Hooksets with Jigs

[Circlehook]

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.

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

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

[beaver]

Originally Posted by WESTPORTMAFIA

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

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.

[5/0]

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.

[JLH]

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.

[Mike P]

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.

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

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.

[ANY LUCK?]

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.