In recreational fishing terminology, the hookset (or setting the hook) is a motion made with a fishing rod in order to impale a fish hook into the mouth of a fish once it has bitten a fishing lure or bait. The motion is usually a sharp, sweeping motion of the rod, either upwards or to the side, depending on the orientation of the rod at the moment the fish bites. Some fishermen will sometimes perform several hooksets in quick succession to ensure that the fish is securely hooked, especially on fish with tough mouths such as some saltwater species, while in contrast, anglers using circle hooks employ a slow, deliberate hookset due to the hook's unique design.
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