Couple bass questions

I fish for bass quite a bit, but this evening I missed and lost a ton of fish. Local little pond full of 12-16" bass. I was using a Yum Houdini Shad in dark green. I had several on for a bit and then just disappear. I missed bunch which I also figured for short strikes. Cut the bait in half to get the hook closer to the back. I still kept getting fish to fight for a bit then disappear. Was driving me crazy. Landed a lot too. Why was I missing so many fish? 20-25 missed. 10-12 landed. Fought a few for 20-25' before coming off. usually I will land almost all hooked. I don't think I actually had them on the hook. Any insight on this. My buddy lost just as many. All this in about an hour.

Sorry for long confusing post, Rob

Dull hooks?

Poss. too soft a rod or weak hook set.
On long casts with light line there is more stretch than some may think
This will make it very difficult to set the hook properly
Add the flex of a light rod and you may have no set at all.
Either set harder, use a stiffer rod, or let them have it longer
This will usually take care of the issues you discribe.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Hooks are sharp. New spinning rod. Usually use casting rod. Medium action, fast action. 10lb line. Usually use 12-15. Long casts in shallow water. I guess it was anew rod reel combo with a bait I had never used. Hook sets were my normal way that usually works.  Tried leaving the hook more exposed with no more luck that way. Thanks Eric. Probably just me. My buddy does not fish much, so can't judge his actions at all.
    Rob

You setting the hook overhead or to the side? Another option might be you are setting the hook too quick and ripping the bait out of the fishes mouth.

Side and up depending on how I am working it. Not pulling out of mouth. Fish has it for a little bit before setting. Then fighting for a few secs, fish to the surface for a bit, then off. Usually not what happens to me. Just this one day.

based on what you're describing, if its not a dull hook, I'm going to have to agree with yakhopper on that it might be too soft of a rod or weak hookset.  I had a similar issue, not as may fish lost, but I kept losing fish after a short fight just as you described.  I was using a medium/fast with 10lb mono as well, and it just felt like I wasn't getting the hook to bury in deep enough on the the longer casts.  I switched over to 20lb braided line, tipped with 12lb fluoro and it seems to work better for me. 

I'm sure it was just the new setup and not being used to it. I'll go back and get them again. Private pond so no AOTY.

If you bring me out with ya, I'll show you why. 

Got it figured out. No more escapees.

 

take the hook keeper off

braid really helps with those hooksets.

take the hook keeper off

braid really helps with those hooksets.

I don't need no stinking braid! Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt. Hopefully get out tomorrow.

Live bait? Mutu light

Live bait? Mutu light

I think we're talking about real bass fishing here craig, not AOTY desparation  (just kidding!)