what knot do you guys use to secure the hook to your line? also, what's a good size hook to use?

I would believe that many people including myself use the Palomar Knot.

There is a knot that Aaron Martens uses that I would like to try but I can't recall the name of that knot. Hopefully someone can fill us in.

As for the hook size, you will get a number of suggestions.

For general, open water/ not too much cover areas, I prefer to use size 2 (mostly) owner mosquitos or gammy split shot/drop shot hooks as a first choice, and if no other choice sizes 4 or 1 of the same hook.

I will either nose hook or wacky rig the bait.

If it is grassy that will lead to grass filled hooks, I will use some sort of mini EWG hook like the owner downshot and T-rig the bait Tex-sposed.

Thread the hook with tthe point facing up, tie a polomar knot and leave a lot of excess in the tag end, then take the tag end, slip it back through the eye so it will keep the hook facing up and you are good to go.

I would believe that many people including myself use the Palomar Knot.

There is a knot that Aaron Martens uses that I would like to try but I can't recall the name of that knot. Hopefully someone can fill us in.

As for the hook size, you will get a number of suggestions.

For general, open water/ not too much cover areas, I prefer to use size 2 (mostly) owner mosquitos or gammy split shot/drop shot hooks as a first choice, and if no other choice sizes 4 or 1 of the same hook.

I will either nose hook or wacky rig the bait.

If it is grassy that will lead to grass filled hooks, I will use some sort of mini EWG hook like the owner downshot and T-rig the bait Tex-sposed.

now, is that 2/0? or just size 2? that seems awfully small...

I tie mine on a j hook, or the original worm hook with a palomar. Do like cwen said for the rest.

It seems odd but yes, size 2 and not 2/0. It took me a while to get over that. ;D

However, this is a starting point, not a law. If you feel more comfortable using a larger hook, no one is going to stop you.

well, where i am, we have the northern lm species, and they are much smaller. besides, i LOVE the action. i was dropshotting with a size 2 for small mouth and a 3 inch power grub... i was really surprised that all that bit me was a tree!

Definitely learn to tie the palomar knot for use with any drop shot hook. This will enable you to keep the hook point UP, which helps in hooking the fish, of either species, in the top lip. Don't forget...once tied, put the tag end back down through the eye of the hook. This will keep it at about a 45 deg. angle to the main line. Then tie on your weight.

Hook size/style depends on where you are fishing and for what. If you are fishing for small mouth bass in deep, open water, then a standard mosquito/drop shot hook in size 2 (not 2/0) will suffice - but do NOT go smaller!

If you are fishing for largemouths on the weed edges - or thicker - go with a small off-set worm hook, like you use in texas rigging worms. You can get this style hook in very small sizes. Gamakatsu has several. I use the size 1 or 2's for this applications (again not size 1/0 or 2/0!).

For small mouths, nose hook or wacky rig your plastic worms. If you are using a minnow imitator, then nose hooking is the preferred method.

For largemouths, always texas rig unless the cover is very scarce.

JMO!

i tie it with the improved clinch knott...i dont like to use the palomar because i have had issues with it breaking when i am using flurocarbon on light line...i have never had any problems with the improved clinch...very solid and dependable knott...i use a gammy #2 hook for 4 inch worms and a #1 for 5-6 inch worms and texas rig it...works well for me