Hello,

 

What is the "proper" hook size for a 4-1/2 plastic Craw or Grub ?

 

What hook style do you use ?

 

Thanks,

Bob

Probably a 3/0 or 4/0 EWG.  Depends more on the thickness/bulk of the bait than the length.

Ive used 1/0 or 2/0 for everything, dont know why, just do.

I was thinking about this recenty. Long ago when I got interested in river smallies I used a #4 oshaunessy[sp] EC hook in all my hair jigs. I didn`t miss many fish nor did I get hung up as much as the larger hooks I use now. Also I feel less damage  was done to the fish. Maybe I should go back?

 

Obviously with the plastic baits ,a larger hook is in order. Mostly 1/0 & 2/0 for me.

A three of four size EWG gama hook.  I like a thin wire hook because it sticks much better on the hook set.  The exception to this is when flipping or pitching heavy cover.  Then I use a heavier wire hook.

A three of four size EWG gama hook. I like a thin wire hook because it sticks much better on the hook set. The exception to this is when flipping or pitching heavy cover. Then I use a heavier wire hook.

^^^This all the way

A three of four size EWG gama hook.  I like a thin wire hook because it sticks much better on the hook set.  The exception to this is when flipping or pitching heavy cover.  Then I use a heavier wire hook.

 

I'm not trying to be contentious or anything, but I assume that you mean a size 3/0 or 4/0. There's a lot of difference between a size 4 hook and a size 4/0. 

 

Tom

Your only option is to experiment and see what works for you.  Try different brands and shapes - one will work better for you.  I know lots of guys use the wide gap hooks.  I got away from those somewhat last year and was using the regular bend Gamakatsu hooks on my home made jika rigs, rather than the wide gap ones that you commonly see on commercial jika rigs.   Using full size brush hogs, I don't feel like using the narrower gap hook cost me ANY hook ups last year.

 

So, that's my advice - pick and choose and make up your own mind.

I like to use the smallest hook I can get away with while still having plenty of hook after pushing down the worm on the shank. I would think most brands in the 1/0-3/0 would cover the 2 baits mentioned, but thickness matters as well. If using light line, you can use a thin wire hook and if in open water you can keep your drag loose and the lighter and smaller the hook is, the better action the bait has when rigged weightless or with a light weight...

 

Hook size and style is personal preference, sometimes I like to use oversized hooks on Grubs when using them as buzzbaits over cover on braid, I know the GYB site recommends a 5/0 offset worm hook for a 5" senko, but I often use smaller hooks when fishing them weightless & different brands have different gaps etc...

 

Lunker City makes a hook called the Texposer and Tackle warehouse sells them, I find that they are the best for weedless rigging and keeping the worm perfectly straight on the hook. I like Owner hooks for light wire hooks and most worm hooks in general, the sizes fit most baits really well and the keeper hook style owners are fantastic.

 

Hook size and style is personal preference, sometimes I like to use oversized hooks on Grubs when using them as buzzbaits over cover on braid, I know the GYB site recommends a 5/0 offset worm hook for a 5" senko, but I often use smaller hooks when fishing them weightless & different brands have different gaps etc...

 

I am with you man, when I first started to get into fishing I used 5 inch senkos with size 1 and 1/0 offset round bend worm hooks. they worked fine back then, today I don't like to go over 3/0 with a 5 inch senko.

The best way I've found is to lay he plastic bait along side the hook's shank. If there isn't enough open space between the plastic and the hook point for it to grab hold without compressing the plastic, I go up in hook size until there is.

My   rule of thumb is the gap should be at least twice as large as the worm is thick.

I grew up saltwater fishing and one thing I never understood about freshwater fishing were people feeling the need to use 5/0 EWG hooks for a 5" worm.

 

In saltwater bait size determines hook size, not fish size. I tried out the 5/0 & 5" worm combo and didn't like it. Too much splash, too fast sink, unnatural action, etc. After trial and error, I've found out the hard way the rule is still the same. 

 

You can catch a 350 pound tuna on a hook smaller than a 5/0 EWG... LOL!

 

OP - I suggest you apply the general rule of thumb that Primetime, Wisconsin, PapaJoe, and Scaleface are saying, rather than going with a fixed answer such as "definitely 1/0" bc we don't know how thick of a grub your using. a 4.5" Havoc Pit Boss will likely need a different hook than a 4.5" Rage Craw. Its also much easier to learn the "rule" so you can apply it to different baits than to memorize a hook size for each bait.

I use a hook that has a gap twice the width of the plastic. That could mean #8 or 8/0, but usually something between.

I personally don't like EWG hooks, not fond of the bait slipping up the shank of the hook.  Prefer a Gamma G-lock in a 3/0-4/0  but seem to be a size smaller then a Mustad Ultra Grip Hook (4/0 Gamma is about the same as a 3/0) which also works well as I like the that design as well.  Flipping hooks, I like a 3/0 in 4" beaver style baits, but craw baits a bit bigger would go with a 4/0.  Bottom line though is you fish what you think works best for you as there are many choices.  As long as you're catching fish and being successful that is all that matters.