Offset Vs Ewg Hooks

[clayton86]

Which do you use or prefer. I have mostly EWG of some sort and a few packs of offset but mostly use the EWG. I seen in one of Glenn's video's bout hook up ratio being slightly better with the offsets so im wondering what everyone else uses and why.

[roadwarrior]

90% 3/0, 4/0, 5/0 or 6/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks. Gamakatsu, Owner, Trokar, Moaner (Mustad)

10% 5/0 Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend

[Big-O]

For the majority of EWG's, the point is basically in line with the hooks eye... making the point follow the eye position during the hook set which has it's drawbacks for some presentations. These hooks are popular for skin hooking baits and keeping them straight while on the hook. The extra wide gap also allows more room for the thicker style baits to roll up into the belly of the hook and still provide ample room for the hook point to find meat during the hook set. The facts are, that straight shank hooks provide better hook up %'s and offset hooks are a closer profile to a straight shank hook than EWG's. My preference changes depending on which bait presentation I choose but I like the standard offset hooks for many situations. With all EWG's, I tweak them to improve the Hook up %'s and yet still keep maximum strength in the wire.

I am waiting on a better hook... IMO, all that is needed to complete the needs for today's hook offerings are:

1) a stronger and deeper throat off set hook in all sizes...

2) a longer, stronger and deeper throat offset hook design for the larger profile worms and flipping baits.

I'm familiar with all of the most popular manufacturers and IMO they haven't got there as of yet! I have requested these designs from several of them and waiting on someone to Git r Dun They will in time... they have too... because I'm pretty sure that I am RIGHT on this thought... Maybe I should start designing hooks too

[J Francho]

I hear you loud and clear, Big-O - I share the same theory. Some of the swimbait hooks work, but can be a little bulky or simply don't come without a belly weight. Owner Riggin' Hook comes close, but it's got a weird, compactness to it that doesn't work with anything bigger than a tube (which it was designed for).

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

90% 3/0, 4/0, 5/0 or 6/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks. Gamakatsu, Owner, Trokar, Moaner (Mustad)

10% 5/0 Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend

X2

[Big-O]

In case we don't know it... Here at BR, we have a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience in so many facets of the fishing industry and there are many manufacturers that scour these topics, not only for what they can copy or knockoff of someone else's popular product but also to find the next BIG thing or idea!!! Too many times, one of our members may feel that his or hers thoughts on something is insignificant, but I believe that this terrific Forum is the perfect breeding ground for innovation and we should see it as EXACTLY THAT

OH... Sorry Clayton for getting a little off topic

[MarkH024]

This is a great topic and why I love these forums. It's the smaller things, that get discussed and you get to see how everyone else factors in their choices. I personally use EWG 90% of the time, and offset 10% just like some of the others, however I never really put a LOT of thought into it. I'll be interested in seeing some more responses. The other great thing is people like Big-O, who have a plethora of knowledge in the industry just openly speaking about these topics daily. I too am curious on "who" is watching these forums and taking in all this free feedback. Even just reading all the tackle making topics from the average joe, I am really inspired to start doing my own stuff. Some of the work done here is incredible.

[11justin22]

I use offset 90 percent of the time. The only reason is because of the hookup ratio. I did a test one time at a creek that is full of little brownies, I mean like u catch one every cast. I use a ewg and offset of the same brand and size. The hookup ratio was far better with the offset. I don't think they hold fish quit as well as ewg but well enough. BUT one thing U can do to ewg hooks is take and bend the point out slightly, this takes the point out of alignment with the eye. I tested this also and it brings the hookup ratio up to about the same as offset. Vmc has recently released some of their hooks that has a 3 degree offset built in so u don't have to bend it.

[Dave P]

90% 3/0, 4/0, 5/0 or 6/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks. Gamakatsu, Owner, Trokar, Moaner (Mustad)

X3

[fishking247]

i like offset when i want to bury the hook in the bait and not have any part of the point exposed. i use ewg's when "texposing"

[mikey5string]

You mean EWG vs standard gap? I use EWG offset worm hooks mostly. For worms I might use a standard gap but I change plastics often and I don't wantto have to retye. EWG works for both.

[TNBassin']

Are there any good, strong light wire hooks out there? And I mean LIGHT WIRE.

[roadwarrior]

Gamakatsu light wire hooks are what I use for weightless soft plastics.

[clayton86]

Gamakatsu light wire hooks are what I use for weightless soft plastics.

I use Gamakatsu skip gaps(4/0) or G-locks(3/0) for all my weightless plastics which consists of flukes only pretty much

[smbrule]

I much prefer a straight shanked worm hook, although I prefer the straight shanked hook without an offset. When fishing heavy cover with a straight shanked hook I bend down the barbs and then tie on a loop of wire to the hook in order to keep the plastic from sliding down. Much more effective than the tiny barbs. Also better than a straight shanked hook with an offset in preventing the plastic from sliding down on the hook

When Trokar and Gamakatsua came out with their flippin heavy cover straight shanked worm hooks because of their very large gape I have almost stopped using EWG hooks.

I went to heavy cover straight shanked worm hooks when fishing 4-5" tubes and just barely skin hook the the point inside the tube as they are much more "weedless) when fishing heavy cover pads or reeds.

[clayton86]

I much prefer a straight shanked worm hook, although I prefer the straight shanked hook without an offset. When fishing heavy cover with a straight shanked hook I bend down the barbs and then tie on a loop of wire to the hook in order to keep the plastic from sliding down. Much more effective than the tiny barbs. Also better than a straight shanked hook with an offset in preventing the plastic from sliding down on the hook

When Trokar and Gamakatsua came out with their flippin heavy cover straight shanked worm hooks because of their very large gape I have almost stopped using EWG hooks.

