I bought two kinds of hooks for T-rigging. The EWG hooks like this:

 

 

And the standard t-rigging hooks like this:

 

I use the EWGs for my fatter soft plastics, like Rage Bugs, and the standard hooks for my thinner plastics, like worms. Am I doing the right thing?

 

That’s exactly how I do it. EWG for the wider baits, offset straight shank for the thinner ones. Usually only finesse worms and ribbon tails.

 

Although lately, the EWGs are becoming my all purpose T-rig hook. I like being able to “texpose” the hook, and it’s easier to do that with an EWG. 

Thanks, Jesse. I'm also thinking of using EWGs for even my skinny lures too. I think I have a higher hookup percentage with them.

I’ve heard that EWG hooks can reduce hook up percentages due to hook point being in line with the eye, but I’ve never noticed that. If I get a clean hook set on an EWG, it sticks em. 

Yes, I only use the EWG if necessary (fatter plastic). Hook up ratio is better with standard worm hook. 

7 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Yes, I only use the EWG if necessary (fatter plastic). Hook up ratio is better with standard worm hook. 

 

 

Same.

17 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Yes, I only use the EWG if necessary (fatter plastic). Hook up ratio is better with standard worm hook. 

Same. Also I believe the round bend has better hook ups than the hard bend or offset.

26 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Yes, I only use the EWG if necessary (fatter plastic). Hook up ratio is better with standard worm hook. 

 

Me too. I have better luck with Gamakatsu off set EWGs but in general with EWGs I notice that I am pulling plastics through a fish's mouth more often than I like.

I just use EWG for everything. Probably user error, but my presentation always sucks with the standard. I've never had a problem with hook-up ratio. If a bass bites my T-rig, he might as well have swam into the net, provided he can't find cover to use against me. 

I use offset worm hooks for most soft plastic rigging. Texas rigs with senkos, flukes, and most other worms.

 

I use EWG hooks for thicker soft plastics, or, if I want my lure to have a bit of a keel to keep it from spinning, such as I occasionally do when texas rigging a curly tail grub.

 

I  believe that the fish pay attention to the hook in heavily pressured waters,  and I have more confidence with a soft plastic if it has the least amount of hook visible.

3 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

 

3 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

 

I use the EWGs for my fatter soft plastics, like Rage Bugs, and the standard hooks for my thinner plastics, like worms. Am I doing the right thing?

 

 

Correct.

 

You need thick baits to clear the hook point when they collapse from a bite, so the EWG works better.

 

Whereas there isn't much to worry about in this regard with a worm, so the standard hook works better. An exception might be a magnum worm or a poop worm.

 

I generally fish things of a thicker variety (Poop, Dolive Beaver, etc) so it's always EWG for me.

Yup, I have a couple of videos about this topic.  Hope they help!

 

 

 

 

I my 70+ years of bass fishing with soft plastics the highest % of hook set to landing bass is using the straight shank round bend hooks skin hooked.
EWG hooks work with extra thick/fat body soft plastics otherwise the straight round bend is all I use, with 2 exceptions; Owner #5133 down shoot off set hook for weed less drop and slip sot rigs and Jungle weedkess wacky hook for wacky rigs.

Tom

I like the straight shank as well. In my case the Trokar TK 130. 

26 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

I like the straight shank as well. In my case the Trokar TK 130. 

I’ve said it before, Best straight shank made. 
It’s been my punch/heavy cover hook for years. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I have used ewg hooks for everything for a long time. But I am switching to only using them On fluke baits now. It’s a slimmer profile with a round bend and my hook ups are no worse. Should have done it years ago. But earlynon I started using ewg just so I wouldn’t have to tie another hook. I don’t switch baits to much anymore. So no worries 

Use: Gamakatsu Finesse Hybrid hooks 3.0 and 4.0, T-Rigging Trick worms and lizards. Use: Tru Turn on Zoom finesse worms and small lizards, 2.0 and 1.0. Like the cheaper Tru Turn version -- lighter. Always sharpen the Tru Turn hooks. Use: Gamakatsu Inline Octopus Circle hooks for Wacky Rig.

Good Fishing

4 minutes ago, GreenTrout said:

Gamakatsu Finesse Hybrid

These are VERY good hooks. 

This is how I do it with minimal lost fish on hookset.

5.0 Gamy EWG.

4.0 offset worm hook.

Like someone mentioned the Ol' monster gets the EWG.

I use EWGs mainly, from a #2 to a 6/0 depending on the hook and what softplastic I'm using. I have never had an issue with hook ups with EWGs but you can put the wrong EWG hook with the wrong plastic. @Bird's picture is a good explanation of the right way. 

 

With that said, I do use straight shank hooks like the Owner Cover Shot for thinner worms. I've not had an issue with this hook but most straight shank hooks lose fish for me. Hook ups are great but I've had more fish pop off on these hooks than any other.  I think I have tried pretty much evey brand and style. I can't really explain it.

 

 

I'm the same as most here.  I'll pick the skinniest hook gap that the lure will allow and then the length has to be right so that the bend is going through the thick part of the plastic to help it hold up to multiple fish.  Using a rage bug as an example, I use either an EWG or a straight shank flipping hook, usually a 3/0 but it depends on the brand and specific hook.  The gamakatsu EWG in a 4/0 has a perfect hook gape, but it is too long for a standard rage bug because the bend goes through the bait roughly at the head/eyes where it is thin.  I'll grab a shorter hook so it goes through the mid-body better.

 

I use EWG, straight shank, and round bend offset and all give good hooksets.  Something to consider is the cover you're going through.  I fish mostly grass and an EWG hangs up on grass a little more than the others.  The cleanest is an offset round bend where the thickness of the plastic is about twice the offset of the eye so that when you put the hook through the plastic the plastic overhangs the entire offset of the eye.  Combine that with a skinny nosed weight and it will slide through grass easily.  My second best is a straight shank hook because it is a smooth angle down the bait with no 90-degree bends.  

I agree but would add that when using EWG, my hook up percentage increased greatly when I switched to the Owner Haymaker. The point is on a more upward angle. Just don't expose the point. It will grab any and everything!

Straight shank for T rigs works best for me 

I've used straight shanks, offset round bend, and EWG in the past, but like @Jar11591 have slowly migrated to EWGs almost exclusively in the last several years.  I don't experienced reduced hookups with EWGs compared to the other hooks, but I do experience less tackle-fiddling when on the water.

 

I still use straight-shank flipping hooks for heavy cover sometimes though. 

I switched from Gamakatsu EWGs to Owner offset shank worm hooks and my hookup ratio went way up.