Thinnest Keel Weighted Hook

[JoePhish]

What are some thin keel weighted or weighted swimbait hooks?

It seems most swimbait hooks are pretty thick. I'm looking for something I can fish on 8lb FC.

I sometimes use the Owner Weighted Twistlock Light but I'd like a wider gap and something available in 3/0.

Any suggestions? 

[ww2farmer]

VMC Drop Dead.

 

I often use the 3/0 1/16th or 1/8th oz. on 4" + 5" Yum dingers skipped under docks on spinning gear with light line.

[Munkin]

Owner twist lock are made in different sizes. Besides those most weighted hooks come with thick hooks. 

 

Allen 

[Brad in Texas]

I'd second the choice of a VMC Drop Dead hook as a great "finesse" choice. And, I'd stay with the lightest 1/16th keel weight . . . available all the way up to a 5/0 as I recall.

 

For 8 lbs. fluoro, as a main line or a leader, I'd likely use a 3/0 and an appropriate sized plastic, say a 4" fluke/shad/etc.  I think the shanks are longer on these than many other hooks, too, and so between that and the bait keeper, it really gives a fish a long "bite" area to hook itself on. Very nice.

 

One thing I'd recommend is removing the bait keeper screw device that comes standard on these and replace it with an Owner medium sized CPS. Having that little pointer pinning guide on it helps one get the bait screwed on much more centered. I have bought these Owner CPS devices in bags of 50 for a very low price from a major online tackle source.

 

Hey! I commend you for going "finesse" here and fishing this presentation on 8 lbs. line! It works great.

 

Brad

 

 

[papajoe222]

I don’t think the VMC are any thinner than any other brand, although they are available in lighter weights. 

As you likely won’t find a thin wire, keel weighted swimbait hook, a couple of suggestions; Up your line choice to 10lb. The slight difference in diameter over the 8lb. Isn’t going to make a major difference in line management and the fish aren’t going to notice the slight difference. The other is keep your casts short. Less line out will reduce the amount of stretch over that of a longer cast and you’ll have a better angle for a better hook-set.

[ChrisD46]

15 hours ago, Brad in Texas said:

I'd second the choice of a VMC Drop Dead hook as a great "finesse" choice. And, I'd stay with the lightest 1/16th keel weight . . . available all the way up to a 5/0 as I recall.

 

For 8 lbs. fluoro, as a main line or a leader, I'd likely use a 3/0 and an appropriate sized plastic, say a 4" fluke/shad/etc.  I think the shanks are longer on these than many other hooks, too, and so between that and the bait keeper, it really gives a fish a long "bite" area to hook itself on. Very nice.

 

One thing I'd recommend is removing the bait keeper screw device that comes standard on these and replace it with an Owner medium sized CPS. Having that little pointer pinning guide on it helps one get the bait screwed on much more centered. I have bought these Owner CPS devices in bags of 50 for a very low price from a major online tackle source.

 

Hey! I commend you for going "finesse" here and fishing this presentation on 8 lbs. line! It works great.

 

Brad

 

 

*Curious why you suggest to stay with the lightest (1/16th oz.) weight ? The VMC Drop Dead hook would be ideal in 3/32nd oz. in a 5" or 6" Yum Dinger , Senko , etc.

[fishwizzard]

Moaner Hooks have a few different weighted hook styles and while non of them are truly "light", they are for sure not "heavy" either.  They have a pretty reasonable flat shipping rate, so picking up a pack or two at a time isn't awful.  

[Brad in Texas]

20 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Curious why you suggest to stay with the lightest (1/16th oz.) weight ? The VMC Drop Dead hook would be ideal in 3/32nd oz. in a 5" or 6" Yum Dinger , Senko , etc.

Chris, just the original poster's using 8 lbs. line made me think the 1/16th would be best. When I use 8 lbs., I don't like a lot of weight generally. And, when I fish my home lake, Lake Athens in Texas, it has so much vegetation that I am in no "rush" for my baits to drag down into it.  Light works well.  Today, I decided to run a canoe I fish out of up to the boat ramp and fish my way home. That sounded better than dragging it down off my truck and down to the boathouse. I ended up catching 4 small/medium sized LMBs paddling back using a weightless Keitech Shad Impact in a 4" size. A 3/0 60 degree bend jig hook and an Owner CPS was it . . . no weight but I think I might have liked just a bit of a keel weighting.  Brad

[JoePhish]

Thanks for all the advice and opinions given here.

I couldn't find exactly what I had in mind so I decided to buy hook weights from BPS. I grabbed a box of 1/16 (50 pack) and a box of 1/8 (32pack). At around the same price of 2 packs of keel weighted hooks (6 -8 hooks altogether depending on the brand) I find it to be cost effective. I've never used these so it will be an experiment for me.