Weird hooks

[RagingOwl]

I bought a package of hooks labeled "bass assortment".  Most of which I recognize.  But I have a couple (one small, one really big wide gap) where the tip of the hook and the eye are not aligned.  In other words, if you lay the hook on a table, it would not be flat.

 

What are these used for?  they don't seem to "fit" any plastics I have

[MN Fisher]

Without a picture...sounds like an offset circle hook. Use those in place of regular circle hooks if you don't plan on tossing the fish back. They have a higher chance of gut-hooking the fish than regular circle hooks.

 

https://www.carolinasportsman.com/fishing/offset-off-center/

[Turkey sandwich]

Some hooks are offset to the side intentionally to help with hook ups.  They can work well with wider, thicker bodied soft plastics (think T-rigging a thick beaver or creature type bait). The idea is that the off-center hook is more likely to catch tissue on a hook set.  I have no idea how the science plays out, but they do work.  Generally, my preference is keeping the hook in line with the eye 99% of the time, so I rarely go away from the standard worm hooks other than extra wide gap or straight shank (to best fit the bait).

 

They're definitely worth playing with, though, and they'll still catch fish.  

[MartinTheFisherman]

I know which hooks you are talking about, they are at Walmart for $1.96 with 40 hooks included. I got a pack, there are four different varieties included, 10 straight shank hooks, 10 weird catfish looking hooks, 10 live bait hooks, 10 offset hooks. They are pretty bad and come dull. 

[Fishes in trees]

As I recall, those hooks are called "kirbed" hooks and they are intended for use with live bait, like minnows or worms, stuff like that.  They don't work very well for presenting artificial baits.  Sharpen them prior to using them, that goes for any hook assortment that you purchase.

 

Eagle Claw used to make a hook called the "Messler".   Messler was the last name of the guy who designed the hook.  It has a different kind of curve to it and the point didn't exactly align with the tie eye of the hook.   It was designed to be used for fishing plastic worms and the notion was that when the fish bit and the hook was in the mouth of the fish, you'd feel the hit and set the hook and the compound curve of the hook would guarantee (most of the time) that the hook would rotate and catch in the upper part of the mouth of the fish, thereby making catch & release easier.

 

I didn't experience much success with these hooks, but without a picture can't really tell what the hooks look like.  My 2 cents. . . .

[Wendy Lou]

Messier work hook by Eagle Claw

 

also called Colt 45

 

i used them for years fishing 8” and up soft plastic

 

worked well

 

98% off hook ups were in top of the mouth.

fell in love with them for fishing shrimp on them for redfish

 

the compound curve caused the hook to rotate up (sometimes straight down

 

had to sharpen frequently