Slack or Tight Line Hook Sets? Tharp Vs. Swindle

Do you set the hook with slack in your line or reel it out, feel the bass, then set the hook? Professional bass anglers Randall Tharp and Gerald Swindle debate why they prefer one method over the other when fishing jigs and other singe hook, bottom contact presentations.
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Tharp is adamant that reeling the slack out first, feeling the fish, then setting the hook results in a higher hookup ratio. In contrast, Swindle argues that immediate hook driving is more effective than continuous pressure. Each makes good points, but perhaps the question is best suited for a physicist. We'd like to hear your opinion on why one method is better than the other.
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[@BFSJEDI]

Slacked my way through school...ain’t stopping now !

[@milehigh3054]

Ha lol

[@schlmedium6921]

I know I’m two years late but this is gold

[@kyleadams1215]

This comment is money 😂

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

Only Swindell you got to put everything into it even your rectum. Only Swindle would say that. Great video sharing it on Twitter.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for sharing Brian!

[@MrLapin-LL]

Tight lines here too! 200% agree with Tharp. Plus, you can easily snap a weak line/knot with a slack line hookset. Tigh line is more forgiving... REALLY love that angler vs angler thing!! Do a lot more of these please!!!

[@treyferguson9393]

Almost every time I set on a slack line I break my line man!!!!!

[@treyferguson9393]

@A Dose of Reel don't matter what kind of knot I've tied I've tried them all before. Slack lining one cost me the biggest fish of my life a true 10 plus pound bass. Seen it grab my shake head turn and swim I tighten up half way on it and jacked it, broke my line. I use seagaur invisx and alot of mono still too. Slack lining just don't work for me. No need for it really

[@biggbassmoon8413]

Lil thing called re-tying when u think your line is weak will cure that 💡

[@huknlipzfishing]

Check your knots for fray or make sure that knot is snug, I've pulled like tharpe on a double digit and didn't lose that bait or snap my line he spit the hook out no fray no problems, just spit it bc I didn't bury the hook try reeling down just before the lines off the water and pop him you need that bigger barb buried in the bone plate on the roof of their mouths. Still haven't hooked a big fish like that again and I was using 15 lb fluoro. Now with crankbaits,poppers, thinner hooks then yes lean into that fish hard but otherwise you gotta do what I have mentioned otherwise you run the risk of that big fish with a lot more weight to throw around throwing your bait.

[@mikeadams4605]

"It drives the hook thru the skull" LOL.....Love Swindle!!!!

[@r.barefoot8386]

Tight line hookset for me, but I agree that it's more personal preference than right or wrong

[@joshsinglefooter]

More More More....! Angler vs Angler! One idea vs another. Especially the way that they were talking to each other ( but not really).

[@MrMcHoodoo]

“Crackin and wacking”; “You gotta put everything into it, even your rectum.” How does Gman say this stuff without cracking up? Great stuff here! Lol

[@clutch3shot]

Reel till you feel baby. Tight lines every time.

[@kylebrandstattfishing7270]

I’ve broke off too many fish slack line-ing. Tight line for me.

[@LeatherNeck1833]

Every fish I've ever lost on a hookset can be blamed on having a slack line. We all do it sometimes; we get excited and forget the basics...and have a poor hookset or no hookset at all. Why have a 7.0 or higher reel speed if ya ain't gonna use it?

[@jb9189]

"I'm gunna have to get some contraceptives because I got screwed on that one" lol

[@g-money792]

Slack lined my whole bass fishing career and do pretty well. Not trying to brag, just sayin' I do really well with "slack lining."

[@christopherpettersen2359]

Great content. Very interesting to see opposing views on topics like this. Hope we see more like this.

[@jacr6521]

Cracken and wacken

[@jimbo0411]

Tharp or Hackney for me, with today's rods, braids, leader material, and hooks , no need to take a chance slack lining a jig. Texas rig would be bout the only thing i would try it and then i don't.

[@thetruth572]

Can anybody please tell me why when we s*** off the side of the boat that floats, but then when we s*** in the toilet it sinks?

[@coltross7547]

Did anybody else notice gman using a lews reel

[@thomassurratt2936]

Yes he has made some equipment and Boat upgrades for 2020

[@countryfriedfishing]

My jig hookset is so tight I dont set hook unless I feel the pull of the fish but everything else but a frog its gotta come from the toes.

[@lisheltonanderson8645]

Dude this is funny if you do another one of these angler vs angler we need Greg Hackney on one of these. I agree with Randall Tharp you don't lose to many with a tight line hookset..

