What hooks do you personally use for these t-rigs?

[Nepatizz]

Hello, 

 

The weather has gotten unbearably hot where I'm located and I've been focusing more on bottom fishing with t-rigged worms and soft plastics. I really only use curly tailed worms, finesse worms, and tailed chunky baits such as chigger craws. I know how to match body size to the hook (2/0. 3/0 etc) but what hook types do you use for these soft plastics? I'm having trouble finding what makes the bait look the best on the hook, mostly the correct match-ups such as EWG vs. straight shank vs. wide gap vs. offset - I feel like there are tons of options and they're all used in different applications, but in terms of the function of the bait on the lure and making sure the presentation is clean, as well as getting the correct hookup on a hook set, what hook types work best for those plastics in your opinion?

 

Are the hook suggestions on bags of soft plastics accurate? 

 

Thanks!  

[FishingGeekTX]

Yes, package is a good starting place for size and style.  Size especially I suspect.

Try this:

https://www.bassmaster.com/gear/texas-rig-hook-selection-part-1

Has everything you're looking for I think in the first two pages.

[WRB]

We just had a member inquiring about a "hook guide" search it.

The reason there are hundreds of hooks for bass fishing soft plastics is every angler has a different preference or trying to solve a specific problem. 

Your request differs from others I replied to you want want the rigged soft plastic to look the best. 

OK, can you define what looks best is? 

Tom

[ike8120]

I personally use  a 3/0 or 4/0 EWG worm hook. I use all different brands got some red ones on sale. Color doesn't matter to me.

[Dens228]

3/0 EWG worm hooks here too.  Pretty much all I use for T-rigs, weighted or weightless. 

[Mminin33]

I usually use an offset 3/0 narrow gap hook.

[Mike L]

Minimum 4/0 Gammy ewg or Trokar hooks for all t rigs. 

(I don't think I even own a 3/0)

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

[Catt]

Personally I prefer straight shank round bend hooks over any other style.

 

I only use EWG for Fluke type lure & Senko type lures.

 

Size either a 3/0 or 4/0 ?

[r83srock]

3/0 for tubes and flukes, 4/0 for everything else. Superline Ewg

[scaleface]

I only use EWG's on fat baits , otherwise I use an offset . Size depends on the bait .

[deadadrift89]

Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG is my most used hook for soft plastics

[Catt]

When punching a snelled straight shank round bend hook is required for fast solid hookups & moving big bass outta cover quickly.

 

I want the same thing when casting, pitching, or flipping!

 

[Boomstick]

On 7/13/2019 at 11:25 AM, FishingGeekTX said:

Yes, package is a good starting place for size and style.  Size especially I suspect.

Try this:

https://www.bassmaster.com/gear/texas-rig-hook-selection-part-1

Has everything you're looking for I think in the first two pages.

This is a really comprehensive guide, so I would recommend committing the contents of this to memory.

 

Myself, I use four styles of hooks. For a T-Rig, 90% of the time, I'm using a standard EWG hook. In heavy cover, I usually go to flippin' hooks, which hold the bait in place as it goes though all the thick cover. I may also occasionally use an offset wide bend hook in cover as well, but will usually use these hooks for wacky rigs if I'm not using a jighead. I will carry the above hooks in 2/0, 3/0 and 4/0 sizes. Finally, I use mosquito or drop shot hooks, which I usually carry in 2, 1 and 1/0 1 sizes. I will use size 2 hooks if I am fishing in a lake with only smallies, 1/0 if I'm specifically targeting largemouths and 1's if I have a decent chance at both.

As for brands, Trokars when available are my first choice are they are the sharpest and if I can't get a Trokar I will go for Owners, which seem to be the hardest to bend. Gammys are also solid in both categories and also do fine.

[ww2farmer]

To specifically answer your question on one of the baits you are using...chigger craws...I use a lot of chigger craws.

 

My go to hooks for them are:

 

3" Chigger craw- Berkley Fusion EWG Superline 2/0.

 

4" Chigger craw- Berkley Fusion EWG Superline 4/0.

 

 

 

 

[Mobasser]

On 7/13/2019 at 3:16 PM, Catt said:

Personally I prefer straight shank round bend hooks over any other style.

 

I only use EWG for Fluke type lure & Senko type lures.

 

Size either a 3/0 or 4/0 ?

I've gone back to straight shank worm hooks for a general plastic worm fishing too. I feel.like I hook more fish with them. 

[Bankbeater]

I mostly use 2/0 or 3/0 EWG hooks. 

[Sam]

#1 weedless wacky by VMC for wacky rigged Senkos.

 

#1/0 weedless by VMC for other plastics.

 

Provider Survivor Series jig heads for most plastics on the bottom. They are great!

 

Please keep the Provider information a secret. Thanks.

[Fishes in trees]

different hooks serve different purposes.  For my home made jika rigs, I want a pretty light hook, even though I'm using a half ounce weight (more or less).  The weight kinda anchors the bait to the bottom, when a fish approaches and strikes, I want the hook to swing up with the bait , into the fishes mouth, as easily as possible.  I think that the hooks on the commercially available Tokyo rig are a little heavy.

[thinkingredneck]

I normally use offset round bend whenever they are wide enough.  I like straight shank hooks, however, they snag up more when worm fishing.  I have been a Gamakatsu fan, however, I got some Mustad on sale and am very happy with them.

[MassYak85]

I generally go as small as I can get away with, but for worms I always use straight shanks, and for creature baits it's usually an EWG since they're thicker baits or a flipping hook.

[FishingGeekTX]

On 7/15/2019 at 6:14 AM, Mobasser said:

I've gone back to straight shank worm hooks for a general plastic worm fishing too. I feel.like I hook more fish with them. 

 

I fished all straight shank this weekend, and I hooked all the fish, but one threw the hook on a shake (I had tension and tried to keep him under, but he wasn't having it).  I feel that short, straight gap may have been to blame.

 

Any issues with that?  Seems like it's all trade-offs.  Easier hookset with higher risk of losing it later vs harder hookset vs easier to hold it.  So confused ?

[hawgenvy]

4-0 EWG for me is by far the most versatile hook and can be used with almost all plastics. However, I do prefer 5-0 round bend worm hooks for big worms and snelled straight shank for punching. I get too many gut hooks with 3-0 or smaller. I like Trokar hooks if I'm not using braided line.

[waymont]

On 7/17/2019 at 10:31 PM, hawgenvy said:

I get too many gut hooks with 3-0 or smaller.

Hello @hawgenvy why does the 3/0 hook cause you to get more gut hooks? Wouldn't you set the hook the same time when you feel a bite using a 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 size hook?

[hawgenvy]

 

3 hours ago, waymont said:

Hello @hawgenvy why does the 3/0 hook cause you to get more gut hooks? Wouldn't you set the hook the same time when you feel a bite using a 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 size hook?

Smaller hooks are swallowed more readily. It takes more time, or is otherwise less likely, for a bass to swallow a larger hook.

[Mbirdsley]

Most common hook I use is a 4/0 standard worm offset round bend hook.  For craws ( depending on size )I will go down to a 3/0.  Smaller worms like the swamp crawler z I like 2/0 hooks.  I’ve gotten away from the EWG’s except for Christie critters (4/0)and other creature baits.  I’m not reall loyal to a brand just what ever good hook I can get my hands on around here.  IE berkly fusions, gama, mustad triple grips, Trokar, owners, and etc etc