maybe a spit out lure with some other similar baits.

Oh, btw; I use 4/0 EWG or WG worm hooks with 5" senkos usually. Eagle Claw or Gamakatsu or Mustad. I didn't find the brand to matter a lot; except that a few Eagle Claws were blunt right out of the package (others were sharp enough); I trash those.

There was a thread about EWG and regular worm hooks for worms. I don't find hookups any troublesome with EWG hooks; so I mostly use those anyway with senkos. I think the senko looks more natural with a EWG, due to the hook point and the hook eye being on the same level.

Yup, Big-O is right on the money about the Owner J hooks. They have a thicker guage,which will not bend out. With braid, I found that standard EWG would bend on the hookset,thereby not entering the fish's mouth at the proper angle.

hookset on 3

Hang in there - something that you did not mention is what plastic you were using vs what size hook. If the hook is too small, a bulky bait can actually interfere with a solid hook set.

Like you, I was losing fish. I was bending regular EWG hooks out on big small mouth last fall. I needed a different hook. I have settled on an Owners also, but it's the # 5139 Wide Gap Plus Extra Strong. Occasionally going down a size from the standard hook is required so the baits fit the hook. There in NO Bending this beast of a hook. Good Luck

http://www.***.com/Owner_Wide_Gap_Plus_Black_Chrome_Hooks/descpage-O5139.html

A-Jay

Make sure that the hook is sharp.