[@joebee1459]

Two of my favorite fishermen and my favorite technique. Have to agree with Tharp though, but the slack lining is entertaining to watch!

[@aaroncoombes9116]

It depends on the way I'm fishing, if in flipping I got to real down on it, but if I'm working a wacky rig/shaky head (especially winter time) I prefer slack line to let them eat it better

[@burna803]

2 of my favorite fisherman in the professional bass fishing world in 1 video. I swear wired2fish just gets better and better.. sucks i havent won anything yet. Would love some of those zoom hollow body frogs to see how they compare to the booyah pad crashers i been running the past few years

[@Wired2Fish]

We had a lot of fun making this! Thanks for the comment, Romo NoTony-

[@dennishursman6742]

Tight line if they bite soft, sometimes they bite so quick you don't have time to tight line.

[@andrewthomas4399]

Listening to two very different view points on something like this. Would love to see more videos like this one.

[@marcusyoung2870]

I stopped slack lining after seeing a video that Tharp did on flipping years ago. I've caught a lot more fish since I stopped slack lining imo

[@leojeidy1143]

Got to go with Tharp on that. The one time I inadvertently slack lined a fish with 30lb braid and pinned him against a log I thought I tore a tendon in my wrist down to my elbow.

[@bryceblankenship3525]

Leo Jeidy damn that’s gnarly

[@nealatthecrossfishing]

I actually really like both of y’all! One of you is calm and cool and the other is crazy as a bird! Opposite ends of the spectrum. But both really good people!

[@luckylucky9006]

Tight lines for me as well..

[@redboat5029]

I"m like Tharp,,,,,when you want your lady to come to you, don"t snatch her , fill the curve first, reel down,and set the hook. Old School.......

[@matthewgreen465]

That was the best transition ive ever seen 😂

[@nutechlures6130]

well tharp it would take a long time to explain it to you, but here is a simple explanation. if you drive a nail into a board, do you put the hammer head on the nail head and push or do you smack the nail. there is the difference. i could get technical and explain the science of cracking a whip, which does translate into setting the hook, but i do not feel like typing that much. go to nutech lures you tube channel and you will find a video there that goes in depth about setting the hook, and also the differences in the muscle groups you use depending on how you hold the rod.

[@jonesboyshunting8673]

Done it both ways. Just natural reaction to set the hook when I feel one hit it. Especially those Gunterville bass they will be under the boat and on the other side before you no it. It didn't take me long to figure that out. I still laugh about the crappie I caught/lost because I jerked so hard he flew right over the boat and kept on going haha. Great video, I like the idea of two anglers fishing and talking about the same thing and what they think and their opinion.

[@stevenlee2224]

Me myself if if I right line I tend to pull it out there mouth to much

[@arthurdirindinjr1792]

Until this year about 3 weeks ago I never heard of slack line vs tight line hook set I just felt a hit and set the hook I have no choice but to fish weedless soft plastics from May till deer season ends my bass fishing Was missing 30-40% of my hits fishing soft plastic flukes weedless on a screw lock hook Then I went to my favorite bass fishing website and asked what I was doing wrong and how to fix it as missing 30-40% of my hits is absolutely unacceptable People there suggested once I felt a hit remove all slack by reeling down and to the fish once I get the slack out set the wook with a fast sweeping motion Once I did this my hookup ratio increased to over 75% Was still fishing exact same rod reel line luer same presentation same everything except I was now removing all slack prior to the hook set and it made a huge improvement in my hook set success

[@joshuagreene9976]

On smaller jig heads up to 1/2oz I can get away with slack lining, but can't do it with 3/4oz+ jigs. Gotta use the Hackney approach.

[@Jrstroh_96]

Ok I maybe wrong but wouldn't slack line rip the flesh of the fish more? Which would cause the fish to bleed more or have a bigger wound. I understand if the bite catches you off guard and you set the hook. But to do it on purpose every time. I'll pass I want fish left for my grand kids

[@Shawn_Lai]

It really comes from the toes... you cant be a slack tapper! Hahah you already know Swindle is tippy toeing putting all that rectum in there! But he does make a point, you hook yourself quick and it goes in deep! You barely touch yourself and it skin hooks. #AllJerkNoTwerk

[@chrisruebusch8492]

slack line hook sets are all ego driven look at me i caught a fish, why would you want to skull hook or rip his face off anyway. today’s rods lines and hook dont need much pressure to set a hook, but old habits are hard to break.

