Underwater Footage of WHY Anglers Often Miss Bites

Bass anglers get frustrated when they miss bites. Here is an underwater look at what often happens when bass start to take our lures. The result can mean we often fail to catch the fish. Also included are several tips on how to fix this problem.
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[@Rooster0529]

Once I see a line twitch or think I have a bite, I make myself say out loud, “There he is.” Not only does this slow me down, but annoys the heck out of my dad, brother, son or co-angler. It’s a win-win.

[@TheMichiganFisherman]

😂

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I love that! I will have to start doing that when I fish with my buddies.

[@catboyzee]

LOL!!!

[@no_regerts5176]

But you have to use a Bill Dance accent. Then talk about what “pre-zentation” you used

[@Nate_Higgins]

That's a solid strategy, my friend.

[@TaltonOffroadTravel]

I see so many anglers that look like they truly only want to reel in a set of lips with no fish. That hook set is so overkill 95% of the time. I’m glad you mentioned it.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@FlyTyer1948]

Well said.

[@maxlutz3674]

You know that there might be a mismatch between the power of the hookset and size of the fish, when you have to duck so the fish doesn´t hit you.

[@anton2417]

depends what you're fishing for and where you are fishing.

[@sussybaca7256]

Lol i was bank fishing a few days ago seen some guy fishing on the front of his boat. He set the hook so hard his lure flew out the water and ended up behind his boat. I thought damn that guy aint even trying to reel just wants them fish to land in the boat.

[@retheisen]

It's awesome how accessible underwater video has become.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It definitely is!

[@TheMichiganFisherman]

Good point talking about not always needing the power hookset. I see so many people doing the power hookset while fishing a dropshot and I just shake my head. Totally not needed. It’s a dropshot…not a Megabass Dark Sleeper. Great video.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

With these super sharp laser honed hooks that steady pressure does really well.

[@pane36]

That's reassuring to read. I'm a new angler, and I've been experimenting with absolutely everything about how I fish. I naturally settled on the pressure hold hook set and caught a nice freshwater drum with it today!

[@TheMichiganFisherman]

@@pane36 nice! Steve is the guy to watch. Short videos packed with great information. 👍

[@pensnut08]

I treat a "finesse" rig, like a drop shot, like I am fishing live bait. Same with a small swimbait/light head. It REALLY makes a difference.

[@Creeksmallmouth]

With tiny paddle tail swims and open hook heads i always reel down and pop the wrist and it gets them everytime

[@olliepainter2155]

Live bait as in…like a worm in a bobber for bluegill, just set the hook when you think they took it? Genuinely asking 🙏

[@JRec-ql5fc]

i love this. i was fishing dink smallies on a senko the other night and just let my rod dance for a bit when they would hit it and i remember thinking, "ok, it's a 5" senko and these guys have extra small mouths, let them play with it for a second." hooked them both times with a steady hookset. seems my stream of consciousness was accurate. great info, thank you!

[@jasonladegast418]

Once again, providing great information with solid evidence. Best fishing youtube channel in my feed!

[@chipseiler1766]

All good points and lessons I've learned myself over the past 40 years of fishing and hook setting trial and error. The problem I have now is when I'm thinking or looking at something else when a fish hits and "instinctively" (instinctively = a learned behavior that is now 40 years old and almost involuntary) set the hook instead of just applying pressure on the fish. 40 years ago and with hooks that were much less sharp out of the box, we learned to power set. I also STILL check and resharpen hooks as I learned to do 35 years ago. Another great and informative video. Thanks!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank! Those hooks are so much sharper than they were years ago. Just trying to grab one out of my box usually gets three or four stuck to my fingers. Lol

[@georgepretnick4460]

Thank you for this video. All fishermen should see this.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Wow! Thanks!

[@Cheezeball]

I leave the line slack when I fish senko worms. When the line starts to move, I set the hook. I don't even see the twitches so I'm not tempted.

[@Nate_Higgins]

Great video. I try to always remember to reel down before sweeping back. I feel like this gives slack and time for the fish to get it good.

