Are Ewg Hooks The Best Thing To Use?

[Senko lover]

I've heard quite a number of pros and weekend anglers say that they do not use Extra Wide Gap hooks due to a poor hookup ratio compared to other hooks. I use EWG hooks regularly, and I haven't really noticed that, but to be honest I haven't tried a whole lot of styles either. Do you think they don't have a good hookup ratio? Why? What alternatives do you use? 

[iabass8]

professional anglers are on the water probably on average 150 more days a year than most so their sample size is significant enough to warrant a reason to use X hook over X hook because they have noticed a difference in hook up ratio and that one fish is the difference in (to be blunt) eating or not. For anybody else not fishing for a living, the difference is incredibly small. I personally feel like i get a better hook up ratio /w straight shank hooks but they also tear up soft plastics faster than a hot knife. I do use EWG for bulky plastics in open water but i tend to have more straight shank hooks than any other hook. If i'm not in heavy cover, I personally don't really care which hook I have. My hook up ratios are fine /w both. If I'm in heavy wood or slop, I want a straight shank hook every time. 

[buzzed bait]

iabass is right on. I prefer a straight work hook myself but both will catch fish. And he's right about straight shanks tearing up the plastics a little more.

[everythingthatswims]

I use EWGs for 75% of my fishing, and all my hooks are offset shank (straight shanks look silly when you rig them IMO). I will use a "regular" gap on worms usually...But regardless of what hook it is, the hook set is way more important than the hook.

[Darren.]

For me, no, they are not. I normally use either 

round bend or, preferred, O'Shaughnessy bend 

hooks. I do have some EWG in various sizes, 

but they're not the first I look for when I'm rigging 

TX style.

[WRB]

The question isn't about EWG or extra wide gap hooks, it should about the off set bend worm EWG hooks.

We have had this discussion recently and suggest that you use the search tool.

There are no standards regarding hook size or gap to hook size, this makes it difficult to compare apples to apples.

The off set worm hook is easier to rig and keep the worm head from sliding down the shank during a bass strike compared to a straight shank hook. If you know how to rig a straight shank worm hook, the hook point makes contact with the basses mouth tissue easier, increasing strike to hook set ratio's, everything else being equal.

Tom

[Lund Explorer]

I increase my hook-up ratio with Offset or EWG hooks by "Tex-Posing" the bait.

[CWB]

I use the offset EWG hooks (texposed) for all plastics except when flipping. Then I use a straight shanh heavy hook with the plastic barb keeper. For me, straight shanh hooks are too high maintenance. Re- position bait every cast and the point tends to peek through and pick up trash. The onlt time I set the hook and miss I get half the worm back beacause it was a bluegill or rockbass. No problems with bass. I think the bass get pinned on better also at the corner of the EWG hook where the straight portion from the point back starts its bend.

[hoosierbass07]

I use EWG 99% of the time. I though I read or saw a video online saying the extra gap gave the bass more room to bite down and become hooked. Not so?

[smalljaw67]

There are a lot of variables when it comes to hooks, I like the Daiichi Offset worm hook in a wide gap, I'm using light wire hooks where I'm not in heavy cover with heavy line so those hooks are awesome! I also like the standard wire Gamakatsu offset worm hook in an extra wide gap when I'm using bulkier baits like beavers, craws or stick worms like the 5" Senko, it allows easy penetration and great holding ability. That said, if you use that hooks with 50# braid in heavy cover, well they aren't going to work for you, even 30# braid in heavy cover makes for a bad experience. When super lines became normal, the hooks were still being made the same and that is why you saw a lot of guys complain about hook flex, but now with straight shank flipping hooks and heavy wire offset worm hooks, that rarely happens as long as you use the right hook for the job. It works both ways too, using a Gamakatsu super line hook on a worm with 6# line isn't going to get you good results either.

[fish365]

I prefer the EWG hooks myself. Feel as if a regular worm hook deep hooks too many fish. I use straight shank tied with snell knot when the rare occasion comes up i fish hydrilla or grass.

[BasshunterJGH]

I prefer owner twistlock open gap hooks and straight shank worm hooks for most of my soft plastics. The only time I use EWGs are for bulky baits like tubes and swimbaits. 

