Hook Size?

[G8RBob]

What size hooks do you use and recommend?  I am thinking of texas rigs and weightless worming.  I have always tended to use either 4.0 or 5.0 hooks, either EWG or offset worm hooks.  Thanks,

 

Bob

[JaxBasser]

Depends on the bait. With smaller thinner plastics (7" or under worms, small craws, small creature baits, lizards, etc..) I like a 3/0 offset. With the bigger thicker baits I'll bump it up to a 4/0 or an occasional 5/0 ewg.

I like to use an offset whenever I can though. Definitely seems like I get a better hookup percentage with those.

[geo g]

Like Jaxbasser said it depends on the size and thickness of the bait.  I do like thin wire Gama hooks better then heavy duty.  The thin ones stick um much better.  Exception is when fishing real heavy cover.  In Florida I use #4 EWG hooks most of the time.  I do not flip allot or I would use a different set up.

[MainelyBASS]

Another important factor to keep in mind is the size line you are using. If you like using 6 or 8lb line you'd have to stay away from heavy wire hooks as the hook will be too strong for the line and break even the strongest knots with ease. Most hook manufacturers sell both styles of hooks now a days, just be sure your line size is appropriate for the hook your going to buy.

[JaxBasser]

Yep, those thin wire hooks also penetrate better when you're using light line and can't lay into a hookset like you can with a beefier setup.

[BassinLou]

My range depends on the size of the bait. So I will throw anywhere from 2/0 - 5/0.

[mjseverson24]

I personally use either an EWG in 3/0 - 6/0 depending on the size of the bait, and for super heavy cover i use a 4/0 EWG or straight shank... I honestly try and use an ewg as often as i can, the baits lay on the hook better in my opinion, and I have never had any issues with hook up percentage with them...

 

Mitch

[daiwaguy]

Go to the Videos tab and watch a video by Glenn. I believe it is called choosing the right hook size or something and it is very informative.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

My range depends on the size of the bait. So I will throw anywhere from 2/0 - 5/0.

I do this. Also depending on what im doing light line light wire hook , heavy line heavy wire. Learned this the hard way when i was younger. Didnt know why i was snapping off on the hook set .

[fish365]

I personally use either an EWG in 3/0 - 6/0 depending on the size of the bait, and for super heavy cover i use a 4/0 EWG or straight shank... I honestly try and use an ewg as often as i can, the baits lay on the hook better in my opinion, and I have never had any issues with hook up percentage with them...

 

Mitch

+1. I prefer EWG's myself. Had way to many inhale regular worm hook deep.

[Stingray23]

I think a lot of people these days use too big of a hook. The bigger hook impedes the action of the bait. For example, I like to use a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook on a 5" Zoom super fluke. I've seen guys on here say they use 4/0 and even 5/0 hook on the same size bait. Thats crazy. The bait needs some room in the tail end to move and wiggle. I also prefer the thin wire hook for 99% of my plastics. I'll only go to a heavier gauge hook when casting or flipping/pitching into heavy cover.

[geo g]

In Florida in these shallow weedy grass filled lakes I use at least 15lb test. Floro allot, or Trilene Big Game. I only have 65 lb. braid on my flipping set up. I have found you have less problems with the heavy braid digging in, then the lighter stuff. Any lighter then 15 lbs. and your going to lose a bunch of quality big fish with all our weeds. You have to get their head up real fast.

[Alpha Male]

I think a lot of people these days use too big of a hook. The bigger hook impedes the action of the bait. For example, I like to use a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook on a 5" Zoom super fluke. I've seen guys on here say they use 4/0 and even 5/0 hook on the same size bait. Thats crazy. The bait needs some room in the tail end to move and wiggle. I also prefer the thin wire hook for 99% of my plastics. I'll only go to a heavier gauge hook when casting or flipping/pitching into heavy cover.

 

I like to use mostly 3/0 or 4/0 for most weighted T-rigs. I do have 1/0 thru 5/0 hooks on both EWG and offset hooks. and 3/0 thru 5/0 weighted owner twistlocks. every bait has a hook that it works best on. if youre going to go weightless I would use 1/0 thru 3/0 light wire hooks.

[SENKOSAM]

For me, I sometimes wonder if there is any disadvantage using a wide gap on a thinner diameter worm.

 

I've used up to an 8/0 swimbait hook on the 11.5" worms or large swimbaits I pour, but wonder if a smaller hook, say 5/0, would work as well. It has been said that bass take the whole lure into its mouth and as long as the worm doesn't ball up, a proper hook gap will usually allow a good hook set.

 

I've been using Lazar Tokar type hooks (nose coil screw-in) with mixed results rather than offset hooks on smaller plastics. The gap is good, the worm stays on longer not coming into contact with the bullet weight and has proven itself as a good punch rig when using large soft plastics.

 

Lure diameter will always matter to me more than bait length. Straight shank hooks may have their uses but wide gap and offset hooks are 99% of what I use. Too bad, since I own hundreds of Tru Turn hooks.