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[rootbeer]

I must be doing something wrong.  I've been float fishing in a small stocked lake using powerbait and shrimp.  I see the bobber go down, and that's it.  I've tried setting the hook right away.  I've tried waiting.  Still no success.  I'm stumped.  Any help would be very much appreciated. 

[Sandman]

I must be doing something wrong.  I've been float fishing in a small stocked lake using powerbait and shrimp.  I see the bobber go down, and that's it.  I've tried setting the hook right away.  I've tried waiting.  Still no success.  I'm stumped.  Any help would be very much appreciated. 

What size are the target fish, and what size is your hook?

[rootbeer]

small to medium sized rainbow trout 2-3lbs.  I have been using size 4 and size 6 barbed hooks (mustad brand)

[paulbish]

Pretty big hooks try smaller I use size 10 or 12.

[bbronswyk2000]

Make sure your hooks are sharp

[rootbeer]

These are the hooks I am using.  New out of the package.
I kind of thought the size 4 seemed a little big.

For clarity I am using size 4 not 4/0

http://www.mustad.no/productcatalog/na/product.php?id=141

[Sandman]

These are the hooks I am using.  New out of the package.
I kind of thought the size 4 seemed a little big.

For clarity I am using size 4 not 4/0

http://www.mustad.no/productcatalog/na/product.php?id=141

#4 would not be too big if the fish were 2-3 pounds, but I suspect the fish tugging the float down are a smaller variety and a smaller hook would be more effective (#8).  Just sharpen the hook with a small stone and wait for the float to go under and set it.  if the fish is bigger than 10 inches you should hook it, if it is smaller then you do not want it anyway.

[alan701]

Could be little fish nibbling on the bait. Try setting the hook by moving your rod upwards or a different angle and not pull... if you hook it, keep your rod straight up. I learned to keep rod up during the pink run. And make sure you don't cover the sharp point of the hook with bait. And maybe don't pull so hard that the hook gets ripped out. Some suggestions. Happened a lot to me for some reason when using a spinner + worm. Now I'm trying fly fishing now so I think I will get much better hookups.

[firstlight]

Buy Gamakatsu hooks.
They taste terrible but they work....

[Rodney]

The hook size is not really an issue unless these fish are in fact much smaller than 2 to 3lb. One factor that often gets neglected is the type and size of float used. This is especially important when fishing in stillwater. You gotta choose a float that is appropriate for the size of your target fish.

[300zxfairlady]

Like rod said the size of the float but also I find keep the slack of the line to a minimum, slack on the line affects the set of the hook especially float fishing

[Fillibert]

Mono or braid? Also I've been watching small bait fish nibble at my power bait egg the other day when a bigger one maybe 6 inches got it stuck in it's mouth  it was hilarious. So when I tugged on the line it popped out but only then

[rootbeer]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I am using a small slip bobber (CTire sells it as a kit with the stopper knots, beads, split shot, and a hook.  I used one of my own hooks though), with about 6-8 feet of line under it, and I'm using 6lb mono.

I was out the day after posting this and was sitting next to a person who was noticing the same thing, with the bobber going under, but not being able to actually catch the fish.  At least I'm not the only one.

I am hoping to go out again later this week, if the weather holds, and see if I can try some of these tips.   

[Drewhill]

Most likely you're setting the hook too early. If the bobber is moving back up by the time you're setting the hook the fish is gone. Is the fish has taken it the bobber usually stays under. Trout like to hit and run.

[jon5hill]

Use Gamakatsu size 6 octopus hooks, a smaller piece of bait such that you are leaving some of the hook out of the bait. A small float that can be balanced with a single PS-5 splitshot weight is ideal. Of course, you'll need to gear down your line too to about 4lb test. =)