[@jackhuminski3390]

I agree that it’s personal preference but Gmans reasoning didn’t make much sense

[@dustinbrunson9262]

I prefer not slack lining , and I also prefer not to trying to rip the fishes head off either , they say it's necessary but its not. Been bass fishing for 30 years and I have never had to do either one.

[@brentmccreary3337]

Tight line when finesse fishing a spinning rod. Power fishing a bait caster usually more of a slack line hook set. Very cool Video!

[@rossram571]

Slack lining is a bad idea due to the fact u are only hitting the fish with the tip of the rod on hookset a real good way to break a rod because your not hitting the fish with the backbone of the rod. Swarping comes from the sound of your line whipping and that's also a good way to break line its simple think of it like this do u pull a chain tight before pulling something or do you jerk the chain pulling something. Always have the slack out before u pull

[@cdickey3211]

Unless your a fish mind reader and you are certain when bit they will run away from you I don’t know how it can be beneficial to slack line. We ain’t catfishing!

[@captainhunter_oubre1364]

I pop my line 99% of the time on a slack line hookset, even with braid.

[@BassGeek]

I'm not a slack liner. I lift feel set.

[@wulfn7]

I'm in the same boat as Tharp, i reel until i feel the weight of the fish and then set it. I can't recall missing a fish that way in a long time.

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

I agree with Tharp on this. I never get a good hookset anytime I’ve tried “slack lining”. I like to feel the weight of the fish then set the hook. More and more I’ve proven to myself tight line hooksets are the way to go

[@nickcavazos5718]

I like to have all the slack out when I’m setting jig hooks, had a fish slack line a Swimbait last week and had to reel 3 times to tighten up before I slammed that 8/0 beast hook. Same thing with a flippin jig, I lost a lot of fish when I switched from braid to flouro so I got in the habit of getting all the slack out

[@otisstodghill1448]

Gotta love the Gman. Raw and uncut. The way it should be.

[@adammitchell3462]

Ive fished my whole life and ive never thought it to be ideal to set a hook on slack,from my understanding it has always been a no go

[@michaelshoffner6584]

I'm with Tharp especially when fishing around lily pads

[@danielbryan8300]

I'm a simple man I see GMan and I watch the video!

[@Thematrix2785]

I love swindle, but literally everything he said is wrong.

[@TheOutdoorsVlog]

As always great stuff! Thank you for sharing!!

[@chrishimstedtfishing4602]

This is hilarious. How have I missed this for a year?

[@chrishamre2119]

Mostly reel down. But once in a while it’s fun to jack a fish!

[@JohnSmith-tz7iy]

I love Gman but it appears to me that slack lining has a lower success percentage

[@mindysellers9094]

And he'll say I bit the jig tha bit back!💯😂😂😂

[@Fishin4truth]

I'm with Randall Tharp I prefer fishing tight lines

[@restless7528]

Do for you!?!?! not for them? That's how I was raised!

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

I agree slack liner days are gone no need for that anymore ..i agree

[@shawnbeck2303]

My Father taught me to reel down and bury that hook! I am 59 now. Won't do it any other way period! SHAWN

[@fishingwithaustin8258]

Tight line hook sets are great for rods that absorb the shock. Slack line would be better for the more stiff rods and more stretchy line. that’s just my piece in my opinion

[@AjLynn45thParallelFishing]

Tight line for me ~ If I slack lined, pretty sure I'd be blowing up rods; especially with braid . . . . .

[@theunluckyfisherman4845]

Reeling down first is the way to do it if you want a higher landing percentage. No matter what, if a big fish (over 3) chokes your jig, you can basically set it however you want and you'll probably get him in the boat. But i've noticed that slacksetting on the smaller fish (under 3) usually leaves me with a ripped trailer because i've blasted the fish's mouth open with the head of the jig. I rarely reel set and miss a fish unless its really small or a rockbass, but that fish is more likely to come back and eat again. He wont be so likely to eat again if i rip it out of his mouth a 70mph with a slack set.

[@helotaxi]

If you watch carefully, G-man reels up a bunch of slack and drops the rod tip before setting the hook. It happens fast and he might not even realize he’s doing it.

[@tnbass2833]

I've was taught to reel down and blister them. Its hard not to love the swhack of that type of hookset.

[@Wired2Fish]

So true!

[@TheOutdoorDude]

I reel down and sweep right. What ever feels comfortable to you. Thats what I say.

