"i was fishing
>yesterday with a rebel crawdad and i kept missing the strikes.
>i would set the hook like i do with everything else ive ever
>used but it didnt seem to work. is this pulling the bait out
>of there mouth or is it just the nature of crankbaits to miss
>a lot of strikes?

When you say that you've been setting the hooks like you have with everything else you have fished, does this mean you are swinging on strikes like you normally would when fishing a jig or senko? If the answer is yes then chances are your pulling the hook from the fishes mouth.

When fishing baits (spinnerbaits, cranks, swimbaits, saltwater jigs) that get bit on the retrieve I recommend setting the hook by continueing to wind when you feel a strike as the presure increases wind harder. Once you begin to wind down harder move the rod in a sweeping motion to either your right or left depending on your position. Don't sweep upward always just to the side. Your reel actually does most of the hook setting and delivers the initial set then the sweeping motion seems to help to secure the hook. Sharp hooks help a lot too. I know swinging on strikes is a conditioned reaction but it's much more effectiving when the fish has picked up your bait when the lure is not moving or is sinking and the fish is holding it in it's mouth.


JerryG