I went to heavy cover straight shanked worm hooks when fishing 4-5" tubes and just barely skin hook the the point inside the tube as they are much more "weedless) when fishing heavy cover pads or reeds.

I have a few packs of the gammy heavy cover flipping hooks but don't ever use them they always seemed to get hung up on everything and never stay texposed or skin hooked even when i just left it in the plastic with out coming out id miss fish then get snagged so I rarely use them now.

[smbrule]

I have a few packs of the gammy heavy cover flipping hooks but don't ever use them they always seemed to get hung up on everything and never stay texposed or skin hooked even when i just left it in the plastic with out coming out id miss fish then get snagged so I rarely use them now.

I never texpose or skin hook straight shanked hooks, just EWG.

[matstone7]

It's my opinion that the more hook riding under the bait, the more chance a hook turns to the side during a bite decreasing your chances of a hook up.

While this may or not be a problem with all hooks the difference lies with the points angle in relation to the hook eye. Other factors to consider are bait size / thickness when deciding between the many hooks on the market.

Hooks with a point in-line with the eye (easy weedless rigging) will miss more fish because the fish clamps on a flat and you need to pull a hook into meat. This is often a problem with a typical weedless rigging or skin hooking. Just picture it, the fish clamps down on a flat, the hook rolls to a side and you still need to pull to set that hook.

Take that same hook and bend the point up a little or use a straight shank or other style flippin hook that has a point pointing upward needs the slightest pressure begins penetrating into meat almost setting itself. These hooks are far more difficult to rig for weedless presentations but, really don't miss fish. Picture this, as a fish clamps down on this style hook, regardless if the hook begins to roll to a side, the point is already made contact and begun to penetrate. The trick to rigging this style hook is to never bring the hook point completely through the bait.... stop that point just below the exit point.

As for offsets a few degrees to one side or the other on an EWG... Same rolling effect still comes into effect. If that hook rolls towards the point, you're golden, if it rolls the other way, it's almost complete miss cause now the point isn't even close to meat till the bait is exiting the mouth.

Hopefully this makes sense to someone..

[smbrule]

In some ways I feel that we were forced into EWG hooks as the straight shanked style of worm hooks did not have sufficient gape to insure that enough of the hook point would get thru the soft plastic for a hook-up. Especially true for six and seven inch senko type baits and for tubes.

As pointed out by others an increased hook set will result from a non EWG hook. When I was fishing EWG hooks and missing fish I always was confident that a jig would result in a sure hookset.

I do wish manufactures would produce a straight shanked hook with a wider gape, yet not have an increased shank length and was not a heavy wire hook like the Gammy/Trokar heavy flippin hooks.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

I use Gammy G-Locks and EWG hooks with zero problems.

[CWB]

I use Gammy G-Locks and EWG hooks with zero problems.

X2. I do bend the point end up slightly on the G-Locks though. I remember Big-O lecturing us at KY Lake a couple years ago about this very topic. Ever since then, I've been conscious of checking the alignment of the point to the eye. The G-Locks are pretty darn close to in line so I bend the point up slightly and have had no problems. 'Course I set the hook so hard I've yanked 3 pounders out of the water.

[11justin22]

It's my opinion that the more hook riding under the bait, the more chance a hook turns to the side during a bite decreasing your chances of a hook up.

While this may or not be a problem with all hooks the difference lies with the points angle in relation to the hook eye. Other factors to consider are bait size / thickness when deciding between the many hooks on the market.

Hooks with a point in-line with the eye (easy weedless rigging) will miss more fish because the fish clamps on a flat and you need to pull a hook into meat. This is often a problem with a typical weedless rigging or skin hooking. Just picture it, the fish clamps down on a flat, the hook rolls to a side and you still need to pull to set that hook.

Take that same hook and bend the point up a little or use a straight shank or other style flippin hook that has a point pointing upward needs the slightest pressure begins penetrating into meat almost setting itself. These hooks are far more difficult to rig for weedless presentations but, really don't miss fish. Picture this, as a fish clamps down on this style hook, regardless if the hook begins to roll to a side, the point is already made contact and begun to penetrate. The trick to rigging this style hook is to never bring the hook point completely through the bait.... stop that point just below the exit point.

As for offsets a few degrees to one side or the other on an EWG... Same rolling effect still comes into effect. If that hook rolls towards the point, you're golden, if it rolls the other way, it's almost complete miss cause now the point isn't even close to meat till the bait is exiting the mouth.

Hopefully this makes sense to someone..

A fish mouth is more or less a oval that is enclosed one end, meaning even if a hook did roll it is still going to catch something. Same goes for bending the hook point out or up. Doesn't matter which way the hook rolls it will still catch something. Seems to me that u are only wanting to hook a fish in the roof of the mouth?

[matstone7]

No Justin, just want to hook more fish.

[11justin22]

No Justin, just want to hook more fish.

Fair enough

[tyrius.]

Offset hooks are going to give you a better hook up percentage. It's simple mechanics really.

If you want to test it out yourself then tie an EWG and an offset hook to a piece of line. Put the hook in your hand and close your fingers around the line. Then slowly pull the hook from your hand. An offset will always have the point out ready to grab you. The EWG can pull from your hand without the point ever touching you. If you pull the line straight away from your hand then the hook comes right out without the point engaging. An EWG hook requires there to be an angle (the greater the angle the better) between the fish's mouth and your rod tip. If it's in line then you're not going to hook the fish.

Bending the EWG hooks so that the point is not in line with the eye goes a long way, but one should use an offset hook wherever possible.