Hook Sizes For Swimbaits

[Ersteman]

I have some Yum Money, some Keitech Fat, and Big Bite swimbaits and would like to use them and try them out this year. 

What size works for you guys when you throw 5" and 6" swimbaits?

The 3/0 seems too small for the 4.8 Keitechs, or maybe I rigged it wrong.  It just seems like there is not much room for the bait to slide down the hook shank to get the hook in the fish's mouth for the hookset.  

Please list your particular brand if it works and explain to me why it works. I like to know the reasons why and not just blindly do things.

If you could also explain the particulars on the rigging.  i.e. do you cut the bait with scissors?  Do you tex-spose the hook? 

Thanks.

[MainelyBASS]

That chart shows the hook sizes. I use the same size hooks, the only difference is I use the hooks with the screw lock and keel weight to keep them down in the water column.

[Ersteman]

Thanks.  You have no problems with hook sets? Do you cut the bait to help the bait slide down the hook?  Visually, it doesn't look like there's much room for the bait to move down the hook and to hook into the fish's mouth, but if it works, it works.

[WIGuide]

I use a few different swim baits, both the Big Bite Bait Cane Thumper and Yum Money Minnows.

Cane Thumper 5" - BPS 4/0 Vertical Drop hook or 4/0 Trokar EWG

5" Yum Money Minnow - 7/0 Trokar Magnum Weighted Swimbait hook

6" Yum Money Minnow - 9/0 Trokar Magnum Weighted Swimbait hook

[MainelyBASS]

19 minutes ago, Ersteman said:

Thanks.  You have no problems with hook sets? Do you cut the bait to help the bait slide down the hook?  Visually, it doesn't look like there's much room for the bait to move down the hook and to hook into the fish's mouth, but if it works, it works.

I do not cut the bait at all. I have never had a problem losing fish on paddle tail swimbaits. I also use Trokar swimbait hooks. I admit that I am addicted to them ever since I landed a 6 on 6lb test dropshotting. The hook was barely penetrated in the fishes mouth and he faught for a good 4 or 5 minutes but the Trokar did it's job. Havent bought another hook brand since.

[buzzed bait]

i haven't had any problems with hooksets using similar hooks to the ones shown in that diagram.  the keitechs are pretty soft so the hook penetrates them pretty well (and yeah trokar's are pricey, but stout).  I've also used the gamakatsu skip gap hooks with them and really like the fact that the swimbaits stay put on those hooks, and again no hook up issues that i've seen.

[Ersteman]

Thanks guys

[ChrisD46]

4/0 to 5/0 Gamakatsu EWG weighted hooks for the 5"

6/0 Owner Beast Hook weighted hooks for the 6"

Trokar's are nice - but so are the above hooks which may be found easier at places such as WM.