expose/don't expose hook on plastic worms

[Bream Master]

Which is the recommended way?  

Thanks.

[fourbizz]

I expose the hook about 90 percent of the time. I just dont like having a plastic stopper on my hook point. But in real heavy cover sometimes you just got to.

[BASS fisherman]

I don't think there is a recommended way to rig the hook.  If im fishing heavy weeds, I put the hook point back into the skin of the plastic, same with all other plastics.  I always skin hook the point.  

But if I am fishing a YUM dinger, it comes with the little hook slot that hides the hook.  I never skin it when I use a dinger.  But with a senko, and any other plastic bait I do.  

[flechero]

I think you'll find that there is a pretty evenly divided opinion on this.  I never expose the point, but I spend much of my time in brush or weeds and would hang up all the time if I did expose it.  I also use heavy worm rods so penetration is not a problem.  The ONLY exception for me is on the fat ika but I use a gammy EWG hook so the angle allows it to ride on the plastice and not really stick out.  My normal worm hook is an Owner (5102) offset xx strong wide gap and they will hang up horribly bad if rigged exposed.

I think a lot of people tex-pose the hook, nothing wrong with that either, just a little less weedless.  

[ga_hawghauler]

i primarly fish soft plastics and i almost always hook the point back in the skin of the bait.

[Dan:]

If I'm using a thin worm like a 4" power worm, i'll leave the hook imbedded in the plastic, if I'm using a thicker worm like a senko, i usually expose the hook and if i'm in cover, i put the hook through and put the tip of the point back into the plastic.

[Guest avid]

It's all about the cover.

There's really no point in burying the hook if there are no snags around to hang you up.  But down here in florida, those places are few and far between, so we pretty much T- rig everything plastic.

[shortbasser]

Weedless all the way. I am primarily fishing a creek off the Intercoastal Waterway and it is nothing but structure. I'd be spending most of my time re-rigging if I didn't go weedless. Never had a problem with hooksets. Worm rods, fluorocarbon line and Gammy hooks to match the size/thickness of the baits gets the job done.

Cypress trees/knees just love exposed hooks.

[MALTESE FALCON]

99% OF THE TIME I'M IN WEEDS, SO I ALWAYS SKIN HOOK THE BAIT. I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH HOOKSETS.

[Catt]

It depends on cover, care to throw an exposed hook in this?

[Raul]

It depends on cover, care to throw an exposed hook in this?

Weeeeeeeelll, that depends what you 've got in mind, catching fish or weeds.

[RoLo]

Weeeeeeeelll, that depends what you 've got in mind, catching fish or weeds.

I feel no compelling reason to leave the hook-point exposed, and always imbed the point in plastic.

I use PowerPro braid so the point of a premium hook pierces plastic like greased lightning.

Roger

[nboucher]

Hook buried. If getting hung up isn't a problem, I'll go wacky-rigged rather than expose the hook point.

[Catt]

It depends on cover, care to throw an exposed hook in this?

Weeeeeeeelll, that depends what you 've got in mind, catching fish or weeds.

If you aint fishing the grass you aint catching the bass!

[Bankbeater]

I fish all of my plastics with the hook skinned.

[scott000]

i use tex-posed

[sodaksker]

99% of the time I have the hook in the worm.  The only time I take it out is, if I'm missing fish and there are no snags.

[Chris]

Straight shank worm hook I don't expose the hook point. I poke the hook through to create a hole then bring it back into the worm or in heavy cover or a super soft worm I just texas rig it with the point still in the worm....with a EWG or off set hook I poke the hook through the worm and skin hook the point (texas exposed)

[justfishin]

I guess its not a law to embed the hook. I mostly skin hook them myself. I have never had a problem doing this as the way I set the hook I am sure that little piece of plastic is not going to affect my hooking power. I do throw a open hook in some situations in open water when I throw flukes or sometimes when I am deep water with a drop shot or chucking a tube on a leadhead jig or throwing a Alabama rig. Just look where you are at, is there wood or riprap? I surely wouldn't throw a open hook in those environments. Good luck!

[Vyron]

Straight shank worm hook I don't expose the hook point. I poke the hook through to create a hole then bring it back into the worm or in heavy cover or a super soft worm I just texas rig it with the point still in the worm....with a EWG or off set hook I poke the hook through the worm and skin hook the point (texas exposed)

totally agree

[Replica.]

I expose the hook whenever possible.  In weeds and rocks I skin hook it.