5 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

Yep guppy has a set back line tie. no issues.

But doesn’t front line tie cause them to track better? I realize both work.

8 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

But doesn’t front line tie cause them to track better? I realize both work.

I've never noticed a difference, I'd say bending the rig even and getting everything rigged up straight is the critical bit.

I believe that you are overthinking this one.  I make my own and have used hooks from 1/0 to 4/0 depending the target species.  Where I fish I have to keep the bait in the upper part of the water column because of all the hang ups.  In order to do this I like 1/16 oz heads on 90° hooks.  I use the heaviest of my rods with 50# braid.

1 hour ago, Jig Man said:

I believe that you are overthinking this one.  I make my own and have used hooks from 1/0 to 4/0 depending the target species.  Where I fish I have to keep the bait in the upper part of the water column because of all the hang ups.  In order to do this I like 1/16 oz heads on 90° hooks.  I use the heaviest of my rods with 50# braid.

So 90 degree hooks help prevent hang ups? 

On 11/2/2024 at 4:22 PM, Jig Man said:

I use the Gamakatsu #114 in 2/0 and 3/0 for that size swim bait. 

 

On 11/2/2024 at 7:39 PM, softwateronly said:

Look for 2/0 2X hooks  if you are worried about your rig’s power. Picasso ball head comes to mind. 
 

scott

 

On 11/2/2024 at 7:54 PM, softwateronly said:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Tungsten_Ball_Jig_Heads/descpage-PTBJH.html

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Jig_Head_Gamakatsu_2X_5pk/descpage-PFH2X.html

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Plus_Jig_Head_3X_Mustad/descpage-PSMP3XM.html

 

On 11/3/2024 at 3:25 PM, Peacedivision said:

I use the 1/8oz 1/0 guppy head on the micro rig with 2.75 baits. Never had any issues bending but I'm also using a normal mh/f rod and 12lb hybrid.

 

On 11/4/2024 at 1:35 PM, Peacedivision said:

I've never tried the Berkley heads but I'm sure they're solid. Really if you're bending out hooks I think you're just fishing with too much rod and line for the rig you're throwing. That irod+20lb big game is suited to a full size A rig with 5" mains on heavier wire heads & 3" teaser baits. Micro rig with 2.75s on finesse heads calls for a lighter rod and line combo. If you want to stick with the swimbait rod I would check out the 3x Picasso heads @softwateronly posted.

 

18 hours ago, WRB said:

Picssso min micro w/ Gamakatsu 2/0 2X hook for 2.8 Kietech rig jig

Tom

I have read people suggesting painting one of your baits on the A Rig, ideally the trailer with a splash of red. Does this make a discernible difference, and if so would it hurt if I simply used a different brand paddle tail that had a realistic blood spattering infusion or do I want them all to have identical action?

 

I use Big Joshy which I’ve been happy with, a local bait maker but Big Bite Baits Suïcide Shad has a very cool bloody Shad pattern available. I realize this is more for me than the fish, but this is a hobby after all 😉

There's no rules beyond the legal restrictions, I've seen guys throw 3 kastmasters on a 3 wire rig. I throw all white 99% of the time unless the water is crystal clear then I'll go with something like Keitech threadfin shad.

I did grab a couple packs of the 3X Picasso heads to check out, dang monkey.

I’ve tried about every color and combination you could think of, even making the bottom wire longer.  I’ve seen no difference.  I now only use white baits which I make, flukes and paddle tail swim baits.

21 minutes ago, Peacedivision said:

There's no rules beyond the legal restrictions, I've seen guys throw 3 kastmasters on a 3 wire rig. I throw all white 99% of the time unless the water is crystal clear then I'll go with something like Keitech threadfin shad.

I did grab a couple packs of the 3X Picasso heads to check out, dang monkey.

I just placed my TW order as well, got the dummy heads too (Ohio 3 hook limit.)

I use willow leaf blades instead of dummy baits, more flash.

On 11/2/2024 at 9:57 AM, Ohioguy25 said:

I currently have them on cheap 1/8 oz jigheads but it has come to my attention that these hooks are far too weak to throw on a swimbait setup (7’8” IRod swimbait jr w 20 lb big game) and will bend out. 
 

Should I switch all of my paddle tails over to these stronger hooks even when throwing them individually on a medium fast spinning rod with 8 lb test or only on the umbrella? I haven’t lost many fish but they do bend out on a snag.

Come to your attention how?  By reading what other say or by your own personal experience?  Have you bent out hooks with a fish on?

 

 

 

I've been using lighter wire hooks for years on my A-rigs. The lighter wire allows me to straighten the hook when snagged without losing the whole deal. I've caught 100s of A-rig fish including many 20+ lb striped bass and multiple 40+ inch muskie and have yet to have a bent hook cost me a fish.  So like a couple of others have said I think you're overthinking the whole deal. I've never cared where the line tie is, doesn't seem to matter. 

 

I use two setups for A-rigs:

Powell Max 3d 7115 rod, old Curado 200B greenie reel loaded with 20 lb Big Game. The rod is a little softer since it's a crankbait rod but I like it for shallower situations where I'm working the rig faster. 

 

Powell Endurance 795, Tatula 150 reel loaded with 20 lb Big Game. I use this one for slower/deeper situations. This rod is a little stouter despite both being 5 power. That little extra is useful when a real hookset is needed. 

On 11/6/2024 at 9:51 AM, Ohioguy25 said:

I just placed my TW order as well, got the dummy heads too (Ohio 3 hook limit.)

After receiving and inspecting I would bet good money those 3x Picasso heads are using the exact same hook as a dirty jigs Matt Allen head.

4 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

After receiving and inspecting I would bet good money those 3x Picasso heads are using the exact same hook as a dirty jigs Matt Allen head.

But you can get it in 2/0, which can be key.  I like the matt allen head for larger baits and their mini underspin is just about perfect for me except the price and no 1/2oz option.

 

scott

2 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

But you can get it in 2/0, which can be key.  I like the matt allen head for larger baits and their mini underspin is just about perfect for me except the price and no 1/2oz option.

 

scott

 

4 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

After receiving and inspecting I would bet good money those 3x Picasso heads are using the exact same hook as a dirty jigs Matt Allen head.

How do those 3X Mustads stack up against Gammys?

Unless your are actually opening up the hook on a fish I wouldn't worry about it.

I personally use a thin wire hook on a 1/8 oz ball head so I can straighten the hook if the thing gets hung up. 25ib. flouro ,wrap it around the boat cleat and hit the trollin' motor ,something will give,