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  • Super User
Posted

First hook:

 

rs.php?path=JUGH-1.jpg&nw=150

 

Second hook:

 

rs.php?path=6SSW-1.jpg&nw=150

  • Like 1
Posted

I use the "second hook" almost exclusively for soft plastics, so probably not ?

 

Mechanically, the first hook's point is off axis from the hook eye, which could increase hook-up ratio? I just prefer the ease of texposing with EWGs.

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  • Super User
Posted

First hook is the “original” Carolina rig hook, before the advent of big, bulky “creature” plastics. It was commonly used with thinner lizards like the Zoom 6” standard lizard. The bend in the hook helped keep the head of the bait in position without barbs like found on straight shank hooks, and you didn’t need to worry about a sinker banging the head of the bait or the knot. It is also a stronger design than an EWG (2nd hook). Still has its fans and followers, though not nearly as popular or used as it once was.

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  • Super User
Posted

I use the first hook because Bill Dance used it on a show in 1975 . Tried the second one but prefer #1 on worms.  #2 on fat baits when needed.

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Posted

First hook would be better suited to thinner baits (worms) where there isn't too much body to "clear" for a hookset.

 

Second one is wider gap for thicker body baits like beavers, creatures, frogs. Wider gap allows bait to be pushed down to clear to expose hook tip.

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted

Thanks, guys. I've used them willy-nilly, not understanding their purposes. I just bought my first Zoom Trick worms, both regular and magnum, and rigged with the old style, straight shank hooks, although I've used the EWGs for most of my soft plastics, but not understanding why. Fishing is complicated. There is so much to learn.

 

So, I'll use the EWGs for thicker plastics and the classic hook for thin worms. Got it!

  • Like 5
Posted

I pretty much use them interchangeably. I keep a few of each in 3/0, and whatever I grab out of that compartment will do what I need it to do. If I'm fishing water with a lot of snot in it, I might look for an offset round-bend specifically to minimize the keel that the hook shank creates, in the hopes that I'd drag back fewer boogers, but that's about it.

 

About the only way I fish with them hooks is unweighted worms or the like.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Posted
1 minute ago, ol'crickety said:

Thanks, guys. I've used them willy-nilly, not understanding their purposes. I just bought my first Zoom Trick worms, both regular and magnum, and rigged with the old style, straight shank hooks, although I've used the EWGs for most of my soft plastics, but not understanding why. Fishing is complicated. There is so much to learn.

 

So, I'll use the EWGs for thicker plastics and the classic hook for thin worms. Got it!

There is no hard and fast rule, however. There's no reason why you can't use hook #2 for all.

 

And many people do.

  • Thanks 2
  • Super User
Posted

The first hook is an offset round bend worm hook. The second hook is an offset EWG worm hook. EWG hooks are designed for thick baits where other hook options, such as the offset round bend, do not have enough gap to accomodate the thicker plastic + leave enough room for the hook to penetrate the fish’s mouth. As a general rule of thumb, you want the hook gap to be about twice the thickness of the plastic you are using. 
 

In general, the offset round bend worm hook, when it is practical to use, is going to have a higher hookup ratio. Why is this? The hook point is actually offset from the line tie, whereas on the EWG hook (most models), the hook point is in line with the line tie. Having the hook point offset from the line tie is preferable because when you pull the hook out from inside a fish’s mouth, the hook point has a small distance from above the line tie that it can hook a fish better while the line tie is coming out of the fish’s mouth as you set hook. There is more room for the hook to penetrate. 

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  • Super User
Posted

All good info above.  I tend to use EWG and creature/craws more than worms.  In fact I just had to order a bunch of round bends because I was out of them pretty much.  Two practical points of info (one mentioned, one not)- a round bend doesn't pick up as much grass bringing it through the slop.  A lot of times an EWG will hold onto strands of grass on the retrieve when a round bend will slip right through.  A straight shank (which I use a lot of also) slips through pretty clean also.  It all depends on the bait and how you've rigged it up.  Separately, I think Toxic mentioned it on another thread about guiding clients in the past, but an EWG in a slightly larger size is harder for a bass to swallow quickly.  Moving from a 3/0 RB to a 4/0 EWG makes a much larger hook to catch inside the mouth without being swallowed.  I don't have enough time fishing both to confirm it, but it makes intuitive sense.  

  • Thanks 2
Posted

D. None of the above

 

Straight shank. I like the point of the hook angle better than those two. But out of those two, the first one

  • Like 1
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  • Super User
Posted

You guys are excellent at explaining. Thanks to all of you! I am so excited to try my new Zoom Trick worms with the offset round bend worm hooks.