[@Fishingwithfaithoutdoors23]

Awesome ! That being said I’ve noticed and especially with shaky hands, to let the bass bite it how ever many times, let it swim with it a few seconds and set the hook. I do this with all my bottom contact baits, and falling baits. Bigger bass don’t bite as much as a smaller bass. So when a big bass eats a bait such as a big ol monster, they generally suck it up and swim off, this takes good timing because a gut hook will happen. You got to watch your line throwing something that will can a bigger bass. When I caught my 8lber on a big ol monster, my line did a little twitch before it hit the bottom and started moving to one side, and I set the hook, and when I got her to the kayak, the hook fell out!! Got to keep that pressure! lol God bless bro!

[@LowBrowFishing]

To me, losing a nice fish is like a punch to the gut. I'd almost rather get skunked than have a big toad spit the hook; especially on days when those bites are few and far between!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I agree it is so disheartening. I still think about my PB that I lost in Florida a few years ago. 100% my fault I lost that fish. Lol. Hope I learned from it.

[@toddlanctot643]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors You should do a video on this.

[@DelightfulHelmet-mc8su]

Most fish hook themselves I've been fishing a long time and especially smallmouth hook themselves. Unless it's a Texas rig but I haven't had to set a hook in quite a bit.

[@richthompson3326]

Great information Steve! I know that I for one need to be more patient on hook setting!

[@bass1445]

Great video I cant count the times I have set the hook and got back half of my T rig worm all because I rushed it

[@user-xu8ki2kn5x]

Thanks again...share these with my grandson all the time...has led to good discussions on the ethics of responsible fishing some how. Tight lines, Godbless.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

So glad you get to fish with your grandson! Great memories.

[@dalbert4991]

Thanks

[@tomkoz513]

Lately, while fishing the ned rig Neko rigged, instead of dropping the rod tip to get a good hook set, which costs me a lot of fish, I've started with the constant pressure, almost like when using a circle hook, but then give it a good hook set shortly there after. I haven't lost any fish doing that yet. You can set the hook whenever you want or as many times as you want and you don't always have to drop the rod tip to do it.

[@JohnLong02245]

You must have read my mind. Long story but I made some adjustments to my hookset and this video gives me the confidence I made the right adjustments. Thank you

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That's awesome!

[@0017Bulldog]

The best 5:21 I've ever spent on KZbin. Steve, I've seen 'em all, you name the channel, but I've never seen such a great vid that gets right to it. Thank you for the great content.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you so much! Very appreciated!

[@thelighthousefjcproduction5597]

Using 3-4 inch creature baits Texas Rigged you can set the hook right away.

[@calypso2niner]

I liked this video a lot.

[@LordThomas69]

Biggest takeaways from the video- wait a few seconds before setting the hook, and set the hook with a smooth motion( not just a crazy power tug)

[@WrittenThought]

This is a great dude

[@anthonyvespia6662]

Steve, I really enjoy your tips. I've learned to watch my line take off, as you said. But not wait too long, where they'll spit it out. I also use scents, on my jigs, worms, frogs, and other baits as well. They like to nip the frog legs as well, and pull on them. 🤣 🎣

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It is such a rush when you see that line swim off!

[@bradr.7249]

Great video Steve. It took me awhile to learn the different hooksets. I used to try to set the hook really hard on crankbaits. I learned not to do that because I lost so many fish. My dad always told me to count to three when fishing plastics when a bite is detected. That advise works pretty good most of the time.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It definitely does! And I had to work on my crankbait hookset too. It’s amazing how easy it is to rip those trebles away.

[@catboyzee]

When you've gone a while without catching a targeted species (LMBs in my case), exercising patience can be as much of a challenge as enticing a bite in the first place. Thanks for the reminder and the refresher.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It can be for sure. There are days when my patience is a challenge as well.

[@stevevanhorn1909]

Great video, thanks !

[@kyleross889]

This will help a ton. Awesome info ty

[@burneracc2567]

I like to feel a head shake or two before setting the hook, works like a charm despite using mono. Yes, I sometimes get fish deep hooked but I mostly fish for food anyway, catch my limit and go home or sometimes play around with lighter gear and sunfish if I catch the limit fast enough. On tournaments tho, I usually set the hook with a bit faster steady set on first half of first head shake because fish must be released alive and that bit of stretch in mono gives me enough time for fish to hook itself well but not too deep. That's just my experience, I know braid elitists who do as well, sometimes worse, sometimes better but is all comes down to luck and skill.

[@michaelhyland7166]

Top notch research Steve

[@keiraquam5812]

I know my hooksets are my weakness. I'll keep these in mind! Thanks.

