What is your favorite hook for these soft plastics? I missed several strikes on them during a club tx using Gammy 4-0 EWG and 20# braid on a M/F spinning rig. I still managed 10lbs 4ozs with 4 fish and a limit would have easily put me in the money and contention for the win.

Have not used them in a few years, but if i remember right I actually switched to non-superline hooks so the smaller diameter would hook up better. I believe i used 4 as well though either way.

I use thin wire Gammie 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks with #6 Yo-Zuri on spinning gear.

Well I have been trying Owner Wide Gap Plus 4/0 and have lossed a few in a short time of testing so not liking them plus its a thick hook and tearing seems more. Before was using BPS Wide Superlock 5/0 with much better success. Will be trying the threadlock style next Im out for longer life/use per ika

4.0 ewg hook from Trokar...only plastic i use them for cause so pricey but worth it.

I backwards rig it with a 5/0 EWG Superline hook with the eye of the hook at the top of the Ika where the "tail" is. However, I have been having trouble keeping the sharp end of the hook in the Ika. It kept popping out of the bait. Any suggestions?

Yes...Thin wire #4/0 Gamakatsue EWG Offset Worm Hook

My favorite hook is the Owner TwistLock Flippin' Hook 4/0. I screw the end with the tentacles into the twistlock and I texpose the hook. I have never lost a fish on this, and I can catch many fish on a single fat ika.

I backwards rig it with a 5/0 EWG Superline hook with the eye of the hook at the top of the Ika where the "tail" is. However, I have been having trouble keeping the sharp end of the hook in the Ika. It kept popping out of the bait. Any suggestions?

Drop one hook size.

I use either a Owner Twistlock 5/0 EWG or a Mustad 5/0 EWG hook with the Ika rigged backwards normally with the hook exposed since I haven't encountered much snagging on the hook end. I tried the 4/0 EWG hook and had the same problem with missed hookups and just switched back to the 5/0 and problem solved. I also insert a worm rattle and more of a confidence builder for me but I have caught fish on them with or without the rattle.

I use a gammy 4/0 ewg and I miss hookups fairly often as well. I'm thing of trying an offset round bend hook since the round bend gives the plastic a little more room to bunch up and the hook point is not inline with the hook eye. Has anyone tried this before?

4/0 Owner Rigg'n Hook on 20# braid with a 12# CXX leader. The combo I use is in this review: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-DHC5-performa-review.html

This gear allows me to "pop" a good hookset with snapping lighter lines, but still be able to break off quickly and retie should I get snagged on a dock piling.

If it's not too weedy you can use a 1/0 Octopus or Circle hook through the Ika just below where the tenticles start and insert a nail/neko/wacky weight in the nose of the Ika. Causes it to stand up more (sort of like a Weeble ). I use a Medium XF rod with 8lb Sniper fluoro. This works well when working up or down humps/slopes. As you are pulling it up the slope is runs parallel to the terrain, then when you stop it "pops up". Smallies say "Oh no you di-int just stand up in my face!" and smash it.

Edited August 7, 201213 yr by J Francho
Formatting

I rig "thicker" grub bodies with a X-acto knife. I use Brewer's Spider head jigs and slit the bottom of the bait lengthwise (about 1/2 way through depthwise). Using wide gap hooks I've slit the top seam of the bait (again 1/2 way through) and hide the hook point in the slit. When I "top slit" the bait I usually "kirb" the hook point slightly to bury it into the side of the slit.

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The Owner 4/0 wide gap hook has the same size gap as the Gammmie 5/0 and is 1/2" shorter, it seems to fit the Ikas perfectly.

I used to miss alot of hookups before with other brands and sizes.