How do you set the hook on a jig? Do you set on contact, or should you lower the rod tip, then set?

I think I am waiting too long to set up, been fishing eels to much.

The second it bumps. They'll feel the lead and spit it.

The second it bumps. They'll feel the lead and spit it.

:agree: Its tough because they hit it on the way down. I see way too many people dropping the tip too fast and most likely missing fish while doing so.

When I feel it strike I pull back and lay into it,after the first run and get the fish under controle with a few cranks on the reel I'll feel confident enough to re set the hook.When drifting eels & you feel the pick up you pay out some line and while doing so lay your tip down horizontal with the water by then a couple of seconds has passed & you can feel the bass managing control of the eel and at that point I'll lay into it.

I always set up right away with jigs even at the faintest bump. It seems like the takes are often very light every from larger fish.

Set as soon as you feel them--I don't necessarily agree that they'll spit it--after all bass are used to dining on hard objects like crabs and lobsters, and fish with spiny dorsals--but you increase the chances for deep hooking the fish if you wait.

They have enough of the jig in their mouths when you feel the tap--if you're fanning on the set, 99% of the time it's just small fish.

The smaller fish seem to bump harder than the big ones most of the time. They are used to eating hard objects but I think a 4inch bait that weighs 4oz and is hard as a rock may seem suspicious and the larger fish are more cautious. My uncle is a fish ya know.

When I've fished them, I'm drifting in heavy current, and working the bottom. Rod goes up and down in fits and starts. After a strike, a little extra pull up and bingo. They seem to hook themselves through engulfing, too.