What hook do you like for the big e z ?

Not sure which beast hook, guessing 6/0, but I love throwing them on the back of a dirty jigs california swim jig. Probably my favorite way to catch 'em.

scott

5/0 Gamakatsu Superline keel weighted hook with center spring.

Mike

From what I understand a big Florida secret to catching giants on this bait is fishing it on unweighted hooks. Fishing it more like a soft plastic wakebait etc. I do the same thing with the magnum speed worm from Zoom. That big EZ should kick and plop almost like a buzz toad or you can run it just under the surface slow for a nice V wake that wiggles and rolls a bit on the retrieve.

The one I like with all swimbaits ( Big EZ included) is the Mustad Power Lock Plus. It has a center spring and a very light weight. But most of all, the weight can be moved on the hook. You can put it at the back of the hook for more surface action or at the head of the hook to get more depth or anywhere in between.

4 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

From what I understand a big Florida secret to catching giants on this bait is fishing it on unweighted hooks. Fishing it more like a soft plastic wakebait etc. I do the same thing with the magnum speed worm from Zoom. That big EZ should kick and plop almost like a buzz toad or you can run it just under the surface slow for a nice V wake that wiggles and rolls a bit on the retrieve.

Pat

Yes and No

What you describe is a good way to fish them in more open water or especially over submerged grass.

Personally I don’t like fishing them unweighted especially on top or as a wake bait as there are better options for both.

Almost every girl I’ve landed over 4# and every one over 8# using them or the (RI Skinny Dipper for more wiggle) has been in and through either eel or Kissimmee grass and to a smaller degree over and through scattered hydrilla.

They are versatile and can be successful rigged both ways but down here especially on Okeechobee, a 1/8oz or at certain times a 1/4oz keel weighted hook in and through what I described is preferred.

But that’s me

Mike

4 hours ago, Mike L said:

5/0 Gamakatsu Superline keel weighted hook with center spring.

This one?

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Weighted_Superline_Spring_Lock_Hook_4pk/descpage-GSSL.html

Mike

I like using them as jig trailers. For a regular hooks, I like the Owner weighted twistlock and the Owner Horizon Head LG. I have another batch of weighted hooks but I'm not sure how makes them. The weight is positioned close to the hook eye. Somehow it seems to swim better with the weight in that spot.

With that said, I like the One Up Shad from Sawamura better. It has more of a shrimp smell to it instead of the garlic in the Gambler. Other than that, the baits are pretty similar.

3 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I like using them as jig trailers. For a regular hooks, I like the Owner weighted twistlock and the Owner Horizon Head LG. I have another batch of weighted hooks but I'm not sure how makes them but the weight is positioned close to the hook eye. Somehow it seems to swim better with the weight in that spot.

What swim jig is that? Sixth sense?

Just now, Bandersnatch said:

What swim jig is that? Sixth sense?

Got it wrong the first time.....

OSP Weed Rider. It has a tooth pick hole that is added to the hook keeper if you need it. I usually order them from Japan.

The Hook Up Tackle

Weed Rider

Swim jigs are one of the lowest rates lures for fishing in cover due to their tendency to entangle in weeds. Enter the OSP Weed Rider- built with an elongated, upturned head the Weed Rider keeps a sli

@Bandersnatch Just in case, I also noticed that the Forty Niner above is the 4in and not the bigger 5in. I use the 5in on swimjigs with bigger hooks but I do trim them down depending on the skirt.

@Bandersnatch

Yes,

Those are them

Mike