Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Setting the hook???

I never set the hook at all - I think that it's pointless when fishing predators with artificial baits (spoons, spinners, any plastic/wodden cranks etc.). I think that fish sets the hook by itself. If it's done properly then you get it, if not then you loose it.
I know that only a few will agree but I've never observed that due to this technique I'd lost more fish than other fishermen.

When I use baitfish or live worms then setting the hook is a must - the situation is a bit different.

By the way, a friend of mine once was trying to catch some pike in a small pond. Suddenly an unexpected "monster" decided to eat the lure but after some fighting it got free. Of course, my friend became very nervous and when next pike attacked the lure, he set the hook like it's described in the first post. Poor little pike (less than 1 lb) landed some meters behind my friend...