Why wide gap?

[Mike L]

HiYa

Quick question if I may...

When and why do you guy's and gals use a wide gap hook over a straight shank offset one for soft plastics?

And if you do what size's do you use?

Thanks

Mike

[bilgerat]

A wide gap hook gives more space between the shank of the hook and the body of the bait, allowing room for the bait to "give" when the fish takes it. In a nutshell, much better hookup ratio.

Straight shanks are fine for skinny baits such as worms.

[OHIO]

I use wide gap hooks everytime I fish because I think it's easier to keep the plastics on the hook if you have EWG and it seems easier to set the hook. The only time I may not use one is if I am using a Powerbait Wacky Crawler or similar baits.

[Raul]

When you set the hook the bait slides from the eye into the gap, the point exits the bait by sliding from the hook point into the gap, the bait balls up, the gap gets choked with the plastic and since it 's an obstruction the hook can 't penetratre well the tissue ---> poor hookset, that 's why wide gap hooks are better. The balling up is worse with chunkier baits.

I do use offset shank, wide gap offset shank and the only only baits I use them for are worms.

EWG hooks take things to a higher level the gap is much wider so when the bait balls up it 's got plenty of space where to do it and doesn 't interfere with the hook setting properties.

I use 1/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0 and 6/0, however 3/0 is the one I have the most, in practical terms it 's the most versatile size, not too big, not too small, the other sizes are just for certain baits so I don 't have many of them ( a couple of packs of each ).

[Wayne P.]

EWG hooks have two anti-fish landing qualities.

1. The length of the wire that makes up the hook gives the hook more flexibiltiy. A flexible hook shank will lessen penetration.

2. The hook point is postioned towards the hook eye and missed hooksets occur unless the bend is opened up some to expose the point more.

A somewhat solution for that style of hook is the heavy wire models like the Superline EWG and open the hook bend some so the point is parallel to the eye offset.

[River Rat316]

I agree with Wayne, my hook up ratio is not near as good with a wg or ewg hook, I think all of it has to do with the relation of the hook point to the line tie. The only time I use ewg's now is when I am fishing a big bulky bait, otherwise it is a straight shank hook for almost everything else

[bilgerat]

Good point. I "accidently" figured that out when I started t rigging tubes with EWG hooks. I had to bend the point up slightly to make it run parallel to the tube to keep the tube from kinking. I never thought about improved hooksets and I rarely miss with that setup.

[B-Dozer]

Good point. I "accidently" figured that out when I started t rigging tubes with EWG hooks. I had to bend the point up slightly to make it run parallel to the tube to keep the tube from kinking. I never thought about improved hooksets and I rarely miss with that setup.

Good point! Ha Ha I like that!

[Mike L]

OK thanks,

I guess what you all are saying is that they are better than the straight shank but only to keep the bait from moving down, but hookup's are worse unless we bend the point up.

Thanks for all the reply's

Mike

 

[Wayne P.]

Mike, wrong conclusion. The wide gap allows for the plastic baits to bulk up on the hook shank without blocking the hook point. The thicker the bait is, the better application the wide gap is.

The offset shank at the hook eye is a popular trait for a lot of hook styles. That offset is to hold the head of the bait against the eye. It has nothing to do with the hook bend.

A straight shank hook has the best hooking ability since there is no part of the hook shank taking up hook bend space on a direct pull. 

[Mike L]

Got it, Thanks

Mike

[SirSnookalot]

I only fish flukes and went back to using a standard worm hook instead of a wide gap, seems to work better for me.

[oteymc]

I used to use the ewg all the time.  I have gone to a round bend with the off set shank and like it a lot, especially for worms.  You don't have to take the hook through the bait and then back in, you can just leave it in the bait and still get a good hook up.  Also easier to keep the bait straight on the hook.  This hook actually has a wider gap than the ewg.  JMHO.

[Mike L]

Thanks Fellas for the reponces

Mike

[NateFollmer]

If it isn't a worm or something close in diameter to a worm, I use EWG... Everything else I use straight offset shank. The sluggo is about the thickest bait I'll put on an offset straight.

[curls00]

So on a 5" senko-style bait -- EWG or offset straight-shank?

What about on a 7" senko-style bait?

And for creature baits?

Since I rarely (if ever) throw typical thin-bodied worms like a power worm... I'm trying to figure out if I'll ever get use out of an offset straight-shank hook.

[NateFollmer]

senkos I use a straight shank, for 5's and 7's...

Creatures, depends... If it's as thick or thicker than my index finger, I'll use EWG. I honestly think I hook up more with a straight shank than I do with an EWG.

[hookset on 3]

I use an "open gap" hook by Owner that really sticks 'em. In addition, it has a bait holding coil spring built around the hook eye to keep the soft plastic from sliding down the shank.

[NateFollmer]

I use an "open gap" hook by Owner that really sticks 'em. In addition, it has a bait holding coil spring built around the hook eye to keep the soft plastic from sliding down the shank.

That coil thing is pretty neat. I use a snell knot sometimes that also acts like a bait holder, but dang I hate tying them!