Gammy EWG hooks: Hookup problems

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Straight shank round bend hooks; problem solved

Assuming you're setting hook properly!

I wonder why people won't listen to us about the straight shank Owner hooks Catt. Could be a good thing, more wins for us.

Kelley

I've started using them more and more myself. The Owner WG straight shanks are a mean hook.

[iceintheveins]

All I use are Gammy EWG and if a bass takes the bait I don't miss too often, and they don't come lose very often either. I should try the Owners though, because sometimes the Gammy's point rolls over.

[Catt]

Straight Shank or Round Bend Offset or Extra Wide Gap?

Wide gap hooks have the hook point directly in line with the eye of the hook or slightly above the line eye on extra wide gap hooks. When you set the hook, the sinker and the front of the lure clear a path for the hook point to escape a bass's mouth without embedding. On straight shank hooks the point rides substantially above the eye of the hook and aims for the roof of the bass's mouth, resulting in a more hook-ups. The extra wide gap hooks do an excellent job of holding fish if you manage to get the hook through the bass's mouth on the hook set. There are plenty of times when a bass completely takes the bait and even on a short pitch with braided line, the hook flies cleanly out of the bass's mouth on the hook set. Missing an extra fish every once in a while doesn't sound like a big deal, but if that fish is the Lunker of a lifetime, losing it is a huge deal.

[smbrule]

On most soft plastics I normally use VMC or Gammie EWG hooks. I seldom have a problem with hook-ups. I do believe that straight shank hooks provide a more surer hook-up. For example the hook on my bass jigs are not EWG and hookups are rarely a problem. Certainly fewer problems compared to EWG hooks.

I use Owner straight shank wide gap hooks or Reaction Innovations BMF hooks when fishing in heavy cover. I prefer not to use EWG hooks unless they are texposed but when fishing in heavy reed cover often the hook point becomes exposed= snag.

Pic is a Wave Worm Ticki Bamboo stick which is quite thick. The Owner 4/0 hook has been bent to further provide a wider gape. Also I've weighted the hook and added a barb using heat shrink.

Tooth pick is shown but usually don't use one as the added barb helps.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Great picture right there.  I've been using the heat shrink barb on straight shanks as well.  Much easier to deal with than the toothpick.  They hold up surprisingly well also.  You just need to make sure that you don't pull the barb too far out after you heat it, otherwise you're asking to get caught up in weeds.

[bweave09]

Thanks for the pictures! That one looks pretty straight, but it seems to me that it would be difficult to rig them straight consistently. Have you noticed the bait spiraling more than it does with an EWG hook?

[Siebert Outdoors]

Check the point of the hook.  I bet its rolling over on you.  I like gammies but their point rolls easier then a xpoint or owner.

[midnighthrasher]

Are these the ones everyone is referring to???

http://www.***.com/Owner_Straight_Shank_Wide_Gap_3X_Flippin_Hook/descpage-OSHWG.html

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Are these the ones everyone is referring to???

http://www.***.com/Owner_Straight_Shank_Wide_Gap_3X_Flippin_Hook/descpage-OSHWG.html

Yup.

[midnighthrasher]

Are these the ones everyone is referring to???

http://www.***.com/Owner_Straight_Shank_Wide_Gap_3X_Flippin_Hook/descpage-OSHWG.html

Yup.

Cool... just ordered from TW in 3/0 and 4/0

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Good hooks. I like them a lot better than the Gamakatsu straight shanks.  They've got a larger bite on the hook.  The local stores that I've been in carry the 3/0, 4/0, and 5/0. Which is pretty much all I use. The Owner website says they come in 1/0 and 2/0 as well if you need a smaller size.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Thanks for the pictures! That one looks pretty straight, but it seems to me that it would be difficult to rig them straight consistently. Have you noticed the bait spiraling more than it does with an EWG hook?

I've never had a problem with lures spiraling on them.  Alot of the plastics I use have either a slot for the hook to line up, or a seam you can follow like on the GYCB plastics.  Takes an extra second or two to line it up.

