Feb
14
How to firmly set the hook when drag seems to absorb the upward force of setting the hook?
ByHi, I’m very new to fishing and recently started surf fishing for barred surf perch and w/e else hits my bait. The other day something huge not a perch took my bait. My question is how to set the hook? The fish took my bait and as I tried to set the hook, the line just gave because of the drag. I don’t know if I’m quite explaining it right. Basically 12 lbs mono 10 lbs carbon leader, about 3 lbs of drag. Because of the drag it didn’t seem like there was enough tension in the line to properly set the hook. The fish got away.
Editor's Picks-
Play the fish, will you? - a Fishing Disc (Newly invented device for automatic fishing) video
Can’t figure out how to set a freaking hook!?Play the fish, will you? – a Fishing Disc (Newly invention for automatic fishing) videohow to set the hook on a fish?Blackfish (Tautog) fishing tips and what bait.?Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
4 Comments
February 14th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
try adjusting the drag on the reel
February 14th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Either increase the drag( there should be a dial on the reel and turn it towards the plus sign,) or u have a crappy pole
February 14th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
You set the hook based on how strong the line is, not how big the fish is. With relatively light line, you can’t set the hook too hard or the line will break (as it did with you), so to hook fish better, the solution is to use sharper hooks. Spend a little more on “laser sharpened” hooks, or get a little file or sharpening stone and learn how to put a really good point on a hook in a few seconds.
Most likely what you hooked was a sand shark.
February 14th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Your drag is set to the weakest breaking point of your rig…in your case, the 10 pound leader.
Set your drag to slip at about 70% of your breaking strength, and that should get to a decent hookset. You can also put your finger/thumb on the spool when you set the hook to add a bit more tension, then pull if off and let your drag handle the fish’s first run.
Sharper hooks will help your hookset, so invest in some. You can also switch from mono to something that stretches less, like fluorocarbon, or a braided line.
A rod with a good, stiff backbone is also a help in setting the hook. Make sure that you’ve got something that can sink the hooks home.
In all, setting the hook is a fairly simple equation: proper drag + sharp hooks + low-stretch line + stiff rod = strong hook setting
Good luck!