Keeping fish hooked on a drop shot

[FlippinCrazy]

I have been having a terrible time finding a good drop shotting hook that will keep quality fish hooked for me when nose hooking my baits. All the fish that I do land with it are seemingly hooked very solid.

I have used 1/0 Owner SSW hooks, 1/0 Gamakatsu Dropshot hooks, and a couple of other hooks, and it seems when I hook a fish in the 3-5 lb. range on my drop shot, that 1 out of every 3 fish I hook will jump and shake it. It has now cost me some serious $$$$ and I am getting a little reluctant to even throw a drop shot.

Just curious if anyone else has had this problem and if so, what did you do to correct it?

[cape cod basser]

I have been using the owner hooks and not having any issues. Sounds like your hooks may be dulling and your not getting the good hook-set you need. Is your knot keeping the hook out straight and point up?

[FlippinCrazy]

Yeah, I tie a Palomar and run the line back through the front of the eye. I always check my not, and I always check my hook point to make sure it isn't damaged and is still sharp.

[Lizard Dragger]

Not sure, but I would go up one size if it was happening to me.

[BigSmallie II]

Could also be that your rod is too soft?? I've had the same problem until I went to a stiffer rod. (this whole post doesn't sound right )

BS

[catch5]

Maybe go down a hook size. I usually use a #1 Gammy drop hook for nose hooking. Its thinner wire and believe you would get a better penetration. Are you fishing for spots and smallmouths, or largemouths. Kota just won the BASS Elite event on Erie with a five pound average fish. He was using #1 Owner mosquito hook for those toads and 6# line. Give it a shot. That litle hook will stick em and you really dont have to even set the hook. Just kind of pull on them. Good Luck!!

[caseysmith14]

I have been using a 1/0 or #2 StandOut hook and have seriously hooked nearly all fish right on the top of their mouth and haven't lost a single one

[FlippinCrazy]

I just ordered some Mosquito Hooks, and I'm gonna give those a try and see if the light wire will make a difference.

Anybody using just a 1/0 round bend off set or a 1/0 ewg offset and nose hooking their baits. I thought about trying that as well, just don't know about using that big of a hook, if it will hurt the action of the bait or not.

[gatrboy52]

adam,i also would look at the rod and/or line compared to the hook .i dont think size of hook should be a factor for fish coming unbuttoned unless the hook wasnt maken good penetration.if your usein a soft rod or 6 lb.or so line then i would opt for a thin wire hook.

[20_lb_sack]

I normally use a tiny little #4 and don't remember a fish jumping off. I suspect it could be your hook setting technique, if your setting it, your doing it wrong. Just reel up and pull the hook into the fish.

[Powerworm]

I use mostly size 4 to size 1 Gamakatsu drop shot hooks. I don't believe in just start reeling. I use 8 lb test and if I get a bite ( I usually cast my drop shot ) I'm setting the hook medium to hard. With my light G-Loomis DS rod, it would be pretty hard to break the line on a hookset so I let them have it.
Hookset with the dropshot or lose fish, thats my tip.

[caseysmith14]

Like stated above, defiantly don't do a major hookset, I just sweep the rod up to the side and reel like I mean it.

[BILLY]

What rod? What line?
That's where I would look first.

[thedude]

i use a #2 octopus hook, palomar with the tag dropped back through the eye.
i use a MLXF 7' st. croix avid. using 8lb power pro to a 6lb floro leader. good drag on the reel.

If the fish gets the bait, i load up the rod - not setting the hook just pull tight and bend the rod. 99% of the fish are hooked in the top point of the upper lip and i usually need pliers to get the hook out. I have missed bites, but not had a single fish come unbuttoned this season. When i feel the bite, i lower the tip of the rod to let them get the whole bait before loading the rod.

[FlippinCrazy]

I am using a 7' ML Extra Fast taper St. Croix, with 6# Berkley Professional Grade 100% Fluorocarbon and I don't set the hook "fast" or "hard", but rather just a solid sweep until the rod loads up. I haven't had a problem with missing fish or with small fish shaking off, it's just been the 3-5+ lb. fish that I have been losing. The fish that I do land are all hooked very well.

I feel confident in my hookset, as well as my rod and line, but It's possible I could be doing something wrong.

[caseysmith14]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FlippinCrazy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> it's just been the 3-5+ lb. fish that I have been losing.

I feel confident in my hookset, as well as my rod and line, but It's possible I could be doing something wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Have you lost; at a minimum: 5 Lucky Craft lures this year and went through atleast $700 in senko's? Because if not, you may just have a curse set upon you by the fishing gods and only sacrifices like this will lift your curse

[capticeman]

I've had fish jump off, even sometimes breaking the line as they jump... I've used size 4 to 2/0 hooks... I do like the small sized hooks though, they do stick and hold... I'll throw this one out to you all... the weight below the hook flying around when the bass jump cannot help at all... I'm gonna put my money on that as a high % reason for jump offs...
I try and play them out slow, and try and keep the jumps down.... when they jump, I just close my eyes and bite my lip...
FYI I'm talking mostly smallmouth here...

[sisezz73]

You could be hooking your bait to deep. I learned the hard way until I was showed just to pierce the tip of the bait. Might not have enough hook exposed to get it in the mouth. Missed some smallies then hooked the bait better had did not loose any sheephead.LOL