I'm sure this is a thread somewhere, but what are your favorite hook types for plastics? All rigs and why? I'm curious to which has the best hook up ratio for you. 

 

Thanks

 

I use a straight shank for punching and wide gaps for all other rigs. 

I use flipping hooks for flipping creature baits. For tricks and ribbon tails and brush hogs I use offset round bend 3/0-4/0. Everything else I use EWG. 

EWG no questions.

 

Straight shanks are the most common method for punching, but a lot of people use EWG as well. I personally like texas rigging a bait on a EWG for punching, I think it hides the hook better. 

I’ve been using more EWG hooks lately, but this year I might try going back to regular worm hooks. There’s lots of bottom vegetation where I fish. 1 caught fish or snag in some grass and the Tex-posed hook becomes exposed, snagging grass every time I cast it out. Gets annoying after a while. 

For most worms, a round bend offset, 3/0 - 5/0. Big worms (culprit Fat Max, etc.), lizards and craws, EWG 3/0 - 5/0, whatever size fits the bait. 

 

Tom

I use regular offset hooks for most plastics and only use EWG's for fat baits that require it. I choose a hook with a gap slightly larger than  twice the width of the bait .   

In the past I have used EWG hooks for everything.  This year I am going to try some round bend offset hooks to see what happens.

I'm curious if anyone thinks they get a better hook up percentage with the traditional round bend vs wide gap

I think you get a better hook up with offsets over EWG's .  

1 hour ago, Finnz922 said:

I'm curious if anyone thinks they get a better hook up percentage with the traditional round bend vs wide gap

 

Absolutely ?

I have been using Mister Twister Keeper hooks successfully for 25 years for just about everything plastics related. They have caught me hundreds (thousands?) of bass. I see no reason to change now.

Gam ewg hooks in the apprioriate size. Better hookup ratio for me personally.

6 hours ago, Catt said:

This for anything under 10". G-lock mag worm hook for anything over 10"

Truturn 3 ought was always my go to, but started using Gamahatzu last year and like em better. I believe I have a better hook up ratio on my 7in Red Shad . {My Fav} 

Owner twist locs for Senko type baits, offset round bends for worms.

3 hours ago, Finnz922 said:

I'm curious if anyone thinks they get a better hook up percentage with the traditional round bend vs wide gap

Yes, I use straight shank for pitching and flipping, and round bend offset for everything else. 

Owner twistlocks for all worms. Jungle hooks for creatures. Straight shanks just have that hook up ratio.

For when I texas rig: I've tried quite a few of the options around for worms and other plastics... for me an EWG offset in 2/0-3/0 usually works the best cause there is always underwater debris. The round bends don't texpose worth a bean. The more abrupt angle of the EWGs just work better for me. I have tried the twistlock stuff... they hold the bait well but I hate how the hooks sit in the plastic. The owner ones are closest to the standard EWGs but I dislike how the twistlock is attached. I've had those snap some lines because of how they sit inside the eyelet.

 

Topwater: I don't do this often because there's never any interest in them, but a round bend offset will work fine for this by theory.

 

For wacky rigs: with lighter baits, I prefer a small weighted jig intended for this. For heavier baits a finesse hook usually works just fine, sans the weed guard. Weed guards cost me hook-ups, I just never can get them to set. Spinshot hooks also work well for wacky worming on dropshot rigs.

@FishDewd ya don't Texpose straight shank hooks!

 

What puzzles me is most anglers use straight shank round bend hook for punching heavy cover. When I ask em why they say "fast solid hookups"; ya don't want that the rest of the time why?

Last year, I put away the ewg for offset round bends and glad I did for any worms up to 7 inches

30 minutes ago, NHBull said:

Last year, I put away the ewg for offset round bends and glad I did for any worms up to 7 inches

Worms or all plastics up to 7"?

 

Have you looked at the new McClelland hybrid from Gamakatsu?

Straight shank/ flipping hooks. Preferrebly the Gamakatsu Heavy Duty Worm Hook. Sometimes I will use offset round bends but I hate EWGs.

Gama EWG for just about everything. Got a few packs of berkely fusion hooks (3/0 EWG, dropshot, flipping, and swimbait) I am going to try out this year

3 hours ago, Catt said:

@FishDewd ya don't Texpose straight shank hooks!

 

What puzzles me is most anglers use straight shank round bend hook for punching heavy cover. When I ask em why they say "fast solid hookups"; ya don't want that the rest of the time why?

I said round bends not straight shanks... I was talking about offset worm hooks.