[@JSBassMasters]

reel setting is the best, by reeling fast then setting the hook the fish will hold on tighter as you reel instead of slack line hook sets the weight will hit the fishes mouth blowing it open and missing the fish a lot of the times

[@b_ray98]

Love this style of video, hope there is more like this coming

[@jeffero80]

I'm a slack liner ,especially when working a jig or Texas rigging because if the line is slack,I know that lure is on the bottom where it's supposed to be

[@mesa620]

1:21 it’s like that bass got beamed up by aliens

[@boblillard9282]

I always, I mean ALWAYS reel down before swingin' on them. now I do come out of my boots, I've even broken the pedestal in my dad's old style Ranger. TIGHT LINE vote

[@williambates9929]

I reel down then set my hook i hate missing fish

[@hunterwalker4918]

I do a let the line get tight then cross her eyes hookset

[@northeastgiants775]

Slacker and a jacker I catch my fish

[@mrstackracks1189]

I usually reel down after I feel the bite

[@jordanspalding6446]

Once I slack lined a bass so hard it came back to boat and slapped trolling motor. And put it in a seizure!! And that’s no joke PS but moments later the bass did gather his marbles and was fine. Swam off like nothin happened

[@jakeporter8476]

I'm a slack liner, born and raised! Only problem with slack line hook sets is you are more appt be put off balance during the hook set. Slack line is more a reactionary hook set.

[@calibassslayer6606]

I seen a Cali guy do a one handed slack line hook set. Reason is in the northern cali lakes it gets cold during winter so you have one hand in your pocket to keep it warm and one hand on you rod. Check out his channel BASS UNION.

[@mindysellers9094]

Jason Christie is a beast slack liner.

[@The_Mortgage_Angler]

I agree with you I do not like to set a hook on slack line. sending a shock to the knot on slackline hook sets means you would probably have to retie more often cuz you're weakening the knot with the shock that you create on a slack line.. I almost never break a line when setting a hook, I watch videos after videos of people busting off on hook sets due to overpowering. I also don't lose many fish. Just my thought. I get the whole hook penetration and concept behind it but it's like going out to shoot a whitetail with the 7 mm or a 243 either one is going to get the job done but one is overkill.

[@davide.8176]

Probably why Swindle has never won a tournament, two AOY's, but always a bridesmaid.

[@justinmoody2260]

Cross his eyes ain’t messing round

[@exodusfivesixfivesix8050]

Idk I rip lips off them boys. Edit: Had a book set one time and that Guadalupe went flying out of the water and I almost hit myself in the face.

[@barrydouglas3137]

I tend to do both. Depends on.if they are slow and lethargic. Slack line. If they are aggressive. Tight line it

[@ReddNikk]

Tight Lines all day! I never understood the slack line fishing

[@dylantaylor5885]

Thx

[@executivepainting5445]

Crackin' and whackin'!!! 🤣

[@Boatflipit]

Depends is it a heavy wire flipping hook or a light wire hook. I do both techniques probably not to the degree of slack lining that swindle does though.

[@ballzybaits4414]

When you're on a Standup board, Slack line will make you end up swimming with the fish. lol

[@5.7hemi79]

I'm a tightline hookset on everything other than a wacky rig because I normally see the line moving before I feel the bite.

[@smoovefishing]

I was going to say how do you speak of Hackney for one of the best jig fisherman ever! But then said it!

[@RJV-uu2jm]

I think there are reasons for both hooksets. If I'm sure the fish has a good enough hold, reel down and set. If it feels like a small strike I'll swing for the fences hoping for that next tug.

[@joekidd6432]

I have never heard of such a thing as slack line hook setting... to each his own, but I wanna pull up slow and feel the fish before setting the hook!

[@biggbassmoon8413]

Now that's what u call making it make sense .... I'm sold 💥🎣🎣

[@blackbuck4real]

Don't be a slack tapper 😅

[@jessemaggio8848]

Hey Tharp, everything Swindle just said...

[@rmoore208vx]

MY DAD USED TO GET MAD AT ME FOR SITTING HOOK WITH SLACK IN MY LINE AND THEN LOSING THE FISH WHEN WE WERE JUST CAT FISHING.SO I ALL WAYS GET ALL SLACK OUT THEN HAMMER THAT HOOK IN TO 'EM

[@coltonn31]

Caught many fish on a slack line set but then again with light line taking the slack out and doing a reeling hookset works better, so you dont snap it