Hook Sets for Bass Fishing – It's about the Allure

Hook Sets

Hook Sets are putting the hook barb through the lip (ideally) while not creating a hole large enough such that bass can not easily throw the hook. They are commonly called or described as: 1. Pull/Sweep Hook Set, 2. Reel and Rod Hook Set and 3. Drop and Set Firm Hook Set.

Why are Hook Sets Important?

Hook Sets are important to:

Help Landing the Bass: The correct hook set is one of the key components to help ensure the fish is not lost while landing the fish.

Hook Set Options

There are three common hook sets:

1 Pull/Sweep Hook Set:

How:
- Typically, a sideway sweep of the rod, after the rod is in rod hook set position and slack is removed, and the appropriate hook set pause, not using the reel, and with the amount of hook set power based on hook size.
When:
- Common Retrieve Techniques: Straight retrieves as they are typically tight line presentations. Also jerk retrieves, albeit the jerk motion often sets the hook, the walk retrieve and some drag retrieves.
Hook Set Power Considerations:
- Thin Wire Hook: Light pull/sweep power for example with a treble hook lure with light drag to help ensure the hook doesn’t bend.
- Medium Wire Hook: Medium pull/sweep power for example a finesse jig.
- Thick Wire Hook: Heavy hook set which is faster and harder power for example with some frog lures and toad lures.

2. Reel and Rod Hook Set: Also called a reel hook set.

How:
- Quickly turning the handle of the reel with assistance of a steady rise of the rod, after the rod is in rod hook set position with the slack removed. The reel retrieve provides the light amount of hook set power that is required for a light wire hooks, typically a single hook.
When:
- Thin Wire Small Single Hook: A this is the lightest hook set it has the least power making it less likely to bend the hook.
- Common Retrieve Techniques: Drag, twitch and dead-stick.
Hook Set Power Considerations:
- Fast Reel: As the only hook set that uses the reel, reel speed will have some impact on the hook set as a fast reel will create more hook set power than a slow reel.
- Reel Drag Management: Making sure the reel drag is set to low to offset an accidental high hook set power.

3. Drop and Set Firm: After the rod is in rod hook set position and slack is removed, and the appropriate hook set pause:

How:
- Typically, a high powered hook set, generally with vertical or near vertical rod movement and not using the reel.
When:
- Thick Wire Single Hook: Hook set is for heavy wire hooks that need more power to set the hook.
- Common Retrieves Techniques: Hop Retrieve, especially after a pitch cast.
Hook Set Power Considerations:
- Reel Drag Management: Making sure the reel drag is set to high as low reel drag will offset the hook set power.
- Too Much Power: The balance between a good hook set and creating a large hole in the bass’ lip (lowering catch rate).
- Rod Tip Position: When identifying the bite the rod position is likely high to maximize sensitivity, thus anglers drops the rod, reeling to remove the slack in the line until the rod close to a horizontal position prior to setting the hook. This maximizes the rod distance when making the hook set.
- Set Power: Choose the amount of strength to use when setting the hook based on rod power and action. Plus, to take into consideration stretch of the line type as braid the least, then fluorocarbon, he most (unlikely to use monofilament for a presentation that would require drop and set firm hook set).
Pause Time: Choosing the amount of time to wait after identifying fish on to setting the hook varies, but common to have a longer pause, to ensure bass has fully committed to the lure.
- Worm Soft Plastics: Some suggest waiting longer to allow the whole worm to get in the bass’ mouth. Some suggest counting to 3.

Additional Considerations

Rod Hook Set Position:
- Horizontal Presentation Hook Sets: Common to move the rod to around 30 degrees while using reel to remove slack. (rod tip position has a small angle from the lure)
- Vertical Presentation Hook Sets: Common to move the rod to 8 or 9 o’clock while using the reel to remove slack. (rod tip is almost pointing directly at the lure)
Hook Set Power Considerations:
- Line Type:
  - Braid: No line stretch so the least amount of hook set power required.
  - Fluorocarbon: Moderate line stretch so potentially requiring additional hook set power if at a long distance hook set.
  - Monofilament: Most line stretches often require additional hook set power especially a long distant hook set.
- Rod Power: The amount the rod flexes
  - Extra Heavy and Heavy: Stiff rods provide the power directly to the hook set as the rod does not bend.
  - Medium Heavy and Medium: Rods have some flex and may need additional rod set power.
- Rod Action: The amount the rod tip bends can influence the hook set power:
  - Moderate and Moderate Fast: Most rod bend thus may require additional hook set power.
  - Fast and Extra Fast: Least rod bend thus unlikely to require additional hook set power.
- Rod Length: If longer the rod the more distance the rod tip moves during the hook set provides more power.
- Light Line Test: Light Line requires less rod set power to avoid breakage.
- Weedless and Weedguards: Some suggest more hook set power is required when soft bait lures that are texas-rigged as the plastic has to go through the hook during the hook set.

Hook Set Power Nullification:
- Too Little Reel Drag: If the drag set is too low the power will not be transferred to the hook set.
Wear Eye Protection: Some suggest everyone on the boat should always wear sunglasses as missed hook sets can go flying across the boat.
Sharpen Hooks: Ensure the hook is sharp as they can dull especially when fishing cover or been stored with other lures for long periods of time. Dull hooks require additional hook set power.
Hook Set Pause: After identifying fish on waiting a period of time prior to engaging the appropriate hook set. Video evidence shows bass will attack some lure prior to biting it presumably to wound or taste the perceived forage.
- Reason: Reduce the probability of pulling the hook out of the bass’ mouth. Identifying fish on, for example by feeling the weight doesn’t necessarily mean the fish has the hook securely in its mouth. Some suggest a pause to let the fish turn, also called “swim with the lure”.
- Duration: Some suggest counting to 1, or saying a phrase for example “fish on” to help ensure a slight delay.
  - Quick: Some suggest that once identify fish on apply the appropriate hook set.
  - Too Long: If the pause is too long it is similar to not identifying the bite which is:
    - Spit the Lure: Too much time the bass will detect something is wrong and spit out the lure.
    - Gut Hook: Too much time can result in the bass swallowing the lure typically requiring the hook to be cut from the lure or the death of the fish.
Hook Set Helpers: To avoid missed fish:
- Downsize Soft Plastics: Some suggest downsizing soft plastic if the soft plastic’s appendixes are being bit off.
- Adding a Trailer Hook: Also called a stinger hook, some suggest adding especially to soft swimbaits and spinnerbaits if experiencing short strikes.