[Sweetwater]

I use gammy ewg red hooks for weightless trickworming and have for years. I don't have hook up issues, but I bet I'm more patient with my hookset and I don't do the "Ric Flair off the top rope" hookset. Reel down, and a nice sharp snap up of the rod tip. Works every time.

And, I believe the EWG is more of a benefit keeping the fish buttoned after hookset.

[smbrule]

Thanks for the pictures! That one looks pretty straight, but it seems to me that it would be difficult to rig them straight consistently. Have you noticed the bait spiraling more than it does with an EWG hook?

Have not had a problem with the bait rolling even when using an unweighted hook.

Note: Below is pic of some sraight shank hooks modified to increase gape.

[Catt]

Mustad Straight Shank Denny Brauer Flipping Hook P/N:32807BLNU32 

[tyrius.]

If you think about the various types of hooks and their ability to "engage" in the fish's mouth it quickly becomes apparent that the inline (point and hook eye) style hooks have a distinct disadvantage.  With the point in line with the eye a straight hook set will pull the hook from the fish's mount without the point touching anything.  This happens the most when the hookset is "in line" with the fish's mouth.

You can experiment with this buy closing your hand on a EWG hook and slowly pulling the hook straight out.  Since the point is in line with the eye you won't get hooked. 

Now, if you set the hook from above the fish or from the side (at an angle to it's mouth) the hook point will engage. 

I would also guess that the hookup problems are more pronounced in the smaller hook sizes because there isn't as much of a gap between the bend in the hook and the hook point.  This provides for less space for the hook to slide over and the hook point to penetrate.

It's difficult to explain but if you look at the hook and mess around with it in your hands you'll see what I'm trying (and failing) to say here.

[smbrule]

If you think about the various types of hooks and their ability to "engage" in the fish's mouth it quickly becomes apparent that the inline (point and hook eye) style hooks have a distinct disadvantage. With the point in line with the eye a straight hook set will pull the hook from the fish's mount without the point touching anything. This happens the most when the hookset is "in line" with the fish's mouth.

From my experience I could not agree more. When using EWG hooks like the Gammie and VMC I seldom use any size less than 4/0.

Although I started using straight shank hooks sixty years ago I went to EWG hooks as baits became larger and bulkier. Have gone back to straight shank hooks with the option of a wider gape straight shank hooks that are now available or as in the past--I bend out Gammie or Owner straight shank hooks. Especially the Owner straight shank wide gap hook.

Also bend out Gammie staight shank worms hooks when I want a lighter hooks for smaller baits. For example the Net Bait Paca Craw.

[Catt]

Straight Shank or Round Bend Offset or Extra Wide Gap?

Wide gap hooks have the hook point directly in line with the eye of the hook or slightly above the line eye on extra wide gap hooks. When you set the hook, the sinker and the front of the lure clear a path for the hook point to escape a bass's mouth without embedding. On straight shank hooks the point rides substantially above the eye of the hook and aims for the roof of the bass's mouth, resulting in a more hook-ups. The extra wide gap hooks do an excellent job of holding fish if you manage to get the hook through the bass's mouth on the hook set. There are plenty of times when a bass completely takes the bait and even on a short pitch with braided line, the hook flies cleanly out of the bass's mouth on the hook set. Missing an extra fish every once in a while doesn't sound like a big deal, but if that fish is the Lunker of a lifetime, losing it is a huge deal.

It's simple geometry guys 

[NBR]

I seldom use any hook other than Gammy ewg on soft plastics and haven't had any problems.The lakes I fish are pretty much weed free so I only tuck the barb under the skin if I find that rare tree in the water.

[Dave D]

I fish 10" worms a lot and have traditionally always used 5/0 Gammy EWG's but got the bug to order some 7/0 monsters and boy are they giant! I can't wait to test these babies out.

[brushhoggin]

the z neck owners are really nice, worm doesnt slip.

[90x]

i love gammy hooks. they basically hook themselves for me. Try texposing them.

I dont mean to offend you, but maybe you are mistaking bites for pieces of cover.

[fmoore]

i love gammy hooks. they basically hook themselves for me. Try texposing them.

I dont mean to offend you, but maybe you are mistaking bites for pieces of cover.

No offence taken. I've since opened the gaps of the hooks and I'm having no problem with hookups  now!