Hooks For Punching

[airborne_angler]

I've seen a lot of people using the straight shank hooks with the keeper barbs when using punch skirts

Is that really necessary? Would a offset flipping hook work just as good? Is there a benefit to using the straight shank hook?

[JellyMan]

I like Gamagatsu 4/0 EWG Superline hooks.

 

I've seen this as well so I would be interested to hear the responses here.

[The Next KVD]

I have tried the straight shank hooks and HATE THEM!  Even with the barbs, the plastic still likes to slide down on me.  I have not had any issues with the Superline EWGs from Gamakatsu for this tactic and have yet to lose a fish do to the hook not penetrating.

[airborne_angler]

I've got a punch rig set up with a really stout 3/0 Eagle Claw offset Flippin hook...wonder how that will work...guess ill have to fish it to find out.

[OK Bass Hunter]

Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Flipping Hook

[BassinB]

The straight shank hook is supposed to provide a better hook up % because the point of the hook is out in front of the eye. I use the vmc heavy cover flippin hook and love them. A lot of people say the ewg hook doesnt have as good a hookup % because the hook point is inline with the eye. Ive used both ewg and straight shank, never had an issue with either, besides the fact that the straight shank is a lot stronger hook.

[Teal]

Look up some Bub Tosh punching videos on youtube, he spends some time pitching his product, but he goes into good detail about what to do and why it works for him.

Ish Monroe also has some videos and articles about punching and flipping.

I use a straight shank with a snell knot.

[mnbassman23]

Look up some Bub Tosh punching videos on youtube, he spends some time pitching his product, but he goes into good detail about what to do and why it works for him.

Ish Monroe also has some videos and articles about punching and flipping.

I use a straight shank with a snell knot.

This. 

 

I know I sounds like a broken record advocating a straight shank hook with a snell knot, but it made a big difference for me.. 

[War Eagle 44]

This. 

 

I know I sounds like a broken record advocating a straight shank hook with a snell knot, but it made a big difference for me.. 

I know this set up has to work for other guys but I just can't get it to work for me. I've tried the BMF, Trokar, and Mustad Grip Pin Max flipping hooks WITH Bub's snell knot and still missed bite after bite. It has to be something I'm doing wrong, I just don't know what it is. Almost every fish would pull the plastic down the shank and ball it up in the bend so I couldn't get the barb in them. The baits I tried on these hooks ranged from D-Bombs to baby Paca Craws and it didn't seem to make much difference. The BMF was the best of that group for me but I still missed way to many. Again I want to emphasize I'm not saying these hooks are bad or that they don't work wonderfully for other people, just that I can't get them to work for me.

 

I do however catch a very high percentage of my bites while punching using the Owner Twistlock Flippin' Hook. I love this hook, it has really made flipping/punching much more fun for me. This is the only hook I use now for these techniques. I've also had fairly good luck with the EWG superline Gammies or the wide gap plus Owners but the hook I had the most luck with before the Twistlock was a regular ole offset shank round bend Gamakatsu. Usually went with a 5/0, it fit most of the different plastics I like to punch. 

[A-Rob]

I love my straight shank hooks on my flipping rod

 

If you are tired of your bait sliding down try the Owner Center Pin screw on locking flipping hooks. They are MEAN hooks.

 

I've also used Trokar, fine but expensive. I'm looking forward to trying the VMC flipping hooks out this year. But I cannot complain about the Owner hooks and will definitely continue to use them.

 

The advantage to a straight shank hook is increased hook up ratio b/c the eye and neck of the hook never gets in the way of the point and the line of drive is improved. I've noticed increased hook-up ratio in my flipping since switching.

 

I will snell my hook if it is a typical straight shank...if it is the Owner with the screw lock I use a san diego jam b/c of the eye orientation

[A-Rob]

I should add I usually use a 4/0 or 5/0 depending on the brand of the hook

4/0 Owners are usually good for your craws

5/0 Owners if you are flipping a brush hog or something bigger

[ww2farmer]

IMHO it is a necessity, unless you like having to constantly re-rig/position your baits. The big barb keepers on the modern straight shank flipping hooks keep them in position flip after flip. Once you do hook up, they tear the baits up more, but usually it worth it for the quality of fish you get punching the thick stuff.

[BradGuenette]

Trokar TK130, Game over!

[CPBassFishing]

Another vote for the owner twistlock flipping hooks

[gobig]

   The only way I would use a ewg hook for punching is if I had no other choice. A straight shank hook with a bait keeper is far superior. Personally I use the paycheck hooks which are made by Gamakatsu. I like the idea that I can put the bait keeper where I want it on the shank. I don't know that the brand matters as much as function. When I look at a flipping hook this is what I want, a welded eye, secure bait keeper, enough gap for the bait and the hook needs to be strong enough to tow your boat. I use a Snell knot because it perfectly compliments this system. It causes the hook to cam out for a better hook up ratio.

