Bigger Smallmouth, bigger hook?

[Dingaling man]

Hey guys,

 

I've been out on Lake Ontario drop shotting smallies.

My question is, when targeting larger smallmouth bass 5lbs ++  would a bigger 2/0 drop shot hook help with hook sets? and pinning the smallies better vs a Gamakatsu #1 drop shot hook?

 

Those bigger browns are build soild. 

 

Thanks 

[Junk Fisherman]

My first reaction to this was “no” a #1 Gammy is fine.  That is what I use and have no issues at all.  But then I recalled watching a BassU video about Great Lakes smallies and a pro talked about changing his dropshot hook for 5-6 lb smallies.  Wish I remembered the details.  I remembered that I wasn’t going to run out and buy them (BassU pushes a lot of products) but I definitely remember him mentioning it.  I’ve caught enough big bass on small hooks to not be that concerned but I am curious what you find out.

[Dingaling man]

29 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

My first reaction to this was “no” a #1 Gammy is fine.  That is what I use and have no issues at all.  But then I recalled watching a BassU video about Great Lakes smallies and a pro talked about changing his dropshot hook for 5-6 lb smallies.  Wish I remembered the details.  I remembered that I wasn’t going to run out and buy them (BassU pushes a lot of products) but I definitely remember him mentioning it.  I’ve caught enough big bass on small hooks to not be that concerned but I am curious what you find out.

These smallies have big old heads with hard bone and grow big. Fighting them is fun but ive see videos of pros that will beef up there rods for big smallies. 

[FryDog62]

The only way I go bigger is the hook shank - as in using a Neko hook. Slightly longer but highly effective keeping those freight trains  buttoned...

[Sphynx]

To me it would depend entirely on the environment your fishing in, is this an open water scenario? If so, then no, light line, lighter rod, light hook with a properly sharp point, properly set drag and your fish is very likely coming to hand, if your talking about a fishing environment where you need to control the head? Dock pilings, brush piles, stumps etc, probably upsizing my gear so I can not bend out hooks trying to get him out of the junk, basically I go as light as I think I can get away with, and let the environment I am fishing in dictate changes for heavier stuff.

[A-Jay]

My brown bass rigs all revolve around being balanced / matched set up; including drop shot rigs, regardless of fish size.  We can start at either end.

Rod, reel, line and terminal tackle, and in this case, bait, hook and weight.

Or we can start by matching the hook size to the bait, ensuring sufficient hook gap exposure for easy deep penetration, and then match weight for depth & conditions, as well as the line type & size on the reel & rod. 

Either way, we end up with the same deal.

So this may be one of the rare occasions where Size Doesn't matter.

Fish Hard

A-Jay

[NHBull]

Always hard posting after A-Jay since there is seldom much to add.

 

......for me its easy.  I have a couple set-ups based on depth and bait.

 

My hook of choice for most is the VMC finesse Neko, but my so called bubba shot is thrown on a BC with 2/0 owner rebound bend, weedless TRIG.

 

If I had to choose one it would be a size 1 vmc

 

My biggest SM is just under 5 lbs

[roadwarrior]

Smaller hook:  #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook

 

[Tatsu Dave]

6 hours ago, Sphynx said:

Dock pilings, brush piles, stumps etc, probably upsizing my gear so I can not bend out hooks trying to get him out of the junk, basically I go as light as I think I can get away with, and let the environment I am fishing in dictate changes for heavier stuff.

I like 2/0 owner hooks but they can bend.  

[TnRiver46]

Excellent problem to face 

[Sphynx]

2 hours ago, Tatsu Dave said:

I like 2/0 owner hooks but they can bend.  

Any hook CAN bend, I am just saying that when properly paired with a rod/line/drag designed to handle a #2 hook, vs. a 2/0, you can be much more aggressive with the 2/0 than the #2, not at all trying to say you can't bend out a 2/0 hook lol.

[cyclops2]

Buy saltwater hooks. They come uncutable & unbendable and rust proof.   Or they did 40 years ago.

[J Francho]

My personal best smallmouth was caught using a #6 hook.  Match the hook size to the plastic you're using.  

[cyclops2]

Just caught & released a nice bass with a single # 6 hook on a 4" perch pattern Rapala. So nice to unhook in a net & release.  The lure is almost totally weedless.

 

The lure hook has a crushed down barb.  The bass can & does unhook itself most times by the time i put the net on the floor. 

Since the water has cleared up almost totally. The  bass & other fish are all being lip hooked. Some can toss the lure if I let the line go slack long enough.  2 bass complained their arms are too short to do it by themselves.

[Tatsu Dave]

4 hours ago, Sphynx said:

Any hook CAN bend, I am just saying that when properly paired with a rod/line/drag designed to handle a #2 hook, vs. a 2/0, you can be much more aggressive with the 2/0 than the #2, not at all trying to say you can't bend out a 2/0 hook lol.

Wire hooks bend a lot easier, I usually use mustad 3/0 EWG BLN hooks, they are impossible for me to bend....the line would break first. I'm just saying where I fish and the size lures I use 5"-8" 1/0 and 2/0 are a little small for my taste. When I hook one 3lbs and up and they head for the wood I want to be able to turn that head and stop them. I agree with you.....

[cyclops2]

The industry standard 2X  and 4X   stiffer rated  saltwater hooks NEVER BEND !!

Do a web search of............... saltwater hooks.........  They are still available.

[Bdnoble84]

If your setup is matched, regardless of hooksize, your hook should not bend. I think when people bend hooks on fish, it has more to do with approp setup than hook strength. What is the point of using a gaff if it wont get bit.

[Sphynx]

1 hour ago, Bdnoble84 said:

If your setup is matched, regardless of hooksize, your hook should not bend. I think when people bend hooks on fish, it has more to do with approp setup than hook strength. What is the point of using a gaff if it wont get bit.

This is more or less what I am getting at, I landed about a 2lb pike on a 18 sized prince nymph on 6x tippet, it was maybe the most epic battle I ever had with a pike, took like 20min, and he missed a chance to water ski by not biting the conventional stuff I was tossing the evening before, but if you properly pair your gear, you might get dragged into the wood, or the rocks, or a brush pile, but you shouldn't be bending out hooks, if you are, your fishing to stout of a rod, too stout a line, too stout a drag, or some combination of those.

[cyclops2]

I watch some of the T V  60 # test line guys set the hook so hard a 8 pound fish pops out of the water and flies right by the referee.  DUUUHHH   CHEAP frigging hook company !!

 

I gotta set the hooks like a pro more often.