What size drop shot hook for t-rigging?

[Dwbassin]

I’ve been having a problem losing baits nose hooking my worms on the drop shot, I understand it happens but has been horrible this year and I figure a t-rig would do better. And I order online cause I have no good tackle stores around me, hence why I can’t just look. Also usually use 4 1/2 inch worms. 

[TOXIC]

Call me stubborn but I never nose hook my dropshot baits.  I know plenty that do but for me I T-Rig them all.  I use a #1 (Not 1.0) Gamakatsu EWG hook.  Baits of choice are a Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm and a Yamamoto Pro Senko.  The almighty dropshot was the outstanding bait for our annual trip to Lake St Clair this year and I used it to bed fish as well as open water.  

 

 

[Dwbassin]

Just now, TOXIC said:

Call me stubborn but I never nose hook my dropshot baits.  I know plenty that do but for me I T-Rig them all.  I use a #1 (Not 1.0) Gamakatsu EWG hook.  Baits of choice are a Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm and a Yamamoto Pro Senko.  The almighty dropshot was the outstanding bait for our annual trip to Lake St Clair this year and I used it to bed fish as well as open water.  

 

 

I dream of catching some smalljaws of that caliber but I have to travel a longgggg ways. I’m for sure ready for Texas rugged drop shots. The nose hooking I really starting to bother me 

[TOXIC]

1 minute ago, Dwbassin said:

I dream of catching some smalljaws of that caliber but I have to travel a longgggg ways. I’m for sure ready for Texas rugged drop shots. The nose hooking I really starting to bother me 

That trip is a 10 hour drive for me lugging a boat but we have done it for 16 years straight.  Those smallies are the reason why.  And make no mistake in all of those years there has always been a dropshot used to catch some.  Some years it is not the most productive but it always works.  Side note, I have never straightened, broke or bent that Gamakatsu small wire #1 hook even on those hard pulling smallies.  

[Dwbassin]

@TOXIC I have family in Michigan and the closest smallmouth fishery for me is the upper Potomac. I imagine it’s worth it. I use Gamakatsu Aaron marten dropnshots now, they hook well but seem to pull out ALOT, you ever have that problem?

Might have to visit them and accidentally go hunting for smallies 

[TOXIC]

3 minutes ago, Dwbassin said:

@TOXIC I have family in Michigan and the closest smallmouth fishery for me is the upper Potomac. I imagine it’s worth it. I use Gamakatsu Aaron marten dropnshots now, they hook well but seem to pull out ALOT, you ever have that problem?

Might have to visit them and accidentally go hunting for smallies 

Since I am in Virginia, I have fished the upper as well as the susky and Shenandoah.  Because of the current and rocks dropshotting is not my go to.  A Yamamoto Natural Shad grub on a jighead is a killer on those waters.  If you want to dropshot rocky waters a premium dropshot weight should be a consideration.  I use QuickDrop dropshot weights that were developed by a guy who fishes the rocks in the Columbia River in Washington State.  They are top notch.   

[J Francho]

I like the Owner Down Shot Hook for T-Rigging a DS.  I use 1/0, 2/0, and 3/0 hooks, depending on the size of the bait.  It's a light wire hook, so it just takes a wrist flick to set the hook.  Works very well in the conditions you describe.

[Dwbassin]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

I like the Owner Down Shot Hook for T-Rigging a DS.  I use 1/0, 2/0, and 3/0 hooks, depending on the size of the bait.  It's a light wire hook, so it just takes a wrist flick to set the hook.  Works very well in the conditions you describe.

Thanks, I like owner hooks in general wouldn’t hurt to try them.  I never really crank on a hook set with a DS so it would flow naturally

[JustJames]

I use Gamakatsu EWG #2 and roboworm rebarb hook#1. My ideal is light weight hook I can get away with to have plastic fall/move naturally. Picture shown rebarb hook with TRD and compare between the two.

[WRB]

6 hours ago, J Francho said:

I like the Owner Down Shot Hook for T-Rigging a DS.  I use 1/0, 2/0, and 3/0 hooks, depending on the size of the bait.  It's a light wire hook, so it just takes a wrist flick to set the hook.  Works very well in the conditions you describe.

4 1/2-5” Roboworm I use Owner #5133 size 1/0 Down Shot hook with 1/8-1/4 weight on 7 lb Sniper FC.

Tom

Ps , #5133 is getting harder to find, excellent hook and hope Owner continues making it.

[ww2farmer]

Like @TOXIC, I use regular wire Gamakatsu EWG's for Texas rigging drop shot baits. Unless I'm power shotting, then I bump up to super-line versions. Size depends on the bait. #1- 3/0 all have a time and place.