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How do i top water fish better?
I have been using a jitterbug and a weedless frog recently and getting the bites havent been an issue its keeping them on the hook. I never set the hook to the strike i let them pull it first then a small side ways set, I never use a massive set on anything as i've found it to be more detrimental when landing the fish. I've hooked up with the fish and fight them a little bit but i always seem to lose the fish as I near the boat. I don't know if it is the quality of hook i am using or if there is something else. My buddy who I fish with cannot figure out my mistake as he is doing the same things and has watched me but he lands the fish and I do not. Top water is a relatively new technique to me so any help would be appreciated
4 Answers
- 7 years ago
Right off the bat I see two problems.
First, when you see the strike, count "one thousand one, one thousand two" then set the hook. Setting it too quick won't let the fish get the frog completely in its mouth. Everyone has their own technique to do that, but what works for me is I fish it with the rod tip somewhat high, and when I see the blowup on the surface, I reel in any slack line as I lower the rod tip before setting the hook.
Second, your hookset is all wrong. You said yourself that you are using a "small" sideways set. You should be rearing back on it like you're trying to rip the fish straight to the boat (or shore), and you should be using a pure UPWARD hookset. Some baits work well with a sideways hookset, but not frogs. Look at where the hooks are...right on top. So use a straight overhead hookset and set it hard since you have to collapse the body of the frog to expose the hook points, and frog hooks are heavy gauge, or in other words, THICK, wire, so it takes more force to get the hook through all that.
As for the rest....I'll defer to Swamp Zombie's answer.
- 7 years ago
You are right in pausing before setting the hook but I don't think a sideways approach is necessary. Try an upward pull, and don't be afraid to use some muscle. Frog hooks are strong, but if they aren't exposed, they can't do their job. Make sure you are collapsing the bait on the set.
What frog bait are you using? The Live Target Koppers frogs collapse pretty fast.
- Peter_AZLv 77 years ago
One other thing is to make sure your hooks are sharp. Brand new hooks aren't always as sharp as they should be, and after a few fish, they can dull a bit. Get a little file or stone, and make sure the hook points are sharp enough to scratch your thumbnail with very little pressure.
- Anonymous7 years ago
The weak hookset could be all it is. You don't hammer a nail with slow, even presure. you whack it nice and hard to slam it home, and a hook works just the same. Pretend you're trying to pull the hook through a bone, (because you are) and that may solve your problem.
