Hookset, what am I doing wrong?

[HeaveToo]

I have had two snakehead trips. I definitely have gotten a few strikes. One of them today was amazing because I could see a wake coming after my buzz bait and then there was a violent hit. I had one that I hooked for a few seconds and then it got off. I have managed to get two really nice large mouth bass today.

What am I doing wrong? Is there a different hookset for snakehead? I have had hits on a frog, a buzz bait, and my fly rod on a popper but I haven't landed one yet this year. I am even using a trailer hook on my buzz bait.

[ronaultmtd]

Snakeheads clamp down on your frog...then open their mouth and swim away- and you wait until the line comes taunt before you really drive the hook home- sharpen your hooks- top water bite is a delay after the splash before striking hard to set the hook...I usually set the hook a few times on snakeheads- boom, boom, boom...

[mchottie]

SH have terrible eyesight - I use topwater lures, and get several 'blowups' but none take the hook. Wait until the topwater lure is submerged (successful strike) and then set the hook.

[HJS]

+1^. I use soft plastics when I fish for smbass upriver from harrisburg, PA. I work the plastic minnow on the surface during summer low flow. Frequently I'll see a bow wave made by a nice smbass as it charges the lure. When a smbass is bearing down on your lure it takes a lot of discipline NOT to set the hook too soon. I'll delay the hook-set a split second after the splash before I set the hook. Hook-ups are than more reliable. Make sure the hooks are sharp too.