I have noticed that the carolina-rigged guys indicate to sweep the rod to the side when setting the hook. I don't see how or why this makes a difference in terms of the hook getting caught in the bass's mouth. If anything, I would think it would increase the chance that the worm would pull straight out of the bass's mouth. Unless I am missing something, you really don't know what position the hook is in when you set it, so why is the side sweep recommended for the c-rig? Why not with t-rig or wacky rig then?

Please edumakate me.  

Thanks.

Rick

I have always had a habbit of setting the hook around the 2 o'clock position or 10 0'clock but i guess you have just as good of a chance hooking and missing as ne other method.

A sweeping hookset, especially with a longer rod, follows a wider arc and moves more line than an overhead hookset.  You also turn your body as well with a sweep set (or at least I do) and that helps add power as well.  Crigs are usually cast farther and many bites come when there is much more line out than when you are fishing a Trig which usually is fished with shorter casts.  Being able to move more line helps put more power to the hookset.

I have gotten in the habit of setting the hook to the side on all baits rather than overhead, unless I am flipping, then I want to move the fish out of the cover and set the hook at the same time.

The side hookets have resulted in more hookups, deeper hook penetration and less lost fish - and those are all good things!   ;D

Brad

How do you do a over the head. Wouldn't that involve getting your arms out in front of you. I keep my arms in  close to my body and set the hook 3 quarters as hard as I can. This works great and don't really lose any. With a crank or spinnerbait I sweep it to the side. Flukes can be a b!tch to set the hook with so you want to use a hard hookset and braid line.

Amen Mr. Coovert - there you have it: it moves more line.