Tex-Rigged more like Mess-Rigged

[Masaccio]

I used a 3.0 hook on a 4" offset Keitech paddletail.  Was the hook too large?  I did have a nice little weight on it with a bobber-keeper that worked perfectly.  Otherwise, every time I threw the bait, it wrinkled up on the hook or it caught a lot of weeds, or both.  I have these:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=versatile+keeper   Maybe they will help the head stay in place?

Sigh. It was a fun day anyway. My casting kept getting better and better.  The only catch was a baby largemouth on the lowest tech rod I brought along, with a finesse grub (successfully Tex-rigged (dumb luck)) that I'd already prepared for creek fishing.      

That should have read a 3.0 offset hook on a 4" Keitech paddletail.    

[Munkin]

Try the Owner weighted hook. 

 

Allen 

[casts_by_fly]

not sure which hook you were using, but a couple things to consider.  If it was just a plan EWG style hook with no screw lock, then the pegs you put there can help keep the head up at the eye or the tail near the barb.  Texposing the hook will keep the tail end in place and keep you weedless.  Getting the hook position right so that the bait is straight will also help.

 

Swimbait hooks with a screw lock at the eye will help keep the head in place and with a keitech will help them last longer.  Keitechs are super salty and will break the more they move around on the hook.  Same rules above apply for the tail end.  A 3/0 should be close enough for a 4" keitech.

[scaleface]

Once soft plastics catch a bass or yanked out of a snag the head ,where the hook enters and exits becomes damaged , making it susceptible to balling up . There are a lot of different ways to peg them in place . I use a strand from a jig weed guard .

[Big Hands]

I use a 2/0 Roboworm Rebarb or 2/0 Owner Cover Shot hook for the 4" Keitech Swing Impact (NOT the Fat Swing Impact) and the 4" Easy Shiner baits that I fish on a Carolina rig.

 

I use the same hooks in 1/0 for the same 3.5" baits.

 

If I can't find those hooks in stock, I use an plain old Owner worm hook in the same sizes.

 

I have tried several offset type hooks, but my hookup ratio seems to be lower when using those hook types.

 

I bury the eye inside of the bait and whittle down a flat toothpick to keep the hook in place. Best method I have found to work for me.

 

I don't use heavy hooks because I don't need to and I feel like they would stifle the action. On a TX rig, that probably isn't as much of a consideration. At any rate, I think a 3/0 hook on a 4" Keitech could be overkill on the 4" Keitech paddletail baits. Since you say it's a 4", that indicates that it isn't the Fat Impact because it doesn't come in a 4" size. The regular Swing Impact and the Easy Shiner does come in 4".

 

Also, I have found that a firm sweeping hookset works better than really cracking them with those baits. Sometimes, I even have to let them chew for a few seconds before setting the hook. And, in spite of them supposedly having a built in 'squid' scent, I add my own scent. It's amazing and ridiculous how long they will hold onto that Swing Impact bait.

 

One other thing. . . . **cough, cough - electric shad - cough**

[Munkin]

Owner Weighted Twistlock CPS Hook 3pk - Tackle Warehouse

 

Bass Pro Shops XPS 210-Piece Clam Shot Sinker Kit | Bass Pro Shops

 

BPS also makes this kit of sinkers you can crimp on any hook shank.

 

Allen

[Chris Cavanaugh]

Tbh this question and the replies are confusing. A simple Texas rig weighted or not is si.ple and can be done with any hook. It's the most common weedless rig, just hook it and cast. An owner hook isn't going to be better than any other hook. Just push the hook through,  twist and skin hook on either side. Keeps it weedless and the hookset is clean.

[Bdnoble84]

On 10/7/2022 at 10:35 PM, Chris Cavanaugh said:

Tbh this question and the replies are confusing. A simple Texas rig weighted or not is si.ple and can be done with any hook. It's the most common weedless rig, just hook it and cast. An owner hook isn't going to be better than any other hook. Just push the hook through,  twist and skin hook on either side. Keeps it weedless and the hookset is clean.

The issue for the OP is that the keitech is sliding down the shank on a traditional worm hook. Keitechs are bad for this. Much more than any other soft plastic i have ever used. You really need a wire keeper or screw lock to keep them pinned. 

[Chris Cavanaugh]

Never used them guess I will keep it that way.

[Jig Man]

You might want to put a keeper on the hook.  Most any wire of even weed guard will work.  I like floral wire.  

You can even use heat shrink tubing.