I can't seem to decide on what Size and Style Hook I like for fishing the Shellcracker and I have been using it for Flipping and pitching isolated patches of cover, and I want to use a larger hook but afraid it will kill the action of the bait. I typically rig it under a 3/8-1/2 oz tungsten weight and was curious as to how most of you rig this bait and fish it?

 

Thanks in advance, I used to fish the Bass Pro Clone Shads/Pesky Perch soft baits but they lacked any action and I never did well. The Shellcracker has been productive for me a few times and I am still learning how to fish the bait more efficiently, but I have been missing some strikes and I think it is because of my hook size.

Rage Rig (1/4 oz Moaner weighted hook)  https://www.google.com/search?q=moaner+weighted+hook&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=6PNPVIzoN4a1yATT04DoBg&ved=0CDoQsAQ&biw=1536&bih=864

 

 

 

Thanks. I may just try that rig....

If your hook is already coming out where the marks are on the bait then I am not sure how much bigger you can get since its at the very end of the bait. I just try them out recently for the first time my self but never really gave them much of a shot. I rigged them from both way using a twist lock hook and I can say that going actually through the body and not rigging it flat was way difficult to get it in there correct. I would maybe not use a lock next time if I rig that way as anything with those in them make it harder to rig a hook straight. I'm no rookie with those either but maybe I was just off that day.

If your hook is already coming out where the marks are on the bait then I am not sure how much bigger you can get since its at the very end of the bait. I just try them out recently for the first time my self but never really gave them much of a shot. I rigged them from both way using a twist lock hook and I can say that going actually through the body and not rigging it flat was way difficult to get it in there correct. I would maybe not use a lock next time if I rig that way as anything with those in them make it harder to rig a hook straight. I'm no rookie with those either but maybe I was just off that day.

Thanks, it is a tricky bait that I naturally want to rig flat as well, or with a jighead, but I have heard it is a good bait for flipping and pitching, but when I try it on a twistlock or heavy flipping hook I seem to miss more strikes than I normally would using a beaver style bait etc....I like the potential of this bait as it must be fantastic during the spawn and even now in the fall as the shad are similar in size, and so are all the small panfish from this year...I guess I need to experiment with hooks and I don't even know if I am using a 5/0 or smaller since my tray is a mess of all sizes and styles of hooks. I would think the rage rig that everyone talks about would work if flat, but maybe I need a larger Wide gap, I just like to use offset straight shanks as much as possible.

 

Thanks again, glad I am not the only one who has found it tricky.

As long as your hook ends up where it needs or you want it to be it doesn't really matter if you know what size it is. It is just when you go to grab more and you standing there thinking $#@! was that a 4 or a 5 ect. Just grab them all. I doubt they will go to waste. I have never measured it but a 5 is around 2 1/2 3/8" I think. 

gama 4/0 heavy cover flippin' hook.