[ec1]

I think this is a mix of different factors: Experience, Brand and Bait.

Experience - I find experience and time on the water is your number one determining factor to which hook to use. That said, straight shanks make up 80% of my texas rigging, no matter the cover. It just seems to give me the confidence I need to catch a few.

 

Brand - Certain brands of hooks seem to be better. For example, everytime I look at the Mustad EWG hook, I just want to throw them out because the hook point aligns the eye instead of being slightly further out than the eye. So far, Gamakatsu EWG superline has been my confidence hook for that. Owners do the job too, but I'm having a harder and harder time justifying the extra dollar it costs.

 

Bait - Once again this comes back to experience. Certain baits after you do well with them, don't bother switching. For example, a fat ika I've been having great success with a 2/0 or 3/0 Gammy EWG, and after trying others, it hasn't been the same. After going back to the original hook, I found I didn't lose much in terms of hooking ratio again. Make note of what works for you for certain baits, and stick to them. They worked in the first place for a reason. At the same time, what works for me, might not work all that well for you.

 

To sum it up: EWG's are great. There are situations where I like twistlocks and straight shanks better, but EWG's definitely have their time and place.

[geo g]

I use EWG Gama thin wire hooks 90% of the time. The thin wire seems to penetrate better then the thicker ones. I don't have problems with them bending unless I hook a Bowfin. Hook ups are not a problem.

[benthinkin]

also the sharp 90 degree bend on EWG hooks keeps fish in better IMO. If the hook starts to turn then that 90 will usually stop the hook from coming out.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Been fishing for a long time started out with straight shank hooks.dont use widegaps anymore .thought it was the next big thing.They hooked me but less fish

[SirSnookalot]

Whether it's rigging a live bait, cut bait or a plastic bait I try and match the hook to the size of the bait.  I only use EWG for frogs and some of the thicker plastics.  I normally use a standard off set worm hook, my primary plastic is a fluke.

[Mike L]

I've found that a skip back style hook, will hold a plastic much better than an off set hook.

Hook ups aren't a problem either.

The gap seems to me as nice compromise between a straight shank and a ewg.

But that's me

Mike

[mjseverson24]

I use EWG hooks for everything except punching... I like the way the bait lays on the EWG much better than on the straight shank hooks, and I have never had any issue with hookups using the EWG...

 

Mitch

[Bassun]

I hardly use strait shanks at all anymore.  The only time I do is if I've rigged a two hook worm like the old Red Cremes - then I will use a strait shank for the hooks.  And honestly, I cannot remember the last time I rigged one up (maybe I should try that with a senko...)

 

I prefer offset hooks for worms and EWG for anything chunky, including flukes.  If I'm fishing a live bait etc, then I shift to a circle hook exclusively now.  Once you stop setting the hook, its amazing how well they work.  I should probably try using a 1/0 or 2/0 for nosehooking on a dropshot and see how that works.

[J Francho]

It really depends on the bait, and the hook design.  I don't certain styles, especially the ones where the point of the hook and the eye are really close, and in line.  Owner Wide Gap Plus, and Rig'n hooks are what I use if I'm using a wide gap worm hook.

[Felix77]

I use EWG hooks for everything except punching... I like the way the bait lays on the EWG much better than on the straight shank hooks, and I have never had any issue with hookups using the EWG...

 

Mitch

 

x2

 

I use EWG's from 1/0 to 5/0 for everything except punching.  For that I prefer a flipping hook with the keeper.

[primetime]

EWG only if big bait and need the wide gap otherwise they pick up weeds and worms easily twist and hooksets are not always as solid imo...

 

I use EWG more for big swimbaits like hollow bellies in 5/0 and larger sizes, anything an offset or straight shank worm hook fits then I use smallest possible for situation.

 

I carry an insane amount of terminal tackle but light wire vs. heavy, ewg vs offset, silver vs. gold, 1/8 vs 3/16....Tournaments are often won with little changes like a nail weight to imitate a dying baitfish falling backwards etc...Terminal tackle is something I love to ask about, listen, and try, but for flipping, no EWG never....

[TrippyJai]

You can use the Gamakatsu EWGs for everything from drop shot to punching. Haven't lost any fish or had hook up issues.