When to strike when u have a bite?

**localhero** · 26-05-2007, 12:53

Fished last night, had a small bass but felt pretty disapointed by the fact i could possibly have caught many more bass. Is there a technique to making sure the fish is hooked and how to strike at a bite ? At the moment, unless im sure the fish is on i just leave the hook at there are do nothing.

Any advice would be much appreciated. cheers

**Rob** · 26-05-2007, 13:35

There's no hard and fast rules on this one. An experienced angler can more or less tell what fish is biting from the bite, sometimes you'll need to strike straight away, sometimes you have to put your hands in your pockets.

The trick is to make sure your set-up allows fish to hook themselves, so don't keep your line too tight and try not to mask hookpoints with the bait.

When bites are hard to come by you may need to strike immediately, when bites are plenty and you are fishing two or more hooks, just let out some slack line when you get the first bite, if the rod is still rattling after doing that you may have a double shot of fish on.

A rod tip that rattles and then goes back to motionless means wait. A rod that bends or rattles continually means the fish is well hooked, all you need to do is wind until you feel the weight, pull to break out the lead and wind it in keeping the line tight, job done!

It's surprising how many anglers are unable to detect bites, it's all about watching the rod tip and looking for movement that is out of sync with the wind or wave movement. Sometimes the biggest fish give the smallest bites.

**localhero** · 26-05-2007, 15:30

Thanks for the advice guys. Yeh i am shore fishing over really rough ground.I suppose im not to bad at detecting the bites, and can usually tell when its just something like the swell moving my lead around etc.. I guess i just rush into things and strike to hard to soon.Yesterday I was having a few bites which were about 6 or 7 taps quickly one after another and fairly strong, i guess the fish isnt hooked but should i stike in this situation ?

**Snaggletooth** · 26-05-2007, 19:17

There are some who would argue that by using circle hooks the fish will hook themselves a lot easier than if you were using standard J hooks. Yet to try it myself but it's on the cards.

**Rob** · 26-05-2007, 19:27

Another little trick I use is to offset the hook points, just gently bend the hook point to one side with pliers to about the "One o clock" position. Fish picks up bait, fish feels resistance, fish spits out the bait but because the hook point is angled it catches the lip on the way out resulting in a self hooked fish. Also doing this I've reduced the number of deep hooked fish I catch to almost zero.

It can weaken the hook if you overdo it though, but using Mustad Viking Uptide hooks, a good strong pattern, this is minimal. Sometimes it's worth picking up the rod to feel if a fish is hooked, if it pulls back or the line goes slack, happy days!

**donkeydawe** · 26-05-2007, 20:52

Originally Posted by Snaggletooth

There are some who would argue that by using circle hooks the fish will hook themselves a lot easier than if you were using standard J hooks. Yet to try it myself but it's on the cards.

gotta love the circle hooks. use them a lot now 99% of my fish are lip hooked even doggies! only realy suitable with fish baits though as trying to thread a worm on would be a nightmare

**whopper** · 27-05-2007, 10:58

Before you strike wind down a bit on the reel, lowering your rod slightly when you do, then when the line is slightly taught strike. This should be done fairly quickly.Wind carefully though so as not to displace the weight and add too much movement to the rig to spook the fish.

The natural bow in your line can mean that sometimes if you just strike, the fish the other end will barely realsie, especially if you are fishing in the wind and there is a bow created by that wind.

Also if you have a sure feeling you have a fish on and the bite isnt too rod bending leave it for a minute or two. A hooked dab will excite others to come along and look what is goign on, as they are intruiged by movement. And if you have a 3 hook flapper you could end up reeling in 3 fish rather than one by just waiting a few minutes.

Sometimes you just have to reel in as well.

Almost forgot... Leave hook points nice and clear so the hook up chance is greater and also hook size can depend on wether you actually catch anything.

Not been too helpfull have i LOL.

**localhero** · 27-05-2007, 11:46

Thanks for all the responces. I tried leaving the hook more exposed like you suggested whopper last night and it did worklike you suggested whopper. 2 bites, 2 bass landed to about 2.5 lb. Cheers guys

**billfish** · 31-05-2007, 01:03

Originally Posted by Rob

Another little trick I use is to offset the hook points, just gently bend the hook point to one side with pliers to about the "One o clock" position. Fish picks up bait, fish feels resistance, fish spits out the bait but because the hook point is angled it catches the lip on the way out resulting in a self hooked fish. Also doing this I've reduced the number of deep hooked fish I catch to almost zero.

It can weaken the hook if you overdo it though, but using Mustad Viking Uptide hooks, a good strong pattern, this is minimal. Sometimes it's worth picking up the rod to feel if a fish is hooked, if it pulls back or the line goes slack, happy days!

spot on m8t

i offset all my hooks & its rite what u say, not so many deep hooked fish

**whopper** · 31-05-2007, 10:43

Originally Posted by localhero

Thanks for all the responces. I tried leaving the hook more exposed like you suggested whopper last night and it did worklike you suggested whopper. 2 bites, 2 bass landed to about 2.5 lb. Cheers guys

Sometimes the bait ccovering the hook can cause a missed fish. Glad you got a few fish mate! The thing about offsetting the hooks sounds like a good idea. I never thought of that before. See you learn something everyday!