Dropshot Hooks, What R U Using?

[TxHawgs]

Yes believe it or not I just recently started dropshot fishing. It has placed me in the money in my last 3 club tournaments as a co-angler. But I'm going through the evolution of hooks lol. Now every angler in our club that fishes a dropshot uses an EWG style hook on Fork and of course Texas rigs their bait. I on the other hand use a traditional dropshot hook and nose hook my worms as I feel I get more action out of it. I also don't seem to get snagged anymore then they do. I'm currently using a 2/0 Aaron Martens gammy dropshot hook. Now yesterday after my 5th fish I lost about 8 or 9 fish in a row. At that point my leader was too short so I picked up my NRX 852 casting rod loaded with 8lb Sunline line and started catching them again. I actually loved that rod combined with a Aldebaran 51HG. So the only thought as to why I started losing fish is that if I remember correctly is that i got snagged and maybe messed up the hook? I did check the hook and it was still sticky sharp and did not seem to be rolled over or anything. I also can't understand how a hook that sharp with that much pressure being applied could lose fish. I reel set the fish and keep as much pressure as I can on that loaded up 822S-DSR spinning rod that I feel I can without breaking 6lb line. I did land 2 or 3 fish before losing them in deep water 20 to 26ft but it was in that water depth that all these fish were lost. I used the same hook on the 852 but was also able to really put it to them with the 8lb line. If my leader would of still been long enough on the 822 I would of put a new hook on and would now no the answer to my question. I also used that same hook on my casting rod. The line on my 822 is 16lb Sunline TX1 to a 6 or 7ft Tatsu 6lb leader. So does anyone have any thoughts on this? Do any of you also use that hook and if so have you had any similar problems with it? And out of curiosity what hook are you using? Thanks 

[Darren.]

I use braid + leader (currently) in 6, 8, and 10# test.

Gamma Edge fluoro, FWIW.

 

Gamakatsu split shot/drop shot hooks are preferred.

I make my own weedless (which is needed most of

the time).

[TxHawgs]

Any thoughts of way I may have lost 8 or more fish? 

[NorthwestBasser]

Gammy dropshot hooks, nose hooked plastics, 20# braid w/ flouro leader. I've only ever lost ONE fish off my dropshot. And it happened during the strike/hookset. I'm fairly certain it was a tiger musky biting me off. The hit was more powerful than any bass I've ever felt and my line was cut clean... (??who knows??) So basically, I trust and love my gamakatsu dropshot hooks and have zero idea why you would be losing fish at that depth...

[Mumbly]

Gamakatsu split shot/drop shot hooks here as well.

[WRB]

2/0 Gamakstsu drop shot hook, do you mean size 2?

What size soft plastics are you drop shotting?

Aaron has a trick nose hooking method by inserting the hook point about 3/8" back of the nose with point inside the worm point towards the end covered by plastic, in lieu of the hook going through the nose.

Both Gamakatsu or Owner mosquito drop shot hooks work good nose hooked. My preference for weedless drop shot hook is Owner #5133 size 1/0 or 2/0 down shot hook, light wire and extremely strong and sharp and skin hook the 5" to 6" worms. Another option for bigger size bass is Owner #5172 weedless wacky size 1 nose hooked in lieu of drop shot hooks.

Tom

[ww2farmer]

I use VMC spin shots.

 

#2 for nose hooking small to medium sized baits

 

#1 for medium to large sized baits

 

2/0 + 3/0  EWG spinshots for rigging  baits weedless

 

3/0 +4/0 EWG power shots for bubba shotting.

 

 

 

 

[CenCal fisher]

#2 hayabusa drop shot hooks. The hooks are extra light wire making them the sharpest hooks around. If a fish stays on for longer than a second it makes it to the boat

[Crestliner2008]

One of the biggest mistakes drop shot fishermen make is not changing their leaders out after ever 2 or 3 bass are landed. It's amazing how abrasive the lips are on bass, especially smallmouths. I use a light braid on my mainline with a 6' fluorocarbon leader. I pre-tie these leaders and wrap them around a felt tube (sold by many retailers). This way, regardless of whether or not a "feel" roughness around the hook, I switch leaders. This takes way less time to accomplish than fully re-tying. And it is an effective approach.

