Minimum Hook Supply needed for soft plastics?

[WRangler506]

I have all my new tubes, grubs, senkos and worms. I have plenty of dropshot hooks, some weighted tube jigs (1/4 and 3/8), LOTS of ball jigs from 1/8 and up, and some 2/0 EWG hooks, and some skirted jigs.

 

I think Ill need some 3/0 or 4/0 hooks also.

 

Anything else jump out that I need to cover the basics for smallmouth? Mostly open water but some light/moderate cover also.

[Cgolf]

Personally all I use any more are the slider spider heads. Been 15+ years since I have used a bullet weight and hook for a soft plastics. I guess the difference for me is I don't need to punch any mats so I can get away with the lighter weights.

[CroakHunter]

I'd just get the 4/0 hooks. The 2/0 will cover anything the 3's would. And the 4/0 will cover anything the 3's would plus bigger up to anything needing a 5/0. Just my opinion. I only buy odd numbered sizes of hooks. 1/0-7/0

[jr231]

3/0 is my most often used hook 

[BrackishBassin]

41 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

3/0 is my most often used hook 

Ditto, but I don’t fish for smallmouth. 

[Turkey sandwich]

1 hour ago, CroakHunter said:

I'd just get the 4/0 hooks. The 2/0 will cover anything the 3's would. And the 4/0 will cover anything the 3's would plus bigger up to anything needing a 5/0. Just my opinion. I only buy odd numbered sizes of hooks. 1/0-7/0

Generally, this is good advice to cover bases without breaking the bank.  

 

I think its good to have some kind of circle/octopus/wacky hook (whatever your preference) for the Senkos.  I also think it's a good idea to have straight shank, offset shank, and extra wide gap style worm hooks and know when each makes the most sense. 

[bigbill]

I use a weighted 3/0 hook with the weedless barb in the head for worms.

My senkos get a eagle claw weedless hook for a wacky c rig.

 

little by little watching for clearances and sales I have fill the plastic #37 boxes with weedless hooks of all sizes. You can never have too many different size hooks.

[LCG]

I like a 4/0 round bend off set worm hook over an ewg for trick worm type baits. 

[Angry John]

Some people use odd and I go even as 2/0 is my most used hook followed by 4/0.  For punching I could go 4/0 only. The gammy ewg is what I but and the mustad grip pin punching hook.  Owner 3/0 weighted swim bait hooks and 2/0 weedless hoOKs for wacky.  Everything else is specialty low volume stuff, like 10/0 beast which you don't need 30 backups.

[Log Catcher]

The bait determines what size hook to use. Some of them you are better off with EWG hooks and some you will be better off with off set round bend hook.

[Brad in Texas]

Some fine logic, tips here. I really like the idea of generally skipping and only buying odds or evens.

 

For sure, on some fat plastics, the EWG seems almost necessary; but, whenever possible, I like to use an old fashioned worm hook.

 

I thread the hook tip through the nose of the plastic with a bias, not straight down, so that when I T-Rig it, I can leave the hook point just below the surface (weedless) where it pops out at around a 45 degree angle to drive into and snag the fish. i just feel that it makes for the very best hook set. EWGs and offset hooks have rather flat-lying hook points by comparison and I miss more with them.

 

One hook I never leave home without? Roboworm Rebarb hooks in various sizes. I use the smaller sizes for drop shots, larger sizes for other presentations.

 

One last thing I'd add: buy 60 degree jig hooks (3/0 would be good), medium sized Owner CPS centering pins, and nose pin Keitechs and worms, other plastics. This is another "hook" set up that gives a nice big bite area for the fish to get caught on.

 

Brad

[Angry John]

One other thing I was taught but not verified is the Guage of the wire increases a lot between 2/0 and 3/0 in a few hook series.  I seemed to need less power to get a good Hooksett in a 5" worm when I started with spinning rods and I was set in my ways by the time I got into casting.

[HookRz]

Bass fishing has gotten so complicated. I remember when 2/0 and 4/0 sproats for small and large worms was all I carried! And to tell the truth I think I landed just as many fish back then. 

[burrows]

I go threw more 4/0 than anything 

[optimator]

22 hours ago, HookRz said:

Bass fishing has gotten so complicated. I remember when 2/0 and 4/0 sproats for small and large worms was all I carried! And to tell the truth I think I landed just as many fish back then. 

You probably did, I know I did. Don't get me wrong, I like buying new toys as much as the next guy. But the tackle industry is just like the camo industry. There's something new every year that we just have to have. But a lot of it doesn't have any better result than what we were using 30 years ago. 

 

Oh yeah, I like 4/0.