Setting the hook?

Question

I'm new to fishing and have no-one to teach me or ask anything, so when a fish takes my bait and just takes off, fast, how long do I wait to set the hook and how exactly do you do that? Just pull up and back, hard or what? Also, when using wrigglers or nightcrawlers, the whole worm or just a little piece? Thanks in advance, for not talking to me like I'm stupid. How're ya gonna know if you don't ask, right?

Answer 1

Usually the hook sets itself. Since the fish is on the prowl for food, when it picks up food, it moves somewhere else to find more food. That movement sets the hook by having the barb pierce the fish's mouth. Yet this is not always 100 percent true. Sometimes, the fish pick at the bait without completely swallowing it fast. Once the fish senses a foreign object, the hook, it will release the hook and discard the bait. In that case, you have to set the hook by yanking the fishing rod up or sideways, to tighten the line and plant the hook in the fish's mouth. As far as using nightcrawlers, a little piece, about three inches, is enough. If the fish is hungry, the fish will try to eat the little piece of worm.

Answer 2

some fish hit your lure very aggressively for example Trout,steellhead,Salmon,because of this there is a good chance the the hook is all ready set but it doesn't hurt to make sure,if your bottom fish you want to give the fish a little time to take the bait,drift fishing or Bait casting the bait is moving so the movement helps this process,to set the hook a good firm jerk usually will do the trick,keep your hooks sharp this is important.when i fish with worms i just use a small piece,enough to help hide the hook,if there is too much worm the fish will steal your bait and a good chance of not coming near your hook.good luck

Answer 3

well for starters the point of the hook is very sharp and the skin it has to penetrate is very thin, so you really don't have to yank it too hard. A good flip of the wrist will set it. If you give it a good pull you may break the bone in the lip and pull all the way thru. After that it depends what kind of fish you are after as far as how long to let them run. Well, there are a lot of factors there actually. Heavy brush to get caught on? type of fish? size of fish? weight of line? The idea is to wear the fish down but not get tangled in the brush.
and I agree, you'll never know if you don't ask, so mind if I ask? how does a girl not find someone to take her fishing?

Answer 4

when a fish takes off lower your rod and reel in the slack line and when you see line get tight raise rod quickly and the fight is on let the rod fight the fish not the reel if you use the whole worm and they are biting the tail off try casting a smaller piece to the same spot some time fish will think that it was part of the worm that just got chomped

Answer 5

if you are using a bobber wait untill the bobber goes under give a quick small gerk to set the hook or use a small circle hook and reel when the fish bites. DON'T set the hook with a circle hook.
Good luck.

Answer 6

Well.....when the fish takes the bait get it a good jerk.......now not too hard you might pull the hook out of it's mouth.....keep practicing you'll get it.