 

There is only one hook I use and that is the Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hook in #2 size. The main reason is the straightness of the hook point, vs. the "beaked" or curved hook point of a lot of other finesse style hooks. JMO.

[nhpleasantlakebass]

I'm a big fan of the standout hooks... been using them to drop shot for years there awesome

[Fishin' Fool]

12 hours ago, TxHawgs said:

Yes believe it or not I just recently started dropshot fishing. It has placed me in the money in my last 3 club tournaments as a co-angler. But I'm going through the evolution of hooks lol. Now every angler in our club that fishes a dropshot uses an EWG style hook on Fork and of course Texas rigs their bait. I on the other hand use a traditional dropshot hook and nose hook my worms as I feel I get more action out of it. I also don't seem to get snagged anymore then they do. I'm currently using a 2/0 Aaron Martens gammy dropshot hook. Now yesterday after my 5th fish I lost about 8 or 9 fish in a row. At that point my leader was too short so I picked up my NRX 852 casting rod loaded with 8lb Sunline line and started catching them again. I actually loved that rod combined with a Aldebaran 51HG. So the only thought as to why I started losing fish is that if I remember correctly is that i got snagged and maybe messed up the hook? I did check the hook and it was still sticky sharp and did not seem to be rolled over or anything. I also can't understand how a hook that sharp with that much pressure being applied could lose fish. I reel set the fish and keep as much pressure as I can on that loaded up 822S-DSR spinning rod that I feel I can without breaking 6lb line. I did land 2 or 3 fish before losing them in deep water 20 to 26ft but it was in that water depth that all these fish were lost. I used the same hook on the 852 but was also able to really put it to them with the 8lb line. If my leader would of still been long enough on the 822 I would of put a new hook on and would now no the answer to my question. I also used that same hook on my casting rod. The line on my 822 is 16lb Sunline TX1 to a 6 or 7ft Tatsu 6lb leader. So does anyone have any thoughts on this? Do any of you also use that hook and if so have you had any similar problems with it? And out of curiosity what hook are you using? Thanks 

 

I've drop shot alot over the past decade. I've been through quite a few hooks but settled on the Gamakatsu splitshot/drop shot hook in size 1. 2/0 seems like a big hook, how big are the lures you are drop shotting? You might want to back that off to a 1/0.

[Gundog]

9 hours ago, ww2farmer said:

I use VMC spin shots.

 

#2 for nose hooking small to medium sized baits

 

#1 for medium to large sized baits

 

2/0 + 3/0  EWG spinshots for rigging  baits weedless

 

3/0 +4/0 EWG power shots for bubba shotting.

 

 

 

 

What do you consider small, medium and large sizes in inches? I use a #1 hook but think it might be too large for some baits.

[ww2farmer]

44 minutes ago, Gundog said:

What do you consider small, medium and large sizes in inches? I use a #1 hook but think it might be too large for some baits.

It's more about the amount of "bulk" a bait has that sits in the bend of the hook then overall length of the bait. For thin baits like worms,  3" + 4"senkos/dingers, and minnow type drop shot baits like (yum kill/warning shots, cross tail shads, gulp minnows, etc.) I use the #2 hook. For baits with more "meat" on them in the area I nose hook them like pit bosses, chigger craws, 5" + 6" sticks, etc...I bump up to the #1. I like to use as small a hook as I can, and still maintain a high hook up ratio. Those little #2's are like magic, they stick and land just about everything that touches them as long as I don't have too much plastic working against me in the hook gap.

[TxHawgs]

1 hour ago, Fishin' Fool said:

 

I've drop shot alot over the past decade. I've been through quite a few hooks but settled on the Gamakatsu splitshot/drop shot hook in size 1. 2/0 seems like a big hook, how big are the lures you are drop shotting? You might want to back that off to a 1/0.

