Hooks for Plastics

[bryand82487]

So every year when I've almost ran out of hooks for my plastics I can't remember for the life of me what types and sizes I used for which baits.  I know most work but some sizes have their benefits and work better than others.  I mainly try to stick with Gamakatsu or Owner hooks.  I'm trying to come up with a spreadsheet this year so I can remember from here on out, and don't have to start experimenting all over. Does anyone have a spreadsheet or word doc put together that they use for 7.5" worms, 10" worms, Big Ikas, Senkos, Rage Tail baits, etc...?

[RobE]

I'm sorry my TN bro (I was born/raised in Memphis) but, I just learned about spreadsheets 7 years ago and my lack of 'puter skills never factored in. Are you getting a little too deep into it??  :-?

[midnighthrasher]

4/0 ewg gamagatsu or owner

[Big Bait Fishing]

stick with Owner hooks !! i suggest twistlocks in 3/0-5/0 for most soft baits , Owner over- sized worm hooks in 7/0 for 9"-12" worms . for thick plastics ( big senkos , ika's ,etc..) change out the centering pin spring on the twist-locks with the large ones (1/4") , i find myself using the twistlocks for most all plastics other than drop shotting , then i use owner octopus hooks , and then use Owner wack hooks for wacky rigging stick baits . and last but not least , Owner ST-41 trebles to replace all stock hooks on crankbaits and swimbaits ..... 

[soccplayer07]

Here is what I use:

Large worms: Owner Wide Gap Plus Black Chrome Hook 5/0

http://www.***.com/descpage-O5139.html

Ikas/Senkos: Owner Wide Gap Plus Black Chrome Hook 4/0

Rage Tails vary from 4/0 to 5/0. For the shad I prefer a 4/0 while for the frog I prefer a 5/0 or an Owner Beast Hook w/ Twistlock. For other rage baits I either use an EWG 4/0 or an Owner Weighted Beast Hook w/ Twistlock. http://www.***.com/descpage-OWBWT.html

Hope this helps.

[Raul]

If I were to purchase hooks I would put more emphasis on 3/0 EWGs, add a pack of 1/0s, a pack of 4/0s, a pack of 5/0s and you are ready.

[roadwarrior]

If I were to purchase hooks I would put more emphasis on 3/0 EWGs, add a pack of 1/0s, a pack of 4/0s, a pack of 5/0s and you are ready.

I don't need the 1/0s.

[Big Bait Fishing]

If I were to purchase hooks I would put more emphasis on 3/0 EWGs, add a pack of 1/0s, a pack of 4/0s, a pack of 5/0s and you are ready.

I don't need the 1/0s.

i use 1/0 ewg hooks alot of times for dropshotting , most times works better than octopus hooks 

[bilgerat]

Download and print this chart. It must be printed to be the correct scale. *Note* The sizes on the chart are accurate, but different manufacturers size their products slightly different. Example: An Owner 4/0 hook may be slightly different than a Mustad 4/0, but not by much.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Content/Parts_Sizing.htm

[A-Rob]

Use as big a hook as you can get away with....thats my rule of thumb.

with that being said, grab a package of of each size and throw them in the tackle box. Then you can just throw whatever hook in you need/want.

I mainly use 3/0 hooks for my tubes, worms, etc for my smallmouth buddies, and a 4/0 hook for most of my soft plastics for largemouths. Extra big stuff or topwater I go 5/0.

[Fishes in trees]

There is no rule of thumb, other than pick one that looks correct on the bait you've chosen.  Thicker soft  plastic baits require a wider gap hook.  The February 2010 issue of In-Fisherman had an article describing why you should use a straight shank hook for flipping.