I’m having trouble detecting the bites and setting the hook: i fish for Large mouth in central FL and for some reason no matter if it’s a jig swim bait soft plastic or whatever i have...

FS Digest

i fish for Large mouth in central FL and for some reason no matter if it’s a jig swim bait soft plastic or whatever i have trouble knowing when i get the bite and when i know i get the bite i always yank the hook right out their mouth. thanks!

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by sirsam2725

bpicinc Loc: Zwolle, LA. Toledo Bend

Maybe more sensitive rods would help and be sure the hooks are sharp.

Mr.Wood-E Loc: Franklin, LA

What bpicinc said. I prefer spinning rods over baitcast. I have my hand on the rod and the reel post is in between my middle and ring finger. I can feel everything.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Experience, experience, experience! You will catch on eventually. A more sensitive rod might help. Just Sayin....RJS

JackM Loc: North East Florida

As bpicinc said a sensitive rod will help. Also using braid with a leader will help. The braid has almost no stretch so you feel more. The hook set for a worm with the hook inside the worm is much harder than the set for spinner or lure.

aldeureaux Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Sometimes it is hard to determine a fish from a stick, but remember a stick doesn't swim! LOL!
I don't know what rod you use, but you might consider up grading. If you are yanking the hook out of their mouth, although less sensitive, mono will stretch a little, and you would be less likely to snatch the hook out of the fish's mouth.
All that being said, experience is the best teacher.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

If you feel a bite, gently take up the slack to be sure there is pressure, then set the hook. It is hard to get a hook set with slack or if the fish is not holding the lure.

JB134 Loc: Montana

One word. Braid

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

FS Digest wrote:

i fish for Large mouth in central FL and for some reason no matter if it’s a jig swim bait soft plastic or whatever i have trouble knowing when i get the bite and when i know i get the bite i always yank the hook right out their mouth. thanks!

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by sirsam2725

I think you probably have a rod sensitivity problem. And you suffer from "Bill Dance Disease". When you're fishing for fish that generally don't go much more than 3 lbs you don't need a broom-stick for a rod. Get a nice, light, glass compound rod, with a medium or light medium action and a fast tip. If you run into a monster it will handle it if you are careful. And you really don't have to horse a fish out of the water like old Bill does, unless you're in some really mean cover. Keep the rod tip up and keep constant, steady pressure on the line. It gets easier with experience, believe me.

HooknJack Loc: Orland Ca.

I fished with a guy that had a habit of moving his bait and then would lower his rod and would put to much slack in his line and would not feel the bite in time to set the hook. That may be your problem, keep you line tight.

danny5161 Loc: Belton, SC

Just remember one thing jerks are free, if in doubt set the hook. Better to catch the fish if it is a bite than to let a fish get away.

Jbn Loc: Mississippi

FS Digest wrote:

i fish for Large mouth in central FL and for some reason no matter if it’s a jig swim bait soft plastic or whatever i have trouble knowing when i get the bite and when i know i get the bite i always yank the hook right out their mouth. thanks!

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by sirsam2725

I wait a couple of seconds before setting hook…..always watch your line to see if it is moving, if moving rear back on the rod

joeycanoli Loc: orange county

FS Digest wrote:

i fish for Large mouth in central FL and for some reason no matter if it’s a jig swim bait soft plastic or whatever i have trouble knowing when i get the bite and when i know i get the bite i always yank the hook right out their mouth. thanks!

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by sirsam2725

I was having the same problem, every time i would feel a twitch i would yank on the rod mostly fueled from adrenaline and anxiety but to no avail. one day i was reading an article on this subject and recommended that i pay close attention on what i was feeling while reeling in very slowly, to distinguish rock from muddy bottom to weeds etc. a sensitive rod helps tremendously, and as far as how to know when its a fish biting? it just comes down to time on water/ experience. when you get a fish on the line try and remember what it feels like, regardless of species. you want it to be like second nature and instinctual. all the hard work pays off and becomes one of the best joys in life.

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

FS Digest wrote:

i fish for Large mouth in central FL and for some reason no matter if it’s a jig swim bait soft plastic or whatever i have trouble knowing when i get the bite and when i know i get the bite i always yank the hook right out their mouth. thanks!

--
by sirsam2725

Get a good fishing line. Mono is the least sensitive , then fluoro , then braid..That would be the cheapest route to attempt to fix your problem.

RJ Fung Loc: Los Angeles County, Calif.

Dont set the hook. Instead, reel down and at the same time lower rod tip.