Hook Question; Worm Hooks ?

[Robertqq]

Hello,

Have a question regarding what type/style hook to use when rigging plastic worms.

No big deal, but just curious, and thought I'd ask you experts.  I'm certainly not.

I understand the offset style (of "worm hook") with the small bend right by the hook eye. 

Makes sense so that you can rotate the hook after embedding it in the front of the worm, and then bringing it out of the worm to

direct it backwards.  My fishing is mainly with small worms in a Pond; lots of smallmouth and largemouth.

But there appear to be (at least) two versions available.

For one, the shank goes absolutely straight back to the main hook curve.

In the other, there is a very wide circle/arc of the hook going backwards. Perhaps termed "wide gap" or "extra wide gap".

Which would one use, and when ?

 

Thanks,

Bob

[Catch and Grease]

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/hook-selection.html

 

there ya go!!

 

 

[travis23]

Small finesse worms, 4-6", I use a 1/0 Roboworm Rebarb hook or a 1/0 to 2/0 offset round bend worm hook by Owner.

[papajoe222]

Matching hook size to the thickness of the plastic is the most difficult part of fishing soft plastics as hook style is more of a personal preference. I'd give all three styles a try before making a decision.

Notice I said thickness and not size. You want enough gap left once the plastic is compressed against the hook's shank to grab during the hook set.

Keep in mind the rod and line you'll be using as the thicker the hooks wire, the stiffer the rod, or line needs to be to drive the hook point home.

[Jar11591]

90% of the time I'm using either a 3/0 or a 4/0 EWG hook for worms and any other plastics. I bump up to 5/0 for bigger worms and plastics.

[Jaderose]

90% of the time I'm using either a 3/0 or a 4/0 EWG hook for worms and any other plastics. I bump up to 5/0 for bigger worms and plastics.

 

 

 

Pretty much this^^

[benthinkin]

3/0 ewg for mostly everything no problems yet

[FishTank]

I use a 4/0 EWG or a 3/0 EWG for small stuff.

[rangerjockey]

Personally I stay away from EWG's as much as I can unless the thickness of the bait forces me to. For worms in general I like the Trokar straight shank light wire with the keeper. i believe it's tk180.

[EmersonFish]

Didn't click the link above, but there are articles around. For now know that the basic idea is:

Round Bend Offset Hooks for more slender, straight baits.

Extra Wide Gap hooks for bulkier baits.

And don't rule out the use of big Straight Shank Hooks for power flipping and pitching when you need to get fish out of junk fast. With these hooks it helps to find a way to keep the bait from sliding down all the time, like glue. Some hooks have a little barb or whatever they call it on the shank already for that purpose.

Your instincts will tell you a lot. Grab a bait. Hold a hook up next to it. Imagine it rigged up. Are you confident you'll have enough gap between the bait and the hook to get a good hookset? Will I be able to put the hook back in through the body of the bait in a durable spot? Will the hook's point rest on the bait where it is meant to if the bait has a recess built in to make it more weedless? Will the thickness of the hook itself damage the worm too much if it's more of a finesse type worm? There are a lot of things to consider and a lot of it is trial and error, personal preference, and other stuff you learn over time.

[F14A-B]

On a 4" worm, T- Rigged, alls you need is a 1/0 round bend offset, the offset bend aids in keeping you're plastic & hook pinned together..., longer than say a straight shank, I use both , I do not prefer the X- wide gap hooks, on most baits... Most especially a 4" worm....I am not saying you cannot use 2/0 or even a 3/0 but generally I stay with 1/0 ... There is almost no point in a extra wide gap hook on a 4" finesse T-rigged

[primetime]

I alway's have found that using the smallest hook possible gives the worm better action. With that said, I agree with all the above posts and I would think a 3/0 EWG hook would work for almost all worms but when in doubt the best way to check is making sure that when you compress the worm all the way down, there is plenty of "Hook" left for grabbing some Lip.

 

I am not sure the brands and styles of every hook in my terminal tackle box since that is my most important box as weights, Hooks, beads, rattles etc. are what I end up using the most since I almost always have a soft plastic rigged even if fishing a jig or spinnerbait as a trailer.

 

I have some EWG 1/0 hooks that fits most worms and the wire is light but as long as I don't set the hook super hard (Especially with braid) I have noticed I will get more strikes than someone using a 4/0 hook, and I have plenty of room left. I usually get my hooks from Bass Pro or Tackle Warehouse as I can compare and also read reviews as many guys will give specific examples of how the hook worked using certain baits. (I love Tackle Warehouse for this, the Reviews seem to come from experienced fisherman and they carry all the best stuff. I don't care about price when buying hooks, I buy only top quality and I also sharpen them often during the day.

 

When in doubt, I usually go with a Wide Gap to make sure I am Ok. Also, You Tube has some great videos that show exactly how to rig worms and no matter how often you fish, it is always good to review fundamentals.

 

Good question, this was a good read.