Hard a hard time hooking them today questions

Went out today with my 12' poles running 3/4 ounce slip sinker and 1/24 plain jig with minnow sickle hook.

This set-up has worked the last few times out, today I lost several very nice fish who hammered it and then I lost them.

I decided to switch to a hook, I had some Crappie hooks with a bend in them. not sure of the name. I put two of them on and one Aberdeen hook on pole #3.

This seemed to help but I lost a few also, they were biting different than one week ago.

When I see the pole bend or line go to the side I normally grab it and pull up.

Not sure but thought I would post, I learn something on this site everyday

I have found that the sickle hooks points are in line with the hooks eye so I bend mine outward so that they stick out a little more. I have read where several has done this and it does seem to help with hook set especially with the sickle hooks.:twocents

I like the #2 sickle hook also but do recommend gently bending the hook point out just a little to help with hook-sets.

Thanks guys for the tips, will give it a try

Sometimes I think it 's a very light bite when we lose them just not getting a hook set good enough.
LittleJohn

I can't believe someone has not come out with a hook as sharp as a sickle hook but not curved in like they are.

The "beak" point of the sickle is it's No. 1 drawback in my opinion. I much prefer the more reliable straight point type of hook. In my experience, it provides a much higher hook up ration.