[@lhelton39]

Absolutely excellent video. I have to remind myself what I’m fishing with all the time. I 99% of the time am finesse fishing. I use Yum and nikko hellgrammites a lot and you have to hook set quickly on those they just inhale them but on a larger size worm or soft plastic you have to definitely give them time to get it fully in their mouth. When I feel pressure but not sure if they have it I will try just doing a sweeping motion. Again. Excellent video.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@southend26]

This was really great advice. I'm gonna give it a try.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Good luck!

[@JoelFishes]

This is *terrific* stuff. Thank you for documenting and explaining this.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

And thank you for watching!

[@markbenn1907]

It’s all about feeling that final thump. When they are off at the end the thumps are not as strong but once they hit the hook there is a solid thump. Also I heard someone say they set the hook relative to how the fish bites (small nibbles slow hook set, slam it fast hook set)

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That’s a great way to think about it. Thank you!

[@somewhereinsd362]

Great video steve,.. fishing a 12 inch worm the other day had to wait 5 seconds or more while feeling the fish slurping the worm in...this was an exercise in patience for sure,...tough not to set on that first thump.... 😮

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It takes a lot of patience for sure. The first time I fished a big worm like that it took me awhile to learn that. Missed some for sure. Lol.

[@PunkR0ckz09]

Thank you for saying steady pressure is better than a huge hookset. I've NEVER lost a fish I had hookset that way, and I see dozens of "KZbin fishermen" losing fish by giving hooksets that would send the fish to Mars. My hooks aren't even extremely sharp, caught a bunch of pikes with my "bass" lures as well as catfishes and they have much harder skin to penetrate than bass does.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The side sweep and steady pressure has definitely helped me out a lot. Lots of confidence in it. Thank you!

[@kenhelmscwi]

Hook sets are free. I always set the hook at least twice sometimes three times. Too many times has the bass come to the top of the water open his mouth and there went my lure.

[@mikeream2696]

Great info Steve. Thanks for this one.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

You bet!

[@larryhensley6651]

I enjoy your channel very much and don't understand why you don't have more subscribers. I have been there when you only had a few. Keep up the good work.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you! I appreciate your support, it means a lot to me.

[@CaptainKotetsu]

I feel like a lot of people pull too soon because they don’t want to foul/gut hook a fish. That can ruin a day really fast. Pulling at just the right time is definitely a finess thing

[@mikeanderson9266]

Mentally prepared for fishing, OH MY!!

[@Nate_Cross]

excellent video steve-o! love the underwater footage as always

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks 👍

[@CSwivel]

Reel down and lean into them instead of swinging for a home run in most situations will land you more

[@BloominOnion1]

sidesweep probably gets me the most hookups

[@chriskucenski438]

The problem is avoiding gut hooking the bass. Fishlife First Aid works sometimes, but gut hooking a fish sucks. Another great video. Thanks.

[@ericsh8576]

I was thinking this exactly and leave this exact comment. I would rather definitely lose a fish rather than gut hook every time.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Yes, gut hooking is awful. I have started to smash my barbs down a lot and that has really helped.

[@no_regerts5176]

In my neck of the woods, we have lots of smallmouth and crawfish. A 4” hula grub on a football head gets choked 90# of the time. I started texas rigging them and I don’t get as many deep hooked fish.

[@user-xu8ki2kn5x]

Simple solution...when the bass are aggressively feeding on the baits I'm using, the "no doubt" bites...smash the barb on the hook...I've actually watched bass regurgitate my baits that I couldn't get to, that deep. Just a thought...tight lines, God bless.

[@TJDeez]

I'm brand new to fishing. Caught 3 bass last week and now I'm "hooked". I learned this once after pulling up a half eaten worm. Common sense. Nature is telling you to be patient, and when it finally bites it's the final test of patience. Idk what I'm doing but I figure let the worm do the work. Stay ice cold until that thing is in your hands.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Welcome to the sport! That initial bite is so fun and thank you for watching.

[@TJDeez]

It's addicting! Haha

[@raygissendanner1476]

Great information thank you

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! And thank you for watching.

[@shannonkirby9295]

Hey, Steve, pray u are well and having a great trip to Wisconsin. Great video, Steve, and be safe

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Hi Shannon! I had to cancel my WI last minute. Took the tow vehicle to the mechanic to get the oil changed and he called me and said the brakes were unsafe. New vehicle too. He got it fixed but missed the trip. Going back at the end of the month though. So glad he caught it. That would have been horrible towing a boat with the extra weight and the brakes fail. Scary stuff.