I fish a 5" Roboworm lol. So the hook being too big might be what's causing me to lose fish? And I nose hook the worm like Aaron Marten. Should I got to a sz 1 or 2? Thanks man!

12 hours ago, WRB said:

2/0 Gamakstsu drop shot hook, do you mean size 2?

What size soft plastics are you drop shotting?

Aaron has a trick nose hooking method by inserting the hook point about 3/8" back of the nose with point inside the worm point towards the end covered by plastic, in lieu of the hook going through the nose.

Both Gamakatsu or Owner mosquito drop shot hooks work good nose hooked. My preference for weedless drop shot hook is Owner #5133 size 1/0 or 2/0 down shot hook, light wire and extremely strong and sharp and skin hook the 5" to 6" worms. Another option for bigger size bass is Owner #5172 weedless wacky size 1 nose hooked in lieu of drop shot hooks.

Tom

Yes I'm using a 2/0 sz. I have the Owner hooks you mentioned as I'm a big Owner fan. I'm only fishing a 5" Roboworm and I do nose hook it like Aaron Marten. I think I feel I need a hook that sz too hook the fish in the corner or outside of its mouth. And need the hook gap that wide to work, where I guess you hook them inside the mouth yes?

[Fishin' Fool]

7 minutes ago, TxHawgs said:

I fish a 5" Roboworm lol. So the hook being too big might be what's causing me to lose fish? And I nose hook the worm like Aaron Marten. Should I got to a sz 1 or 2? Thanks man!

 

Give the 1/0 or 1 a try. Somebody said above they use the size 2 and it keeps the fish buttoned. The problem with the 2/0 is you're losing action in your lures too.

When you see it you will be amazed such a small hook will work but I fish a lot for smallies with those tough jaws and it works well.

[TxHawgs]

The guys that are successful in our club all fish sz 1 and 2 EWG style hooks. Most the gammy g-lock hook. And of course Texas rig their 5" worms.

[Fishin' Fool]

2 minutes ago, TxHawgs said:

The guys that are successful in our club all fish sz 1 and 2 EWG style hooks. Most the gammy g-lock hook. And of course Texas rig their 5" worms.

 

That's the key they are t-rigging and you are nose rigging. Just trust me and go with the smaller hooks. Keep your bigger ones for if you t-tig your lures.

[TxHawgs]

9 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

 

That's the key they are t-rigging and you are nose rigging. Just trust me and go with the smaller hooks. Keep your bigger ones for if you t-tig your lures.

I use the Aaron Martens gammy hook it's a traditional dropshot hook. So unfortunately I can't use them to T-rig but that's ok lol. All part of learning. I love those hooks they r insanely sharp, I always stick myself when pulling my Palomar knot tight lol. And the hook doesn't have that beak to it, it's straight which makes nose hooking baits like Aaron dose really nice as its parallel with the bait and gives it great action. Far more than the baits the guys r T-rigging. I don't care for the Palomar knot though as I have problems keeping the hook in line w the line. 

Anyone using a different knot than the Palomar? Also was considering trying these new Trapper dropshot hooks in a sz 2 or 4. And the Skinny Bear dropshot hooks have one of the highest ratings on TW. We use to use #18 hooks for 8lb Steelhead so not sure why I was afraid to go smaller than the 2/0 for bass but anxious to try the new sz in this Thursday's tourney.

[Fishin' Fool]

I use the Palomar knot and have very few issues with it. My buddy didn't like and learned the knot that Aaron Martens switched too for drop shots. I don't remember what it's called but he likes it.

http://www.bassmaster.com/video/aaron-martens-drop-shot-rig

[WRB]

37 minutes ago, TxHawgs said:

I fish a 5" Roboworm lol. So the hook being too big might be what's causing me to lose fish? And I nose hook the worm like Aaron Marten. Should I got to a sz 1 or 2? Thanks man!

Yes I'm using a 2/0 sz. I have the Owner hooks you mentioned as I'm a big Owner fan. I'm only fishing a 5" Roboworm and I do nose hook it like Aaron Marten. I think I feel I need a hook that sz too hook the fish in the corner or outside of its mouth. And need the hook gap that wide to work, where I guess you hook them inside the mouth yes?

