You Make the Call...

[Hagigun]

You are deadsticking for walleye... You have a minnow or shiner on a plain red hook/circle hook, your choice...

You see the bobber go down and start to run, you have your bail open and watch line go out...

What do you do next? How long do you wait? Do you give extra line? You make the call?

[laclabiche walleye hunter]

I would close the bail and set the hook.

[UP jigstick]

I would close the bail and set the hook.

X2

Ya beat me to it. 

[SDFlagChaser]

I'm not much for waiting, I also close the bail, reel up the slack, and set steel.

[Big Al 1]

Close the bail and rip lips like a samurai warrior. That is if you don't slip and fall getting there.

[codewordcs1]

If you're using a circle hook in theory the rod tip loading up should set the hook right? No open bail just be ready to get your rod before it heads down the hole  I've never used a circle with Eyes just cat fishing and I keep my drive engaged and in a stout rod holder and the fish always hooks itself with no hook set needed just a good jerk after you pick up the rod to make sure it's set deep.

[deadcold]

I think a couple of variables may come into play when determining how to react. First of all, the type of hook obviously matters.  Circle style = lift and reel. J style =  lift, set, and reel. I think the real question comes down to how long do ya wait before the lift part. I think as the season progresses, I wait a little longer due to the metabolism of the fish slowing down. Later in the year, even an aggressive species like a Walleye will pick up a bait and swim with it for a bit before committing to taking it completely into their mouth . I might wait a few seconds before I do anything. DC

[lmstuhr]

My friends and I always get into arguments about what is best. I tend to set the hook as soon as the bobber goes down, give or take a few seconds. I have fairly good success. Other guys swear on giving it 1-2 sometimes 3 minutes before they will set the hook. To me that just seems crazy.

[JiggerMan]

If you're using a circle hook in theory the rod tip loading up should set the hook right? No open bail just be ready to get your rod before it heads down the hole  I've never used a circle with Eyes just cat fishing and I keep my drive engaged and in a stout rod holder and the fish always hooks itself with no hook set needed just a good jerk after you pick up the rod to make sure it's set deep.

x 2

[walleyeslayer1978]

Once the float starts going down steady, reel slack, set hook. I've found its gotta be going down steady or you pull the bait out of the mouth of the fish.

[dawnordusk1]

Close the bail, reel in slack slow,feel that slight resistance and then a smooth sweep of the rod to hook it. I go with the idea the longer I wait the better chance he lets go. To me its the smooth sweep of the rod that means the most.

[fishunlimited(fu)]

Well, this story starts back a ling time ago. My cousin and I we catfishing at the river one time. I always missed the catfish with a bobber and worm, he always hooked them. I never knew why until once he let me in on his itsy bitsy secret. "Count to 5" he said. ever since then I counted to five and caught every catfish. To the point count to five (in 1 mississippi's) i always do this for ANY bobber fishing. I don't know what about 5 or anything, but next time your bobber goes down count to five and set the hook..

[TJG]

Once the float starts going down steady, reel slack, set hook. I've found its gotta be going down steady or you pull the bait out of the mouth of the fish.

From one Sask boy to another, X2.
Last mountain walleye, steady pull, set it!