I have posted in the other thread asking questions about running plugs for steelhead. Everyone I have fishing with including guide friends have all preached not setting the hook when you first get hit. Now I'm talking about running hotshots, and wigglewarts, and simular plugs. I was suprised to see the posts about slamming the hook home on the first hit. I was wondering how the rest of you guys fish plugs. Do you let them take the plug, and load the rod, or do you slam em on the first hit.

no need to set the hook fish is either on or not when tip of polehits water they are on.

They either have it, or they don't. Just pick the rod up (IF YOU CAN!!) and get to work!

like said above,let the rod load up then simple lift rod out holder and either it's there or it's not.No need to set the hook.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

You guys are doing it the way I have been taught. Once the fish is has hit the plug, and loaded the rod, lift the rod up, and fight the fish. Almost everytime one of the guys up front immediatley sets the hook, the fish is gone.

I am sure what the guys have written above is true but in my boat we "set the hook" and rarely lose them...half the fun is hooking them anyway!

RM

What about the drag, super tight or not so tight?

Keep the drag pretty tight; when the fish strikes let him take the tip down, then grab the rod, make sure no slack is in the line, loosen the drag a bit and play the fish.

Set it for sure!

go to steelhead university.com click on pulling plugs for steelys.

I tell all of my clients when I do occasionaly pull plugs any more to rip there rps off. Jerk like you are trying to brake the rod. Have never broke a rod on a hook set yet. But this is after the fish has burried the rod. I let my cusomers hold the rod as they lay it on the gunnel. In my opinion I have tried both methods and they get off no matter what when you are pulling plugs. Letting people jerk when they get crushed is just a heck of a lot more fun in my opion.

the fish will have it for good usually by the time you grab the rod, but after u pick it up set the hell out of it

Set the hook, keep the line tight. I fish with a lot of inexperienced fishermen, more often than not if you set the hook and keep the line tight, you get the fish. If no hook set and slack line, good bye fishy. Obviously there are times when we do everything "right" and still the fish gets away, that is why it is called fishing, not catching. My two cents. Take care all and Merry Christmas.

Doubletake

Set the hook on a barried rod with a firm pop. Thats the way I have always been doing it and good god it feels so damn good.

Let the rod load up (count to 3-one-thousand, or you can wait 'til the tip is almost in the river) and then drive the hook home...

If you fish barbless, I've found it's better to just leave the rod in the holder, and let it load up. About the time you would instinctively set the hook... DON'T....

Simply reach for the reel handle and crank as fast as you can until line is either peeling from the reel or you are just cranking against the drag and gaining no line. Now pick up the rod and play your fish.

I realize what I've recommended above may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if the end-game is to bring fish to the boat, it'll "gitter done".

If your personal thrill is being able to feel the bite rather than bringing a fish to hand, then by all means hang on to your rod and jerk away!

Like has been said...wait till the rod is LOADED UP before you take it from the rod holder. So many times I have seen steelhead do a "Drive by" and just take a whack at the plug...the rod dips, but does not bury as the fish never turned with the plug in his mouth. If he doesn't hook up, the fish may turn and run down the slot a ways and you will get another shot at him...but if you grab the rod out, yank a hook-set and start reeling before the fish is on, the fish most likely is history.

So long as that rod isn't buried, the fish hasn't turned with it, and "setting the hook" is likely to yank that hook/plug straight out of this mouth as he is still looking at the boat.

Once he turns the rod will bury. Grab the rod from the holder and since I use Power Pro one short little yank (not too hard as PP doesn't stretch) sets the hook.

Another thing I try to do is, once I see that rod start to react at all, I give a couple strong pulls with the oars to help set the hook. People often ask why I have a small bit of chartruse yarn tied just below the first eye (not tip) of my plug rods. That is so I can see not only the action of the plugs, but also it's a major flag once a fish whacks the plug. Unless they are looking right at it, the front seaters may not catch the initial strike on the plug.

I think most times, in all the confusion and excitement, that folks forget to even set the dang hook as once that rod comes out of the holder the fight is on!

Mike

Mike, I don't remember "setting the hook" on that little chromer....do remember watching the line smoke off that 6500 thou !! BTW, I found that little (hot shot ??) I was yarning about floating down the Sky. Its a SE just a touch smaller than a #30 in silver w/rattle, has a wider bill than the #30's too. Also found 3 steelis warts, 3 #30 hot shots and a K-10 in silver w/pink spots. I had them in my trout gear.....

Brad,

With a serious bend on the rod (fish has turned) I don't think much (if any) of a hook-set is needed. Unless that plug has a dull hook it should have set itself when that fish turned and loaded the rod up...still, it's nice to give 'em a little yank just to be on the safe side.

That's another thing to consider. Sharp hooks are a MUST for plugs. Either keep a good hook file around or a pack of replacement siwash's.

If you had given that little chromer a mondo hook-set he would have been swimming away sans our plug in his jaw...he didn't grab it deep enough and we were sure to have lost him. Ya done good!

Bring those plugs along come March...we'll give 'em a once over and put them to work!

Mike

And having fun is what it's all about