Having a hard time getting an acceptable hook up percentage fishing plastic worms. I'm 50% or less. What types of worms, hooks, and weights are you the most satisfied with? Yesterday was no exception. Set the hook on several and lost most. Sometimes the hook did not even penetrate the worm. I have been using a fatter Senko type because I am getting bites but should I expect more success with a narrower worm or should I continue with what is being eaten? Lastly when Texas rigging do you like a free weight or one that is built into the eye of the hook?

Thanks everyone!

Use 2 hooks 1 in the nose and 1 1/4 to 1/2" from end of worm. Your fish are experienced with worms & hooks.

So these are standard 5" senkos you're using? They are not too fat  and smallmouth should have no trouble with them. When rigging a 5' senko, I like a 3/0 EWG. I go weightless each time. If I were to use a weight it would not be pegged.

 

I do have to admit that sometimes I don't set the hook after feeling the first 'bite', but after a few seconds of feeling the weight of the fish, I set the hook. Of course, this could be dangerous as you have the potential to gut hook a fish but it has not happened to me yet. It has been my experience that smallmouth almost "chew" (for a lack of a better word) a bigger/longer soft plastic as opposed to swallowing it whole. When and how are you setting the hook in relation to the bite? I think you can find a solution by looking there first. Good luck!

I fish a senko on a 3/0 for 4” and 4/0 for 5”. Texas rig it and barely skin hook the point. I should say they are EWG hooks, Berkeley fusion hooks. If I am fishing it wack 2/0 wacky from vmc with a weed guard. 
 

t rigged 1/8 and 1/4 usually the only weight I throw on it, no pegging it either. 

I use them like this the most, it’s very sticky 

 

for a 5 inch stick worm, I would use something like a 3/16 oz shakey head with a bigger hook 

 

6 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I use them like this the most, it’s very sticky 

 

for a 5 inch stick worm, I would use something like a 3/16 oz shakey head with a bigger hook 

Absolutely 

23 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I use them like this the most, it’s very sticky 

 

for a 5 inch stick worm, I would use something like a 3/16 oz shakey head with a bigger hook 

Thanks.....I am trying to eliminate some of the hang ups as I also fish the big river like you do. Is that a Zoom Dead Ringer? I used to fish them and I have forgotten how effective they are. The Texas rigs sure reduce the hang ups in current but I just can't get an acceptable hook percentage.

6 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Thanks.....I am trying to eliminate some of the hang ups as I also fish the big river like you do. Is that a Zoom Dead Ringer? I used to fish them and I have forgotten how effective they are. The Texas rigs sure reduce the hang ups in current but I just can't get an acceptable hook percentage.

That’s it. Everything gets hung in TN river. I saw a pro using a ned rig below Wilson Dam in practice and he said “I don’t have enough jig heads to run this pattern” ? and I’m guessing most pros have hundreds of jig heads 

High pressure, low water, big current or none...the rocks are always biting.