Trouble With Large Soft Plastics Especially Horny Toads

[Cobra Bass]

I really like to use big plastic baits like horny toads, z-hogs, grass pigs, etc but I've been having an awful time rigging this stuff up lately. I'm using some 4/0 "Heavy Duty Swimbait" hooks by VMC with a screw holder.  My problem is the plastics either tend to slide down the hook so the entire hook is exposed and gets caught on everything or it slides up the hook so the tip gets swallowed up inside the lure. I've tried tucking the tip of the hook inside but that just rips up my stuff like crazy. I'm very frustrated with this as I seem to be going through bags of plastics like crazy and I have to adjust it every cast. I am rigging these by going straight through the slit at the bottom and laying the hook on the top, sometimes tucking the tip in.

 

Is this a problem with my hook selection?

[The Next KVD]

I'm not a huge fan of screwlock hooks except for hollowbelly swimbaits.  I can't ever recall having any issues using a 4/0 Gamakatsu Superline EWG and just rigging Horny Toads Texas style with the point skin hooked.  Granted your never going to totally eliminate the issue of plastics sliding down especially when you've already hooked a few fish with a single bait.  But that's why there is Mend-it soft plastic glue to glue everything back up good as new.

[Naterwedge]

For toads, which is my confidence top water bait, I use the zoom frog hooks (screw lock) in either 5/0 or 3/0.

Just have to make sure the nose is centered or it'll swim funny Hope this helps!

[Cobra Bass]

I'm not a huge fan of screwlock hooks except for hollowbelly swimbaits.  I can't ever recall having any issues using a 4/0 Gamakatsu Superline EWG and just rigging Horny Toads Texas style with the point skin hooked.  Granted your never going to totally eliminate the issue of plastics sliding down especially when you've already hooked a few fish with a single bait.  But that's why there is Mend-it soft plastic glue to glue everything back up good as new.

Do you think the screw lock could be causing this? It is strange that the zoom horny toad hooks have a screw lock if this is true. I have used the horny toad hooks and I don't remember the problem being as severe but it is confusing as the two hooks are almost identical.

[ClackerBuzz]

buy a bottle of Mend-it.  you can repair all ur plastics and fish them again. stuff is amazing

[CPBassFishing]

The bend of the hook is what is causing issues. I have those swimbait hooks and they are designed for maximum hook-ups on fat (height) swimbaits, so the point is not in line with the screwlock. I find a normal 5/0 EWG to be best for all buzz frogs.

[Cobra Bass]

The bend of the hook is what is causing issues. I have those swimbait hooks and they are designed for maximum hook-ups on fat (height) swimbaits, so the point is not in line with the screwlock. I find a normal 5/0 EWG to be best for all buzz frogs.

You're right. They eyelet of the hook is well below the hook point. Thanks for this!

[Wayne P.]

The best rigging is the Horny Toad hook and don't put the hook point through the body. Just put the hook bend between the legs and skin hook the point in the back of the toad. That way the toad is not captured in the hook bend when set. It just swings out of the way held on by the spring-no "sliding down" is involved.

[hookset on 3]

I've been using this Owner Twist-Lock hook that is XXX strong with a Needle Point.  This thing's a bad mama jamma!

 

You won't be rolling over the hook point on this one. Once you hook 'em, they're coming in the boat. 

 

 

 

 

 

[cdav111]

and ad some kind of keel style belly weight (small) so that it always runs right side up... fewer missed fish. 

[draggin]

i haven't tried it yet but does anyone think a treble hook would be enough weight to keep them swimming belly down and help with the sliding on the hook.

[dumfish]

Buy the mann's hard nose toads , they will solve your problem.