  • Like 1
Posted

Ive gone exclusively to flipping hooks no matter what. Different sizes but straight shank flipping on everything with a snell. No need to over think on my part

  • Like 2
Posted

I use that top one a LOT more than the bottom one.

 

I like thinner worms and flatter beavers so it just works a lot better most times.

 

I still use an EWG with a fluke or a buzz toad or weightless stick bait to help keel it a little bit and give it a tiny bit more castability.  

 

The tip of the hook on the offset worm hook is pointing up and out when rigged with plastic.  The ewg is pointing at the eyelet.  I find my hook to land ratio much much better with a offset round bend style hook like hook #1 but that offset bend is handy for rigging plastics etc.

 

They make EWG hooks where the point is angled up and out a bit and also EWG hooks where the point is not in line with the eyelet increasing the bite gap.  Haven't felt the need to mess with them since switching to the old worm hook.

  • Thanks 1
Posted

I think you're going to like those trick worms @ol'crickety. They dart & dance through the water so nicely. I use both kinds of hooks, but I prefer the offset round bend for trick worms. I prefer the EWGs for thicker plastic lures. Good luck!

 

No surprise that @Glenn has a good video about trick worms that you might enjoy.

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/trick-worm-floating-worm.html

  • Thanks 1
  • Super User
Posted

I use the first one on my Carolina rigs because I have a few dozen left over from the 1970s.  ?

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  • Super User
Posted

For me there are some differences that have been mentioned. When first introduced, offset ewg hooks promoted better hookups due to the fish being able to bite down further between the bait and the shank, exposing more of the hook.  As has been said, when guiding newbies, the extra gap made a gut hook less probable and made earlier contact with the fishes mouth.  The Senko was originally recommended to be fished on a 3.0 offset ewg but I had all of my clients throwing a 4.0 for even earlier strike detection and less gut hooking. You will also notice the hook point is angled more down on the ewg which makes skin hooking much easier. 

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  • Super User
Posted

The point of the first hook extends above the line with the eye.  So when you pull the line tight to set the hook, it pivots upwards, into the fish's mouth.  Thus it has a higher hookup percentage.  

 

The point of the second hook is more inline with the eye.  So when you pull the line tight to set the hook, it doesn't pivot upwards.  Thus it has a lower hookup percentage.  But what you gain in exchange for that is a hook that pulls more cleanly through vegetation and wood, as it's not prone to pivoting as much and swinging into things.  Also, it's wider, so you can put larger soft plastics on it.  

 

I tend to prefer the EWG or second hook for thicker vegetation, especially when fishing in hard stuff like water willows or reeds.  And I prefer the offset or first hook anytime I can get away with one, just because I'm more likely to get a good hookset with it.  And of course, the thickness of the soft plastic also plays a role.  

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  • Super User
Posted

If it’s a worm bait, like a senko type, the first one and preferably without the offset. I would use the ewg if I don’t have the first style. 
 

I don’t mind using ewgs for creature baits. My childlike imagination likes them to be the bottom thing you see under some boats. ??

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  • Super User
Posted

I have been using Yum Dingers predominately and use this hook . I add a bobber stop to prevent the worm from balling up on the shank . It has worked 100 percent. Yes, I know a pack of hooks can be ordered that comes equipped with a keeper, I  just refuse to order a pack of hooks. A thin wire hook with the worm staying in place allows me a very high hook-up percentage. Even in heavy brush. I'm not catching ten lbers so the hook is adequate.

IMG_7279k3.jpg

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Posted

I use both depending on application. I've found that the standard gap offset hooks do not grab as much moss or grass when fished through thick stuff. I use a 4/0 for senkos and haven't had any issues. I have used as small as 1/0 for ZOOM lizards in a pinch without any issue, but I prefer 3/0 or 4/0.

 

I generally only use EWG hooks with thicker plastics, or if I want a bit of keel for some reason. I also will use one just to experiment if I am not in need of the more weedless features of a standard gap hook.

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  • Super User
Posted

All the above explains it well. Just remember to lay your plastic next to each hook then choose which to use based on the distance between each hook point & the shank of the hook. One will be easier to skin hook than the other. I like the hook point to be parallel with the bait rather than point in towards the middle of the bait. The same comparison helps you to choose what size hook to use. Each step up gives you more hook gap. 

@scaleface I like your idea of using the bobber stop to keep the bait from balling up. 

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  • Super User
Posted
6 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 I like your idea of using the bobber stop to keep the bait from balling up. 

I got that from a youtube video . The crappie bobber stops from Dept stores  dont work . I got these from Amazon , super inexpensive, free shipping.

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