I have read tons of opinions on EWG style hooks and straight shanks but have not read much on offset shank RB worm hooks. For what applications should I consider them?

I like a 1/0 round bend hook for trick worms and other thinner style plastics. 

I like a 4/0 RB style for trick worms. I have gone to a 3/0 RB for Baby Brush Hogs and I believe my hook up ratio has improved over using an EWG. I also use a 2/0 RB for Ultra Vibe Speed Craws. I once had a fellow that works at BPS and does a lot of fishing demos tell me the EWG was the worst hook ever invented and he didn't allow them in his boat. Just for reference I only use Gamakatsu hooks.

I use round bend hooks for almost all my worms when fishing them on a texas or c-rig. For anything that is thick, which has been described on here multiple times as more than half of the gap from point to shank, I use an EWG or straight shank. I only use Gamakatsu hooks as well but have some trokars to try out this year.

EWG = Escape Without Grab. If I'm not using a stout straight shank hook, I'm on a round bend offset. I wish someone made some with shorter shanks. 

Fish what you have confidence in based on your own experience.

My personal fish catch by hook type for soft plastics breaks down like this:

EWG 75%

Straight shank 25 %

Round bend - have them, but honestly haven't felt the need to tie one on in 10 years.

A-Jay

As I understand,

Hookup Ratio:

EWG: Good

Offset Worm: Better

Straight Shank: Best

 

Weedless:

Straight Shank: Good

Offset Worm: Better

Straight Shank: Best

 

Obviously there are certain situations/baits where this does not apply. 

it’s offset shank for me ?

I think I’ve used EWG hooks for something like 15 years now. I have rb hooks but I never use them. 

I like the other style of hood bend rather than the round bend, I forget what it is called.  Sproat? O'Shaughnessy?

My hooks sometimes get disorganized.   I will use a given size offset round bend hook when I can't find the size I want in the sproat or whatever it is called style.  I have EWG hooks in the boat, but I don't use them very often.

The only hook style I use for Flukes. 

EWG hooks have their place with thicker baits like Flukes , Senkos , etc. Hook up ratio is not enough of a problem to complain about . 2/0 to 4/0 RB offset for thinner baits such as finesse and trick worms .

Any bait dragged on the bottom gets an offset.   The way a smallmouth will sometimes try and headbutt something against the bottom causes ewg hooks to turn on its side (think of a sailboat balancing on its keel, the keel being the ewg) any downward force and it'll tip over.

My breakdown goes like this:

 

-Thin plastics fished mostly in open water or with a weight - Offset

-Thin plastics fished weightless and in cover - Straight Shank

-Thick plastics in general - EWG

-Fragile plastics/paddletails - Screwlock Swimbait Hook. 

 

There are exceptions to this but it’s more or less how I do it. 

 

They constitute nearly all of my plastics fishing that don't require the larger EWG hook. If I were you I would consider them for when ever you don't actually need the larger gap to compensate for the plastic potentially balling up and preventing hook penetration.

On 4/10/2019 at 1:33 PM, BassWhole! said:

EWG = Escape Without Grab. If I'm not using a stout straight shank hook, I'm on a round bend offset. I wish someone made some with shorter shanks. 

I’m gonna steal that, I hate EWG hooks.