EWG vs Straight Shank

[Dypsis]

So as I better myself as an angler I have a question for you BR.  So this weekend (Fri-Sun) we basically pitched & flipped to laydowns (wood) ALL weekend.  Tourneament day - Sunday, we caught all our fish that we weighed in a 400 yd stretch of laydowns.  Most were up very tight to cover, but a few were maybe 3-5' off the bank.  In this situation would it be better to use a EWG hook or a straight shank flipping hook - not the crazy heavy duty ones - but a 'normal' strength one.  Ex - Mustad Denny Brauer Grip Pin Max Flippin' Hook.  I would flip the bait work it about 5' then flip again.  I was using a 3/16 or 1/4oz weight.  No pads or grass to get through, jsut wood.

Is it personal preference or is one better than the other in this situation?  

[Bluebasser86]

For me, it's not about the situation, but my equipment.

Braid=straight shank

Everything else=EWG

I can not get a good hookup ratio with a straight shank with anything but braid for some reason.

[HeavyDluxe]

I'm no super-skilled angler, but I've always heard it different.

THICKER hooks are for use with heavier braid.  I believe the idea is to keep the hooks from bending open and unbuttoning when you're applying LOTS of pressure to the fish.  A lighter-wire hook is more likely to straighten. So, the strength of the hook is proportional to the pressure you're going to put on the fish, and that is tied to the type of tackle.

The SHAPE or style of the hook (EWG or straight) has more to do with the kinds of plastics being fished and hook-ups.  You want a hook that allows the plastic to fully clear the barb of the hook when a fish is on.  That means a more solid hook-up and less chance of coming unglued.  So, an EWG works for really THICK plastics and the straight shank for thinner ones.  I imagine there's also something application-oriented here (like Carolina rigs are best with [insert hook] because of the way you set the hook and the position of the weight relative to the hook) but I don't know what that is.

Take with a relatively large grain of salt... And discard completely if others chime in.

[Dypsis]

2 hours ago, HeavyDluxe said:

I'm no super-skilled angler, but I've always heard it different.

THICKER hooks are for use with heavier braid.  I believe the idea is to keep the hooks from bending open and unbuttoning when you're applying LOTS of pressure to the fish.  A lighter-wire hook is more likely to straighten. So, the strength of the hook is proportional to the pressure you're going to put on the fish, and that is tied to the type of tackle.

The SHAPE or style of the hook (EWG or straight) has more to do with the kinds of plastics being fished and hook-ups.  You want a hook that allows the plastic to fully clear the barb of the hook when a fish is on.  That means a more solid hook-up and less chance of coming unglued.  So, an EWG works for really THICK plastics and the straight shank for thinner ones.  I imagine there's also something application-oriented here (like Carolina rigs are best with [insert hook] because of the way you set the hook and the position of the weight relative to the hook) but I don't know what that is.

Take with a relatively large grain of salt... And discard completely if others chime in.

No, makes a ton of sense.  Thank you!

[scaleface]

I use standard offset hooks whenever  I can get away with it . The rule of thumb is the gap  should be twice as wide as the baits girth . Being I use slim plastic worms most I think standard offset hooks work better for "me" . They have more bite to them . Just compare them to wide gaps .gently pull one on your arm and see which one is cutting in better . Straight shanks have even more bite . I just like the ability of the offset to keep the bait in place .

[S. Sass]

I definitely prefer a straight shank over others. My second choice would be a offset shank. Last choice for me is a EWG. EWG is the most closed up of the three only leaving a small gap for the fish to get in front of the hook point. 

I completely understand some having issues getting their particular plastic to work for them on certain baits. On certain thick baits the EWG just fits so "pretty" I understand why some think it's great.

I just have that knowledge in my head saying you have to have him near perfect for a good hookup. So I don't put myself In that position very often. 

[Dypsis]

Any recomendations on a straight shank hook to try?  I'll buy a pack or 2 at the TW sale this weekend.

[onetime]

1 hour ago, Dypsis said:

Any recomendations on a straight shank hook to try?  I'll buy a pack or 2 at the TW sale this weekend.

 

This is what I use and works great for me.

For finesse fishing use this

http://www.***.com/Lazer_Trokar_Light_Wire_Finesse_Worm_Hook/descpage-LZLWFWH.html

For braid and heavy flouro use this

http://www.***.com/Lazer_Trokar_Flippin_Hook/descpage-ECTFH.html

 

 

[fishwizzard]

I have been using more and more Straight and Offset hooks in recent months and I feel like I am getting more hookups.   In particular I have been using the Trokar Finesse worm hooks with a 1/16oz weight and a GYCB 4' worm. They are super sharp and strong, the only downside is that almost every missed hookset costs me a worm as that hook does not mess around and almost cuts the worm in half.  

[Siebert Outdoors]

I use basically 2 hooks anymore.  Owner Jungle hook and the Owner Flipping hook.

[Dypsis]

4 hours ago, Siebert Outdoors said:

I use basically 2 hooks anymore.  Owner Jungle hook and the Owner Flipping hook.

Are you talking about the 4100 and the 5168?

[Airman4754]

Flip/pitch/punch, C-rig, drop shot= straight shank

Everything else is EWG. 

Why? I don't know, but it works for me! 

[atcoha]

I use straight shank with roboworms and BIG worms. pretty much use ewg hooks for everything else. On occasion, I will try to use up some older offset/straight hooks, just to get rid of them.

[Siebert Outdoors]

14 hours ago, Dypsis said:

Are you talking about the 4100 and the 5168?

Correct

Owner Flipping twist lock 5168

Owner Jungle Hook  4100

These are two of my all time favorites.