I was fishing with the smallest size ESB slip bobbers yesterday. On multiple occasions, I watched my bobber stop come "up" off the top of the bobber (and the bobber starts to tip flat), and I knew there was a fish there. I've read that the fish has come up to get the lure and keeps rising, so that's why it does that. At least that's what I've read.

The problem though, on each occasion, is that there was a fish there - but they could come off seconds after I started reeling them in. I wasn't really doing a hook-set or anything like I do on bass, as I was told Crappie have paper mouths - but should I be doing some sort of hook-set, or am I doing something else wrong??? I'm just reeling up until I feel the fish, pulling back slightly (no hook set), and keeping the line tight while they are pulling out drag (most often, because it's set really light).

All the best,
Glenn