5" Roboworm is a small diameter body worm and 2/0 hook wire is 50% larger than a size 1 AM Gammy drop shot hook. I believe your loosing bass is too big a hook for the line size you may be using.

The majority of bass get hooked through the top lip near the nostrils and can't remember having a drop shot bass come unkooked. The trick with a Palomar knot is running the line through the hook eye by holding the hook point facing away from the eye, line going toward the point, then back through the eye away from the point, make your overhand knot, drop the hook through the loop so the line doesn't twist, snug up the overhand knot, wet the knot and pull the tag end slowly tight. The hook is facing upright correctly almost every time.

The Owner 5133 size 1/0 is perfect for 5" Roboworms weedless skin hooked, I only put the off set about 1/8-3/16" into the nose and skin hook into the side of the worm, good action and rarely miss strikes doing this. Also try some Iovino 5" straight smallmouth killer, it's a good worm, looks like both Shad and shiners.

Tom

[RoLo]

 

My dropshot hook is the Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hook

My baseline hook size is #1, but I go to #2 for thin baits and 1/0 for fatter baits.

Roger

[ec1]

You're pretty much using the best drop shot hook on the market IMO. These hooks do get dulled from snags etc. and by then they usually go to the trash for me. Perhaps that happened to you? Size 1 - 1/0 is my favorite.

Another great alternative hook is the trokar dropshot hook but they will get dulled on rocks / wood just as easily.

[TxHawgs]

23 minutes ago, ec1 said:

You're pretty much using the best drop shot hook on the market IMO. These hooks do get dulled from snags etc. and by then they usually go to the trash for me. Perhaps that happened to you? Size 1 - 1/0 is my favorite.

Another great alternative hook is the trokar dropshot hook but they will get dulled on rocks / wood just as easily.

Have u tried the #2 sz hook? I'm fishing 5" Robos and Zoom Finesse worms.

58 minutes ago, WRB said:

5" Roboworm is a small diameter body worm and 2/0 hook wire is 50% larger than a size 1 AM Gammy drop shot hook. I believe your loosing bass is too big a hook for the line size you may be using.

The majority of bass get hooked through the top lip near the nostrils and can't remember having a drop shot bass come unkooked. The trick with a Palomar knot is running the line through the hook eye by holding the hook point facing away from the eye, line going toward the point, then back through the eye away from the point, make your overhand knot, drop the hook through the loop so the line doesn't twist, snug up the overhand knot, wet the knot and pull the tag end slowly tight. The hook is facing upright correctly almost every time.

The Owner 5133 size 1/0 is perfect for 5" Roboworms weedless skin hooked, I only put the off set about 1/8-3/16" into the nose and skin hook into the side of the worm, good action and rarely miss strikes doing this. Also try some Iovino 5" straight smallmouth killer, it's a good worm, looks like both Shad and shiners.

Tom

Thanks for the info Tom. I do tie my Palomar exactly how you explained. I have the Owner 5133 in 1/0, and when I rig the worm straight and skin hook it it's so tight the worm that is that it takes a lot of pressure to push the worm down and expose the hook? Are the Iovino worms good for LM also as that's all I fish for? But we have tons of Gizzard and Threadfin shad in Fork. Any suggestions on which colors would match those shad best? I'm color blind so it's not easy matching the hatch lol.

[WRB]

If you run the hook through one side of the worm body, not through the center, then slip the point just under the skin of the plastic it pops out with very little resistance. You don't need to pull the worm tight onto the hook, just eyeball where the hook bend should be and push the worm forward about 3/8" and put the point into one side about 1/16 deep, the point just under the soft plastic. The bass usually hook themselves when they bite and you lift the rod tip to reel up.

Roboworm baitball is a good Shad color, Iovino DVL special is another good Shad color and his Smallmouth special is a greenish blue Shad color for LMB and all work good on a drop shot and slip shot rigs.

Tom