Lately I have been having a lot of problems with losing fish. I fished yesterday on the Suwannee River with t-rigged worms and they were hitting it like crazy, but I lost four fish because I set the hook too soon and one fish that jumped at the boat and threw the worm in my face. This is a typical day for me and I lose five fish or more each trip and don't land any. Just wanted to know how many fish you guys lose each trip. Also, what I am supposed to do when the fish are nipping at the worm? Should I just wait a few seconds and let it take line before setting the hook? Any help would be much appreciated.  

I would either wait longer or I would shorten the worm up some so that they get it in their mouth faster.

Lately I have been having a lot of problems with losing fish.

Dude, you need to pay more attention to where you leave them  

If your getting a lot of pick ups and the fish are just dropping the worm scale down. When you switch to a smaller worm or just cut down the worm you are using when they grab the tail they can't help but engulf the whole bait. Panfish will sometimes grab the tail of the worm and run with it and your left thinking it was a bass. You can also try switching to a tube.

How small a worm should I use?

smaller than the one you are missing hits on.  If it's an 8, try a 6.  If  it's a 6, try a 4.

or a tube or an Ika ,etc

PinkFloyd...I sent you a pm, please get back to me. Try a wacky rig, I'll bet you don't lose many once you switch.

If your getting a lot of pick ups and the fish are just dropping the worm scale down. When you switch to a smaller worm or just cut down the worm you are using when they grab the tail they can't help but engulf the whole bait. Panfish will sometimes grab the tail of the worm and run with it and your left thinking it was a bass. You can also try switching to a tube.

i bet some of the hits are bluegill. when i use smaller worms(6 inch) i get alot of bluegill action, and even catch a few! i actually went to a 6 inch lizard and that made it much more useful for bassin

I would say what is probably happening is that you are feeling that tick on your line and setting the hook too early. Its really important when you're using a texas rigged worm to pay attention to the difference between a tick and when the bass actually picks it up and turns with it. There might be just one bite and then a pick up, or sometimes I feel 3 or 4 ticks before they pick it up. If you set the hook before they turn with it though, you are actually just pulling the bait out of their mouth. Next time you miss though, leave the bait there, and just give it a gentle shake. Usually an interested bass will still come and grab it. Otherwise, you should be able to cast back to the same spot and get him the second time around. Last but not least how are your hooks? Are you using the right size for the biat you're using? Are they sharpened? If not, I'd grab a diamond sharpener from walmart, or at least pick up some Gamakatsu or Owner hooks. Try some new things next time, and let us know how it goes. Good luck!

I had a lot of the same problem until I switched to a EWG hook.

Still the same, listen to what the others are saying, lots of good info there.

none,nero,zip,zilch....wso...none

I haven't lost one largemouth bass since 1986.

That was the last time I tried horsing a 15 lb bass with 4 lb mono.

Roger

I dont't lose many fish, however I do seem to have a problem losing the big fish. In fact I have a streak going now, the last 8 times I've been out I have lost every fish over 4lbs. I dont know why or how, it just seems like whenever I hook a big fish it's destined to find its way off the hook.

i went today and i lost 2. I lost the biggest one of the day (2 to 3 pounds guessing)  was bringing him up onto the boat and the line snapped wish i had a net but ohh well theres always next time. I usually lose one or two everytime i go from the line breaking to the bass just jumping out of the water and the hook pops out.

When I started wacky riggin with circle  hooks I would miss fish cuz I was trying to set the hook to hard.Once I got use to the sorta riding the fish hookset I've lost less fish on them. When I T-rig plastics I use 4/0 or 5/0 Gammy or Matzuno wide gap worm hooks and very rarly miss fish on them,occasionally your gonna miss a fish it happens. I try not too keep track I do like those wide gap hooks,the tru-turn and longer shank worm hooks IMO dont preform as well.

well the only way to lose a fish in the battle in my mind is is not getting a good enough hook set or trying to "horse the fish " when fishing it is very important to feel the strike when fishing plastics take in any slack u have without affecting the bait and use a solid upward hook set using ur body if done correctly you will get a solid hook set right throught the hood of the fishes mouth , from then on out it is rod control keep the rod tip up when the fish is deep and the rod tip down when the fish is near the surface to prevent the bass from jumping and let the big fish wear themselves out dnt horse them in for sure they will get away