Zoff Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 Guys... need some... I guess... alternatives... to the drop shot hook. I have been using Gamakatsu splitshot/dropshot hooks. I have been getting really great bites. Awesome bites... violent even. Problem... can't get a solid hookup. In the past two days I have lost as many hawgs. I get the little 2 and 3 pounders all the time. Yesterday... about a 12 pounder. This bugger was a serious pig. Hard strike... bent rod.... set the hook... fight and off. Today... about a 7 pounder with the same scenario. They throw it like it never dug in. I have been having this happen all last summer as well. Tried the lift, soft set and tried the hard set. Same problem. I got a 5 pounder in today and, when unhooking him, I noticed the hook was very hard to remove but was barely sunk. Not even to the barb. Hooks are new and sharp. It was like it was clipped onto the upper jawbone. Like the hook was too small but I was using 1/0 which is usually enough. Is there a better hook? Alternative hook? Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 Those are the only hooks I use and I've never had an issue with them. Aaron Martens takes the same hooks and bends them out just slightly and says he has better hook ups than he's ever had. Maybe try that. 1 Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 I was going to make the same suggestion as iabass8. Here's the vid with his description on that tweak. Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 I also use the VMC spinshot. I have had awesome hooksets with that thing. 1 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 i want to know where in VA you are catching 12 & 7lb bass..... Quote
georgeyew Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 i want to know where in VA you are catching 12 & 7lb bass..... Me too... As for the hook, Trokar hooks are "really" sharp. Quote
Zoff Posted January 21, 2013 Author Posted January 21, 2013 The 12 pounder was in my pond and the 7 was in a private pond at Master's Inn... a Christian retreat near me. The Master's Inn is not fished heavily except for bluegill by the kids. Quote
Zoff Posted January 21, 2013 Author Posted January 21, 2013 For the record... I know the weight of the one in my pond as I have caught it before. The other was an estimate but was quite large. Quote
TrapperJ Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 I recently tried my first run at drop shot and went with the VMC spin shot, got my first bass on it the other day seemed to work great! Its so different cause i am used to using such a BIG hook and this dinky 1/0 hook with the worm nose hooked. I'm like awwwww geeze i just know there gonna bit the tail and rip it off, but its something to do with they attack the head of the creature, and i hooked up with my first drop shot bass just fine. It worked when nothing else was working for me that day. Quote
Comfortably Numb Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 i want to know where in VA you are catching 12 & 7lb bass..... I was gonna say the same thing LOL. I just started drop shotting this winter for the first time. The fish are 30' down. I started with straight 6# flouro and could not feel much. I swithed to 15# braid with the same 6# flouro 3' leader and feel the bites better. I am only catching 2-3# fish but have not lost one yet with these standout hooks. I use the #1 hooks. I just lift and reel. Those bigger fish have much tougherbonier mouths though http://www.ebay.com/itm/260865841394?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Just realized are Ebay links allowed??? Quote
Super User eyedabassman Posted January 22, 2013 Super User Posted January 22, 2013 I also use the VMC spinshot. I have had awesome hooksets with that thing. My vote is for the VMC spinshot also. Very sharp and not many fish get off. 1 Quote
detroit1 Posted January 22, 2013 Posted January 22, 2013 I don't want my d/s bait spinning around so i stay away from those spinshot type hooks. I don't like the standouts either. Too much "hardware" near my little bait. Quote
OK Bass Hunter Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Owner Mosquito Hook in size 1 and 1/0. Quote
Zoff Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 ah man, i wish i had a 12 lb pet. lol... Wish i could catch it again but is getting shy. Harder and harder to hook. Have to be stealthy and sly... throw stuff its never seen before. lol Quote
Super User Nitrofreak Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 He has them in a pond and in his fish tanks at home lol, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE !! Although they are not 12 lbers like in his pond they are still cool to see in a tank. Out of curiosity, are you letting the fish get the bait all the way in it's mouth? in other words a pause before you try to set the hook. Another thing may be your rod, I know you like HD stuff like I do, are you using a soft or slow enough tip? Quote
Zoff Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 He has them in a pond and in his fish tanks at home lol, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE !! Although they are not 12 lbers like in his pond they are still cool to see in a tank. Here's a bad pic of the tank.. (3 of the 4 bass and the bluegill... actually you can see the tail of the 4th on the left.) Out of curiosity, are you letting the fish get the bait all the way in it's mouth? in other words a pause before you try to set the hook. Another thing may be your rod, I know you like HD stuff like I do, are you using a soft or slow enough tip? I am letting the fish have time to "walk" about 5 or 10 feet with it. My setup... until Saturday... is a 6'6" Berkley in Medium Fast and a Mitchell Avocet with 10lb line. Saturday it will be upgraded to a 7'6' in Medium Light or so. No Kiddin'!!! lol 1 Quote
Super User Nitrofreak Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 HEY !! It looks like they have grown a little in their new tank !! I think that new rod you will find to be much better for the drop shot for sure....NO KIDDIN !!! LOL !!! PS: Make sure the tip comes straight up when you are setting your hook too. Quote
Zoff Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 Yeah they have grown. Rod tip straight? As in toward the fish? Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 Walking 5-10 feet might be letting them have it too long. Also just got a chance to try the new Gamkatsu Swivel shot g-finesse hooks. I like them alot! http://www.gamakatsu.com/fishing-hooks.php?pid=1233 Jeff Quote
Super User Nitrofreak Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 Yeah they have grown. Rod tip straight? As in toward the fish? Yes and lift straight up on the rod, also check out the hooks 00 posted they are great drop shot hooks !!! Quote
Super User Nitrofreak Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 May want to refresh your memory and watch Glenn it's perfect. See if that helps buddy. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 The drop shot hook that works best for me so far is the Gamakatsu wicked wacky hook, with the little tube glued to the hook shank. Threading the line through that little tube always keeps the hook aligned right. I've got all the sizes that they offer, 1/0 through 5/0 but I seem to use the 2/0 the most. 1 Quote
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