Braid fishing odd question

Ok I am still a juvy on this whole braid deal.

Last Saturday I was fishing a whacky worm.
I fish it with a rubber o-ring and just put my hook between the o-ring and worm. Same hooks, brand bait and o-rings I have used for the past 3 years.
I have caught a BUNCH of fish with this rig and has become my pretty much "go to" lure / presentation. I dunno, I just love fishing it and it flat out works.

Now, my odd question.
I have gone with a spinning rig with braid and a fluro leader.
I haven't noticed it as much on my bream rod but with the bass rig I can definitely tell it is much more sensitive.

Last Saturday I missed like 10+ fish on this rig.
Just chalked it up to me not being a very good fisherman and went on about my business.

Yesterday afternoon I was fishing at a local pond and missed probably 6 or 7 fish in a matter of 20 mintues.
I also noticed yesterday, as well as Saturday, I am losing more whacky worms than I used to.
They are pulling the worm completely off, leaving only the o-ring.
I have seen this before but nothing like now.

I have come up with a few "reasons" and wanted some more experienced fishermen to chime in.

1) Braid is so much more sensitive I am feeling the fish quicker and setting the hook too quick.
2) The fish I am missing are the little dinks, 8-10" fish.
3) The whacky worms I am using seem to be more "greasy" than I remember and are coming out easier?

What say ye?

Interesting. The only thing I can say that might help with losing worms is running the hook under the O ring but also through the worm. It seems every time I catch one he shakes his head and throws my worm off. Braid is definitely sensitive, and has zero stretch. Flouro has very little stretch as well. I have been missing a lot of fish lately fishing a Texas rigged worm and I think it's because the bream are bedded up and they grab it by the tail and carry it away from the bed. Set the hook, and nobody's home. Mossyhorns300 and I fished Memorial Day and we both were missing fish after fish on worms. Could that be your problem?

My guess would be no flex in the braided line and hook set issues; too hard, too soon, or both.

Let em take it and try a sweeping hook set. I also get some of the senko in the hook. Basically just pierce the skin with the hook under the o ring. Braid and flouro is best combo in my opinion.

agree with fltnnwhatever. the hookset piwer needed with braid is about a 1/4 of that with flouro or mono. flouro has more stretch right off the bat than mono but no elasticity until it breaks.

Spurhunter said:

Braid is definitely sensitive, and has zero stretch. Flouro has very little stretch as well.

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Based on my experience with braid and fluoro I think this may very well be the problem. I'm strictly a mono guy because I want the stretch and elasticity of mono for stripers. Different than fishing for smaller species like largemouth and such. I also think that braid may put more stress on your drag and gears. Oh yeah, mono cost a lot less than the others.

I would say a little premature on the lip-jacking, or bream. They are bedding up now and aggressive. I personally don't use the o-ring, just wacky. I had issues last week with a shaky head and went to the turd. (Z-man TRD Ned rigged) Landed way too many spots in the 10" class along with a few bream. Johnny

With braid and a sharp hook a hookset is almost unnecessary. You can simply reel quickly and hook most fish and once you come tight, give the fish a couple jabs to solidify your connection. That said, I am not a bass fisherman by anyone's standards.

Pilchard said:

With braid and a sharp hook a hookset is almost unnecessary. You can simply reel quickly and hook most fish and once you come tight, give the fish a couple jabs to solidify your connection. That said, I am not a bass fisherman by anyone's standards.

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Yep, I just barely bump it.

FLTENNHUNTER1 said:

Yep, I just barely bump it.

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i call it a tick of the wrist.

he definitely wasn't setting the hook very hard but i can't say for sure it wasn't too much. I fish with mono and when i set the hook, i SET it. I do think its necessary when fishing a fluke though. I recall him laughing at me over it as a matter of fact

cbhunter said:

he definitely wasn't setting the hook very hard but i can't say for sure it wasn't too much. I fish with mono and when i set the hook, i SET it. I do think its necessary when fishing a fluke though. I recall him laughing at me over it as a matter of fact

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Normally people laugh at me when I set the hook on a bream.

I don't think you are setting the hook too quick because the braid is more sensitive. That happens more with moving baits like a crankbait. With dragging/bottom baits they either have it or they don't. Probably dealing with smaller fish or they just aren't eating it unless you are actually getting a hook in them and they are coming unbuttoned? Nearly every fish in the lake will bite a whacky rig. Could be bluegill, gar, shellcrackers...you name it. If you are setting the hook and feeling the fish and they are coming off, maybe you are setting the hook too hard like mentioned above. Could be using too much rod too since you have gone to braid. Those whacky rig hooks are small. If you are using a MH rod with braid with that small a hook, I can see having some trouble. Maybe try a lighter power rod. Medium would be perfect which you might already be using.

Using a 6'9" med action rod.
Also use a 4/0 hook.

The more I read and the more I think about it, I think I have just been dealing with small fish that aren't fully committing to the bait.
Maybe this weekend I will finally catch a good one and can tell the difference.

a lot of fish are swatting at baits right now. had a guy tell me he had 25 hits on top water last weekend and didnt hook but one and it came off. he said it was like fishing bedding fish.

RUGER said:

Using a 6'9" med action rod.
Also use a 4/0 hook.

The more I read and the more I think about it, I think I have just been dealing with small fish that aren't fully committing to the bait.
Maybe this weekend I will finally catch a good one and can tell the difference.

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6'10 Med rod with a 1/0 whacky/drop shot hook.

WTM said:

a lot of fish are swatting at baits right now. had a guy tell me he had 25 hits on top water last weekend and didnt hook but one and it came off. he said it was like fishing bedding fish.

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I agree with ya TWM, I have been lighting up bass with various top water baits. Half or more were hooked in the body or side of the face.