[@shannonkirby9295]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors yes, it is. Be safe

[@SaintJohnTheFisherman]

Very great video Steve

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@clydesharman2053]

Steve I have literally lost 2 giant bass this year because of the power hook set and. Going for it to soon. The last of the 2 fish I lost I could feel the lure pull out of his mouth I’ve got to give it a 3 or 4 count and swipe to the side to keep pressure

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The side sweep is a good one. Definitely has helped me out too.

[@jeanettejack2152]

Why is this directed to my queue? Ya'll watching me fish? LOL

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Lol. Thanks for watching!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Awesome tip!!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!! 🤠👍

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks 👍

[@SquirrelockHolmes]

Great videos

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Glad you like them!

[@EnviousGenome]

fair enough

[@TokyoNightGirl-fk4cn]

Nice💛💛💛💛💙

[@bassmaster3nj]

Great stuff!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@Taylor-vz4ot]

This video was very helpful. I'm still relatively new to the sport and miss a lot of hook sets. But also, the local pond i fish the bass are cery pressured and when my daughter comes with (she's 4) she doesn't want to wait and move around alot like I do. Can you direct me to some reliable panfish videos to make those days more fun for her cuz we have bluegill all over that pond. And I've never really done any pan fishing. At least not on purpose lol

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Here is one from Wired2Fish: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYurnYGKlNappassi=7DLSqG48dpqPME16 They have a decent number of panfish videos I think you will enjoy. Thanks for watching!

[@Taylor-vz4ot]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors thank you kindly. love your channel.

[@mattjohnson7835]

I set the hook with a 6 inch worm the other day and all that came back was the hook and weight. I am guessing the fish had a good hold of the worm but hadn't sucked it in all the way yet. I was also thinking it could have been a cat fish.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It sure could have been. I’ve experienced the same thing with catfish.

[@Nunya644]

I guess this is fine for jigs and wax worms, but it must not apply for spinner baits or anything else you constantly retrieve. Its a way different process. There is no "manipulation" of the bait, its a STRIKE.

[@TWC6724]

The only hook set I’m 100% with is the tree pounder.

[@allnewmate]

Thank you for this. I have struggled the past few weeks with missed and / or drop offs. I run into alot with live bait like minnows and hellgramites they are my goto baits. I have found even after waiting a second or two before trying to set the hook they let go its very frustrating. Hellgramites i find it continuously an issue the only thing i can think of is its nipping them and thats why they let go, i have to really wait a few seconds to make sure the bobber stays under to start reeling. Also as im reeling ill give a second whip to make sure its hooked,i even resorted to trying treble hooks with live bait, then sometimes they just spit it out both types of bait. I fish for whatever will bite have been mostly lucky with bass though. Any other tips you can give would be most appreciated

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I definitely think you are correct with the hellagramites that they are nipping at them. You’re on the right track waiting for the float to pull under and start to move. Some anglers I know that use the minnows like to hook them through the back instead of the lips for that very reason.

[@allnewmate]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors I only hook minnows through the back and still have them let go lol, all in all though my hook up ratio isnt bad, im just frustrated(who isnt) it isnt better. Love your channel and the underwater vids. Keep them coming please :)

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@michaelfolse8140]

I find most often its a day to day thing 😂 just kidding some time you got the let them swim with it some times when they on its on

[@daimu9120]

02:40　If you try to hook at this timing, the plastic garbage will sink to the bottom of the lake.This rig has a high environmental impact as it prioritizes immediate fishing results.Stupid anglers around the world are darkening the future of fishing spots. （特に日本は釣りメディアがセコ釣りを推奨しているので酷い状況）

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Yeah. Lost lures are going to kill us all.

[@freshandsaltyjohnny]

Hooksets are free guys. Literally costing you nothing but the chance of gaining something. Always set the hook. THEY ARE UNLIMITED.

