Wide gap hooks that wont bend?

[Hez]

I am having issues finding a wide gap hook that does not bend out. 

 

I have tried multiple brands now (Gamakatsu, Mustad, Lunker City Texposers...) and they all end up bending out.  

 

Granted, I am probably a little more tough on equipment than most people...especially here in the thick stuff in Florida.  It's nothing for me boat flip a 4 lber.  

 

But I can't help to think there is a brand out there that will be tough enough for this stuff.  

 

What are you all using?  Does anyone else struggle with this?  

[Raul]

What kind of hooks are you purchasing ?

 

Super line hooks have thicker wire.

[Hez]

The Lunker City Texposers is what I've been using most recently.  

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lunker_City_Texposer_Worm_Hook_5pk/descpage-LCTEXPO.html 

 

 

[Team9nine]

It's their inherent design that makes them bend out easier. Going to have to go heavier wire like Gammi Superline EWG as mentioned above.

[A-Jay]

For a non-flipping hook, the Owner Wide Gap Plus Black Chrome Hooks are my go to for next level beyond standard wire Gamakatsu .

 

Also the "superline" hooks by Gamakatsu are pretty stout.

 

A-Jay

[Catt]

[r83srock]

I've bent the super line EWG gamakatsu. The heavy wire owners are the best. The super line ewg Berkley fusions are the next best.

[Hez]

I am pretty sure I have some of the superline hooks - but I'm going to go through my order history at Tacklewarhouse to be sure.  

 

I think I will order some of the Owner wide gap and try them.  

 

Thanks a ton guys.  

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

I've seen mixed reviews on Trokar hooks; some folks don't like the way the chisel points tear up the plastic baits. I don't catch enough fish to have that issue, but they are definitely some heavy-duty hooks (in my opinion anyway).

[Hez]

1 minute ago, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

I've seen mixed reviews on Trokar hooks; some folks don't like the way the chisel points tear up the plastic baits. I don't catch enough fish to have that issue, but they are definitely some heavy-duty hooks (in my opinion anyway).

I use the Trokar mainly for my flipping hooks.  They are a little too beefy for my worm applications.  

[NHBull]

When I go off sure or need weight without wanting to add a weight, the superline Gammy is the choice.  This summer I landed several 45" strippers and never bent one.......should be good for 5 lb bass

[CTBassin860]

If it had to be EWG then check out the Owner wide gap plus. If you can go straight shank just use an Owner Jungle hook

[ClackerBuzz]

lotta good recommendations.  just for another point of view:

sometimes less is more.

 

Greg Hackney often talks about how great his hook ups and land ratio were pre-fishing b/c he's relaxed.  come tournament day his ratios went way down b/c he started swinging hard and fast from being so excited. ratios went back up after he adjusted to pre-fishing hooksets letting the rod, line, terminal tackle all do their job.

 

i've seen buddies jack a bass so hard the punch rig came flying back to the boat.  they say "darn he only had it by the tail."  My reply is always "He had the whole bait but you jack it so hard u blew his mouth open and almost blinded me at the same time."

 

just something to think about

 

 

[WRB]

Change hook design, EWG hooks are your problem and Flippin style hooks are your solution. 

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

I use Eagle Claw Magworm EWG hooks. Never bent one even with braid in heavy cover. 

[TOXIC]

I've never bent a SuperLine Gammy....maybe I need to catch bigger fish.    Then again, I never swing my fish.....well I will if its under 2lbs and doesn't hit the carpet.....Never understood the reason for swinging them in.  

[Siebert Outdoors]

I would go with the Owner Jungle hook or the Owner Flipping hook cps.

[Hez]

3 hours ago, TOXIC said:

.....Never understood the reason for swinging them in.  

I guess it is just the way I was taught and what you see some of the pros (the ones I follow) do; Hunter Shryock is one example.  

 

If  you have a fish hooked up and he has momentum swimming towards the boat - it's much easier for me to use that momentum to get them into the boat.  If not, I just use the net.  

 

[WRB]

Off topic. Big bass are easy to hand land, they have a big mouth. Bouncing big bass may look impressive but it's harmful to the bass whomever does it. If MLF anglers bounce a bass it costs them a 2 minute penalty, I think if done intensionally it should be a DQ!

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

13 hours ago, WRB said:

Off topic. Big bass are easy to hand land, they have a big mouth. Bouncing big bass may look impressive but it's harmful to the bass whomever does it. If MLF anglers bounce a bass it costs them a 2 minute penalty, I think if done intensionally it should be a DQ!

Tom

It doesn't look impressive at all to me. If I bounced off the bottom of the boat that hard, I'd probably need a minute to get back up, and my body is built to protect my internals way better than a bass' is. I'll swing them, but I'm catching the line and keeping the fish off the carpet. Kind of ironic when some guys get all bent out of shape about someone keeping a fish to eat, then treat the fish poorly while landing/handling/hauling them. 

[Hez]

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I'll swing them, but I'm catching the line and keeping the fish off the carpet. 

Exactly what I do.

 

[TOXIC]

I understand the Elites do it because they are not allowed to use a net and although the FLW allows nets, lots of those pros swing them in for time savings but there's no doubt it's not good for the fish either from bouncing off the console, gunnel or floor causing impact damage and slime removal plus dangling them by the hook shaft ripping their mouth only to grab them and jack their jaw sideways.  The "pros" don't do a very good job on fish care IMHO.  When I had clients in my boat I always hand landed anything over a pound and explained proper fish care.  

[Hez]

1 minute ago, TOXIC said:

I understand the Elites do it because they are not allowed to use a net and although the FLW allows nets, lots of those pros swing them in for time savings but there's no doubt it's not good for the fish either from bouncing off the console, gunnel or floor causing impact damage and slime removal plus dangling them by the hook shaft ripping their mouth only to grab them and jack their jaw sideways.  The "pros" don't do a very good job on fish care IMHO.  When I had clients in my boat I always hand landed anything over a pound and explained proper fish care.  

Good stuff.  I can respect and appreciate that.