What size hook to use when Wacky rigging Stick baits

[J Francho]

I don't think hook size says anything about its ability to hook a fish, regardless of size. Too big a hook, and it impedes the bait.  Too small, and the hook loses its bite. I have caught steelhead in the teens, and brown trout over 20 with hooks as small as #10. I realize they're not the same fish, but you get the point. A 1/0 EWG is much smaller than a 1/0 finesse wide gap. You need only rig the bait to see that there either is room for the hook to work, or there isn't.

You want to talk tiny bass hooks? 5-0 smallie on a #6 dropshot/split shot hook.

Another thing to consider is each brands hook sizes. A Gamakatsu 6/0 Octopus hook is about the same size as an Owner 4/0 SSW Live Bait hook. Both work great when snelling up pegged beaver rigs (see, not all my hooks are tiny, LOL). So, it pays to not only state the size, but also the make/model of hook.

I'm not trying to convince anyone to change, just explaining that something different works, and works well. Once you have a system that's well tested with time on the water, the rest is up to confidence.

[Wayne P.]

J, my point is that the hook size should be based on the size of the plastic lure so the hook bend is not filled up with plastic, limiting penetration and even preventing the hook point from making fish contact.

I'm not asking this for my use, I already know how to pick hook sizes. I'm just trying to get the others to think about their hook choices for the best chance of producing a catch with the chosen bait and rigging.

Do you use those #6 dropshot hooks for Senko's rigged wacky style?

[J Francho]

That's my point as well, Wayne. 

Do you use those #6 dropshot hooks for Senko's rigged wacky style?

No, I would use the same hook I use for wacky rig, a 1/0 Finesse Wide Gap for 5", 2/0 for the "log sized" worms.  Same if I were drop shotting a smallie beaver, fluke, or similar.

The #6 drop shot hook works great for nose hooking 4" Power Worms, Cut Tail Worms, Roboworms, and other similar sized baits.

[angler1]

Owner #2, #1, or 1/0 wackey hook with weed guard.

[Wayne P.]

J, I have fished with several anglers that used the 1/0 or 2/0 Gammy Finesse Wide Gap hooks and they missed lots of hook sets. I got some of the weedless models of that hook for wacky Senkos and experienced the same. I've also fished with others using the weedless model with Senkos and they missed a bunch too. That is why I started making my own weedless hooks with Octopus hooks and rarely miss a fish. When the 3/0 and 4/0 Finesse Wide Gap hooks were intoduced, I gave them a try and had less missed fish, but they still did did not peform as well as the Octopus hook.

I'll PM you a senario experienced in a tournament about that hook.

[J Francho]

Tell your buddies to leave the weed guards home, and set the hook, LOL.

Don't know what to tell you Wayne. You seem intent that my way is wrong. If that's your take, so be it. It isn't an issue for me. I would argue that all the hardware on that hook is why you need to use a bigger hook, not the plastic of the Senko getting in the way. Its an apples to oranges comparison, anyway....different hooks, weedguard/no weedguard, snelled/not snelled, and probably vastly different tackle as well.

Its not always just "your way" (by that I mean me, you, and anyone else) its just "a way."

[Wayne P.]

J, I'm not saying you are wrong. I'm just advising a better alternative based on many thousands of bass caught and numerous hooks tested over 50 years. Re-read my last post, the weed guard hook and just the finesse wide gap hook is two different sentences, but the results were the same.

Maybe you will remember this thread the next time you are unsuccesful and wonder why. Good luck

[J Francho]

Maybe you will remember this thread the next time you are unsuccesful and wonder why.

That was rather snotty, and uncalled for in an otherwise good spirited, friendly debate.

[Wayne P.]

J Francho, my intent was not to be "snotty" but to be helpful. This exchange is completed, good luck.

[Kowen117]

Try these it seems that you would waste less worms with this they tell you what size hook with each size righttp://www.lftlures.com/categories/wacky-hook-weight-sysytem

[Triton21]

Triton21, why do you use a larger hook when Tx rigging the same bait? Why don't you use the same size hook with both riggings?

I base my hook size on the bait size and anticipated fish size regardless of the presentation.

63 years fishing experience.

Kelley

[6mile]

Wayne P. is a good guy..Just trying to help out..  Each person has their favorite hooks.  Personally, i have very few misses while wacky rigging a Zoom worm using a wide bend, light wire Gamy straight shank 2/0.. hook..  hard to find... it is # 49412.. Never use a weedless hook yet fish the very thick weeds and pads..

[Crestliner2008]

My hook is a Gamakatsu 1/0 In-Line Oct. Circle. I've chose the circle hook because bass are notorious in taking Senkos in deep. With the circle, I stand a much better chance or lip hooking my quarry - LM or SM.

One more thing....I always crimp down the barb on these hooks and rarely do I ever fail to land a fish.

Why do you crimp the barb?

I'm thinking about going barbless because my girls (8 & 10) want to go fishing more with me, and I'm afraid of them getting the barb below the skin.

That's a very good reason to crimp down the barb for sure. As stated in a following post, barbless hooks make removal so much easier as well. The only time that I don't crimp down the barb on any hook now, is when I'm drop shotting. Tail dancing smallies that are lip hooked only, will throw those things way too frequently! But I even crimp down trebles on my hard baits too. 

When you get to be my age, landing every fish becomes less important than the actual fishing experience. Hunting and getting the fish to bite an artificial offering is much more important to me now.

[CWB]

Depending on the thickness of the worm, a 1/0 or 2/0 Finesse Wide Gap.

This or what Wayne said if weedy.

I take 2 O-Rings and slide them on the bait and criss-cross them and insert the hook into and out through where the X is on the O-rings. better than 1 O-Ring where the hook sits parallel to the bait. Baits will last for several fish this way.

[Tin]

No one uses over-sized drop-shot/split shot hooks?