[@finnafishfl]

Thanks now i snagged my jdm hardbait on a log

[@finmanpoozie4756]

IMHO, you missed a couple really big factors of missed fish: 1st: Sharpening hooks. Too many guys don't test the hooks, or don't test them often enough. For those that do use an old model of "if it doesn't slide on your fingernail then it's sharp". I go 1 step further & make it razor sharp so when you do the same fingernail test the hook actually "sinks" a li'l bit & you'll feel it instantly. It'll nearly effortlessly dig a hole in your nail to where it takes a small "pop" to release it, & you'll feel that "pop" to release it. When any hook from finesse #2 thru a musky 7/0 hook is razor sharp, they'll all "sink" like I'm trying to describe. My hookset to landing ratios went thru the roof when I changed my hook sharpening methodology. Keep testing that point! 2nd: Leaders! Gotta check leaders & often for nicks or abrasions. This was also missed. I nearly exclusively use fluorocarbon leaders because they're more abrasion resistant than braid & I can feel nicks & abrasions on fluoro where I can't reliably enough on braid. Near invisibility is also what I want on the bait. Keep checking leaders for anything not smooth because that's a broken line on the next hookset probably... Keep testing that leader!! Minor but relevant: I'm lazy...to lazy to keep tying knots. If others are like me, use the absolutely smallest snap you can get away with. I'll never use a snap-swivel on any bait because the profile & weight of the bait changes too much. Oh, in case anyone beats me up for using a snap, I do tie direct to jigs & chatterbaits but that's probably about it for direct tying with me. That's my extra 2 cents I don't agree with what looked like a finesse hook on a 6" worm. When that worm bunches up, there's potentially no hook to be set...picking the correct hook for plastics could be #3 that was missed in the vid. For a 5-6" worm, I'm tying direct with a 3/0 EWG, typically texposed so the meat of the hook is right there during a hookset. Jigs? I try to go as small as possible of a hook because I'm not sure a smallie will take a 4/0 hook on some jig's I've seen on store shelves....details like those: Make the hook match the avg fish size + the rubber bait size Very good video!! (Pls don't take my thoughts as an attack or anything negative...not meant as that at all)

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It really is amazing how fast hooks can go dull and the leaders get nicked up. I run my fingers down the leader constantly to check - and then the next hurdle to overcome is actually taking the time to sit down and retie. Lol.

[@finmanpoozie4756]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors Ahh...like I said...I'm lazy. I'll tie on to jigs & chatterbaits. The mainline, as small of a snap as possible, to the leader. All my leaders have a ball bearing swivel (also helps keep my main line twist free as a perk). Unsnap 1, snap on the next & go. Seconds overall. I keep around 12-24 leaders pretied on the boat of each type so I'm good to go as soon as I feel fray or any kind of nick (or even a new flat spot) 1. 20 or 25# fluoro with a snap 2. 20 or 25# fluoro with a tag end 3. 8# or 10# fluoro with a snap 4. 8# or 10# fluoro with a tag end 5. 6# or 8# drop shot leaders, hook mid-point with a tag end (trim to whatever depth I want) 6. 20# or 25# fluoro with 3/0 EWG for worms 7. 25# fluoro 1/0 circle hooks for spring pike trips using pike shiners or suckers 8. 150# fluoro musky trolling leaders with a snap 9. 150# fluoro musky casting leaders with a snap When I get low, I simply tie more. There might even be a few other combinations, but you get the general idea. All in all, it works really well for my style (bass, pike & musky, troll, weeds, bottom dragging/bouncing & open water-- it's pretty much all covered). I'm not losing too much time except for tying on a jig/chatterbait & a Polomar knot is really fast to tie up. So right with how that razor sharp tip I described is shot with 1 bounce off a rock or even pulling thru a weed clump can wreck them!!! If it doesn't bore that fingernail hole, I'll touch it up with a file as a cone sharpening lickedysplit & keep moving--- can't catch a fish with the line out of the water! I don't think much about line visibility for me (fluoro leaders) but this may help other readers also: On a bait caster, use your index finger under the line, keep it in contact as the line travels over the top of your finger. For a spinning reel, keep the line on the tip of your index finger as well except when reeling... far too often your finger will feel the twitch long before any rod translates it as a nibble. Even itty bitty subtle bites get felt with your finger that otherwise might have been overlooked. If your fingers are too short, keep 1 on the rod blank at all times (I do when reeling) as the next best thing to having the line stay on a finger.

[@itllkeal]

I really wished I'd stop getting all the bites from tree bass while I'm squirrel fishing. I still have some baits hung up in the branches.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Lol. I’m right there with you.