Fishing Giant Worms

[Zach P]

Recently I've been fishing giant worms since it's that time of the year, whether it's flipping  to shallow cover or dragging it across the bottom in 25+ feet of water. I've caught a couple nice fish using this technique so far this year but have noticed my hook up ratio decline. My question is this: should I opt to use a straight shank hook for flipping to shallow cover, and when fishing deep use a larger 4/0 or 5/0 offset hook? I'm trying to figure out where the issue is in my technique. I know it's not my hookset or my equipment (other than possibly the hooks i'm choosing to use). I should also note that I've been primarily using a 5/0 Straight Shank hook.

[Raul]

Beefier baits need wider gap hooks. When a fish strikes and you set the hook the worm slides up balling up and choking the gap of the hook so it can´t penetrate with all that plastic.

[roadwarrior]

I like the Trokar 5/0 Offset Worm Hook, it might pierce steel!

 

 

 

 

[Zach P]

I like the Trokar 5/0 Offset Worm Hook, it might pierce steel!

 

 

 

 

 

Do you use it for both pitching/flipping and also for working offshore structure?

[roadwarrior]

I do, but I know a lot of guys want a true flipping hook for that technique.

 

http://lazertrokar.com/products/flippin

[Zach P]

I do, but I know a lot of guys want a true flipping hook for that technique.

 

http://lazertrokar.com/products/flippin

 Yeah that's what I use for flippin primarily. For you personally which style of offset trokar do you use? It seems out of their three designs there isn't a great difference. Do you prefer the magworm, ewg, or magworm barb ewg? I've had good success using the ewg with a number of soft plastics but haven't really worked them much with large worms up until now when I am thinking about making a change.

[Mccallister25]

Kent, are you using the 5/0 hook on something as big as an anaconda?

Iv had a pack for a while, and would love to catch a big 'un on one, but feel like I need a massive hook for that 10" worm.

[roadwarrior]

The Trokar 5/0 EWG is a massive hook, it looks like 8/0.

I also use the Moaner 6/0 with the Rage Tail Thumper,

Anaconda and Mann's 12" Jelly Worm.

[Bass_Fanatic]

I use a 7/0 Gammy EWG for 12" worms and a 6/0 Gammy EWG for 10" worms.  Give the fish a second to inhale the entire worm before you set the hook and you will have no problems.

[hoosierbass07]

 What size line are you all using when you use large worms and 5/0 hooks?  

[Catch and Grease]

I use a 6/0 eagle claw EWG hook for my zoom 12" ribbon tail worms and my Berkeley power worms

[WRB]

First you should define what a giant worm is.

I use Owner 5103, 5/0 straight shank hooks for worms up to 9" to 10"

Owner 5132 CPS 6/0 hook for fatter nose worms 10" to 16"

Can't see any reason to flip or pitch giant worms inti heavy cover, too long to work well, unless you are talking about brush or trees.

The 5132 eliminates issues with the worm filling the hook gap.

Tom

[F14A-B]

Yea I use the owner5103-151 it's a great hook

Also a owner 7/0 5110-171 great hooks, like Tom said the owner cps 5/0 6/0 those hooks will surprise you.

[papajoe222]

The issue may not be the hook or your technique.  It may possibly be the way the fish are taking the worm. Sometimes, as with swimbaits, the fish will hit the bait tail first and you either need to allow them to take the bait completely into their mouth, or do what many of us do and add a trailer.  Adding a trailer hook to a big worm is tricky as it can effect the action, foul on your line or in the worm.  Allowing the fish to take the bait completely into it's mouth has it's downside also and the worm can ball up and even a big hook has difficulty penetrating a ball of plastic.

My solution to missing fish on a big worm is to downsize or change colors. As with most baits, a change in color, size, or action can get you results.

[Bluebasser86]

First you should define what a giant worm is.

I use Owner 5103, 5/0 straight shank hooks for worms up to 9" to 10"

Owner 5132 CPS 6/0 hook for fatter nose worms 10" to 16"

Can't see any reason to flip or pitch giant worms inti heavy cover, too long to work well, unless you are talking about brush or trees.

The 5132 eliminates issues with the worm filling the hook gap.

Tom

How big is a giant worm is the same thing I was thinking. I've got some 17" hand poured C tail worms, I use an 11/0 Owner oversized worm hook. If it's a really thick worm you may need a hook with a little bigger gap though like an Owner Wide Gap Plus in a 6/0 or 7/0. 

[Zach P]

First you should define what a giant worm is.

I use Owner 5103, 5/0 straight shank hooks for worms up to 9" to 10"

Owner 5132 CPS 6/0 hook for fatter nose worms 10" to 16"

Can't see any reason to flip or pitch giant worms inti heavy cover, too long to work well, unless you are talking about brush or trees.

The 5132 eliminates issues with the worm filling the hook gap.

Tom

No I'm simply referring to fishing laydowns and bushes not hydrilla or matted veg.

[Fish Murderer 71]

I only use a 5/0 EWG on my 12" power worms.  Plenty of hooking space- the only problem I have is waiting that extra second for the fish to swallow up that big ole worm.  

[Primus]

How big is a giant worm is the same thing I was thinking. I've got some 17" hand poured C tail worms, I use an 11/0 Owner oversized worm hook. If it's a really thick worm you may need a hook with a little bigger gap though like an Owner Wide Gap Plus in a 6/0 or 7/0. 

 

That dude don't mess around ! I thought a 10" or 12" worm was big .

[edge199]

I would also look in 2 what line your using. As well as the hooks. I had that problem and found finding a less stretching line worked better for deeper water.