Setting the hook from the roll cast position

A few days ago I was roll casting on a small stream. Just before I was about to begin my forward cast - the rod was pointed behind me - I got a strike.
Surprised, I had no idea how to set the hook. Should I have simply executed a forward cast or should I have tried to drop the rod behind me?

Thanks,

Randy

There's not a lot you can do in that situation. There's so much slack in the line at that point, there's not much of an effective way.

You could quickly execute the roll cast in hopes of getting the hook to set. Or you might try to strip as much line as you can as quickly as you can with one movement and raise the rod behind you (if there's room).

Sometimes fish strike at the most inopportune times. (like getting a drink of water, or being distracted by wildlife....)

Just use a quick mend if you want. Setting the hook in fly fishing for trout is really not necessary. Just put a little tension on the line is all it takes. The motion the trout uses taking the fly will naturally hook the fish. We use small sharp hooks, a trouts mouth is soft and easily hooked with these small sharp hooks, it doesn't take much force to catch the soft skin with these hooks. Fishing for bass is another story, you are trying to drive a large hook into a bony mouth and it requires more force.

Thanks Ray. What kind of mend? Stack mend (mini roll cast)?

And what if I try to rotate my body and the rod back and around?

Randy

Actually from the position you stated a short quick flick forward of the rod would caused the tip to react in the opposite direction. Which is to say the tip will actual go backwards. Followed by beginning a quick off side mend reverted to an on side mend thus keeping the line in motion. while placing your rod and line hand in a position to make that first most critical long line strip. This should take about 1.37 seconds and all the good karma you've accumulated that morning. Ok I was just kidding about the time. :)

Just laugh it off and realize that the fish will win sometimes too. :)

LOL. I've heard of the roll cast hook set, but damn if I've ever had the presence of mind to actually do it.