 

 

 

I know this set up has to work for other guys but I just can't get it to work for me. I've tried the BMF, Trokar, and Mustad Grip Pin Max flipping hooks WITH Bub's snell knot and still missed bite after bite. It has to be something I'm doing wrong, I just don't know what it is. Almost every fish would pull the plastic down the shank and ball it up in the bend so I couldn't get the barb in them. The baits I tried on these hooks ranged from D-Bombs to baby Paca Craws and it didn't seem to make much difference. The BMF was the best of that group for me but I still missed way to many. Again I want to emphasize I'm not saying these hooks are bad or that they don't work wonderfully for other people, just that I can't get them to work for me.

 

 

   There are several reasons for missing fish. The first thing I would look at is how you were tying your Snell knot. If it was backwards that would equal all kinds of frustration. I know this one from experience. The next thing would be the hook set itself. If you use a snap set you will miss a lot of fish. If you set the hook to the side you will miss a lot of fish. The hook set should be firm and in an upward direction. I reel down until the rod starts to load before I set the hook. I continue reeling through the hook set. This helps keep the fish moving the right direction. This should be smooth and fluid, not jerky. Other wise the shock from the weight will blow the fishes mouth open. An under powered rod will also cause missed fish. Especially larger fish. Generally when they hit a punch rig its with complete intent to kill and the bait will be in the crushers. If your rod is to wimpy you will have a hard time moving the bait enough for good hook penetration.

[War Eagle 44]

   The only way I would use a ewg hook for punching is if I had no other choice. A straight shank hook with a bait keeper is far superior. Personally I use the paycheck hooks which are made by Gamakatsu. I like the idea that I can put the bait keeper where I want it on the shank. I don't know that the brand matters as much as function. When I look at a flipping hook this is what I want, a welded eye, secure bait keeper, enough gap for the bait and the hook needs to be strong enough to tow your boat. I use a Snell knot because it perfectly compliments this system. It causes the hook to cam out for a better hook up ratio.

 

 

 

 

 

   There are several reasons for missing fish. The first thing I would look at is how you were tying your Snell knot. If it was backwards that would equal all kinds of frustration. I know this one from experience. The next thing would be the hook set itself. If you use a snap set you will miss a lot of fish. If you set the hook to the side you will miss a lot of fish. The hook set should be firm and in an upward direction. I reel down until the rod starts to load before I set the hook. I continue reeling through the hook set. This helps keep the fish moving the right direction. This should be smooth and fluid, not jerky. Other wise the shock from the weight will blow the fishes mouth open. An under powered rod will also cause missed fish. Especially larger fish. Generally when they hit a punch rig its with complete intent to kill and the bait will be in the crushers. If your rod is to wimpy you will have a hard time moving the bait enough for good hook penetration.

 

I've been over and over this in my mind and about the only thing I could come up with was my "hookset technique" as well. I'm positive my snell knot was correctly tied and I'm using the correct type of gear. Flipping/Punching is one of my favorite ways to fish so I spend a good amount of time (and money) on it. I've got three different flipping rods and I've tried using lots of different lines, copoly, fluoro, & braid. Line type didn't seem to make a difference for me while using the straight shank hooks either, missed fish using all of them. So in my mind it really all leads back to the way I'm setting the hook.

 

My main flip/punch combo is a Powell Max 7105 with a Citica 201E spooled with 65# PPS8S. For about the past year, give or take, the TwistLOCK flipping hook in 4/0 has been as much a part of the combo as the first three, usually the only variable is the weight. I normally use weights from 3/4 to 1-1/4, all tungsten of course. I did just recently pick up my first 2 oz but I haven't had a need to go that heavy yet. Using the above mentioned gear I've all but eliminated missing fish, and I haven't altered my hookset motion at all. 

 

I was thinking maybe my hookset was to "snappy" and I was doing exactly what you described, blowing their mouths open with the weight but now using all the same gear except for the hook I'm hooking them every time. So this was the only point putting a little doubt in my mind about exactly what was happening. Also one of my fishing buddies flips with an 8' XH Carrot Stix rod with braid and 1 oz weight using a Trokar Mag Worm B.A.R.B. EWG style hook and never seems to have any problems. This guy puts about 2 feet of slack in his line on the hookset and swings for the fence and always seems to hook up just fine so that also kinda throws me for a loop.

 

Anyway sorry to have gone on so long I just love talking flipping/punching.    

[Montanaro]

mustad denny brauer straight shank 4/0 with snell is amazing. bass get hooked in the meaty upper mouth almost every time and they dont straighten out. have to punch the hooks out so you lnow the bass wont shake off. No sense in using ewg as it was designed to make room for bulkier baits to slide out of way on hooksets...whic h isnt a problem with straight shanks.