Ole Monster help!

[Rev Ron]

Issue.  Losing fish I didn't use to.  Set up.  803 or 783 IMX JWR.  16 lbs. FC Sniper.  5/O straight shank finesse Trokar hook. 60% 3/16, 30% 1/8, 10% 1/4 ounce tungsten flipping style weight.  Grass with some wood.  Son said go to a longer heavy action rod.  Used the 844.  Lost feel for the bait in the grass that I am use to and didn't generate the bites I felt I should have.  Did improve my hook up success a little.  A peer said Ron we're getting old!  Switch to braid with a flouro leader.  I am a little paranoid about two knots instead of one.  Haven't tried it.  My question.  Please comment on anything I have mentioned.  I am tired of this!  63 now and the last couple years, especially this year, I am just not executing this set up like in the past and it has cost me money.  It always served me well before.  Thanks!  Ron

[WRB]

Describe your hook setting technique.

Your tackle isn’t the problem. Are the bass coming off after hooking them?

Tom

 

[VolFan]

What he said. When are they coming off? My experience with Trokars was that they were too sharp and can cut a hole that the hook can then fall out. 

[thediscochef]

I would lose the cutting point hooks, they slice enough to let a barb come loose. I've come to prefer the round bend 5/0 from gamakatsu for the ol monster and 10" power worms. Better hookup percentage for me versus an ewg, also seems to get hung less but that's anecdotal 

[Rev Ron]

Same as always.  Reel down and bust them, lift and hip turn.  I don't bend the knees and back like I'm trying jerk the bottom of the lake up but hit them pretty good, or at least I think so.  Son says I am not as quick with it as I once was.  Whole hook set has slowed down hence his opinion linger stiffer action rod.

They are coming off after I have moved them some up until I get them in the boat.  That is what is so frustrating.  I get them miving.

5/0 regular round bend straight shank gamakatsu correct?

[Catt]

 Mustad Tactical Bass Tak-Offset Worm Hooks

 

If ya gotta go to braid, go straight braid. 

 

[F14A-B]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

 Mustad Tactical Bass Tak-Offset Worm Hooks

 

If ya gotta go to braid, go straight braid. 

 

I've never seen these before, how you like them and why did you start using them? 

[BigAngus752]

I'm jumping on the offset worm hook bandwagon.  I fish Ol Monsters with 5/0s when I'm setting up for them specifically but I never change from a 4/0 if that's what on there and I have zero problem keeping them pinned.  I'm a braid guy but I have to say if you can't keep them on with flouro I think braid is going to make it even worse.  I'd try a more parabolic rod if they are jumping off a few seconds after a good hookset.  

[thediscochef]

5 hours ago, Rev Ron said:

Same as always.  Reel down and bust them, lift and hip turn.  I don't bend the knees and back like I'm trying jerk the bottom of the lake up but hit them pretty good, or at least I think so.  Son says I am not as quick with it as I once was.  Whole hook set has slowed down hence his opinion linger stiffer action rod.

They are coming off after I have moved them some up until I get them in the boat.  That is what is so frustrating.  I get them miving.

5/0 regular round bend straight shank gamakatsu correct?

I use the offset personally

[WRB]

The Tokar straight shank finesse worm hook doesn’t have barbs to hold the soft plastic. IMO you need to peg* the worm head to the hook eye to prevent the worm sliding down the hook shank.

Hope you are skin hooking the worm body in lieu of center hook hooking a big worm.

Try those 2 changes and you should be ok.

Tom

* I use rubber Peg-It thru the hook eye after tying, pull snug and cut off ends with 1/8” sticking out. When weedless hook the soft plastic pul te head just past the hook eye, the rubber hold the worm head from sliding. The old wooden tooth pick or Heavy mono line works.

[RRocket]

I have to be a bit more delicate with hooksets since I fish UL/L gear...which perhaps in some ways is similar to you slowing down with your hookset speed. I also use fat baits. So I'm always trying new hooks to see what works best with my fat poop baits and fishing style.

 

Recently tried Spearpoint Hooks and shockingly they appear to work as advertised in that once they are hooked and into the "crook" they don't come off. I also note I need forceps most times to help unhook. 

 

They have a straight shank, a flipping, offset worm and EWG so I think you could find something to try.

[FishTank]

A big ribbon tail worm is one of my favorite baits this time of year but it can be tough. All fish species seem to hone in on small baits. It is not uncommon for big blue gill and crappie to nail those big baits because of the tail, especially in stained water.  

 

My fishing buddy always has a Berkley Power Worm tied on in various sizes. He misses fish constantly this time of year. I have seen it season after season and he will not switch up. When this starts for me, I go to a small crankbait or a wacky rigged senko. 

[Catt]

4 hours ago, alonerankin2 said:

I've never seen these before, how you like them and why did you start using them? 

 

For plastics the diameter of an Ole Monster & larger I perfer a offset round bend over straight shanks. I know straight shanks work fine with punch baits but most punch baits are short. With longer worms the offset puts the hook point farther back. With the Tak-offset I can Texpose.

 

Why did I start using it?

Yamamoto 10” Ichi Worm

 

[Glenn]

Yep, straight shanks on thick worms...nope.  I wouldn't do it.  Try a 3/0 EWG. You might be surprised.

 

 

[Mike L]

As was said there is nothing wrong with your setup 

Certainly not the way your hook point is made or using flouro main line. 

And using a leader will not help what your describing especially working an oversized plastic though the grass. 
 

The difference you found by switching rods is telling 
 

I also don’t like a straight shank on fat worms. 
I’ve had my greatest success with an Ol Monster and an Anaconda by using a Trokar TK110 or TK120 EWG depending on how thick the grass is. 

(I use the TK120 only if conditions warrant heavy braid)
 

If you feel your plastic is slipping doing what @WRB suggests is the way to go. 
In those instances I just use a Trokar TK125 with the hook keeper molded in with 20# Sniper or Shooter 
 

 

 

Mike

 

[Zcoker]

I rarely loose a bass on Ol Monster 12 inch worms. Big worms. Big hooks. 6/0 EWG offset or 7/0. Weightless. Strait braid 50# on a 7-3 med/heavy extra fast rod. Don’t read too much into your age and body mechanics, just fish and let the hardware do the work. I also recommend flattening the barb when worm fishing. Easy out. This worm setup has seen 100 fish days easily, so something must be working! 

[T-Billy]

5 or 6 power rod, straight 50# 832, snelled straight shank flippin hooks. 

[rgasr63]

The Mustad Tac offset hook is very good. The design is close to Steve Parks Heavy Hammer hook produced by Game changer lures. It is superior in the fact that it was designed to expose the hook point and gap faster than a round bend hook. Mustad also makes this hook in a ewg style also. I have been using the Ewg style for the 4 inch Pit Boss and it has worked very well. Better than the Trokar hooks by a long shot. You may have to work on the sizing a little. These hooks appear to be just a little longer than a stock ewg. IMHO 

 

[Big Swimbait]

19 hours ago, RRocket said:

I have to be a bit more delicate with hooksets since I fish UL/L gear...which perhaps in some ways is similar to you slowing down with your hookset speed. I also use fat baits. So I'm always trying new hooks to see what works best with my fat poop baits and fishing style.

 

Recently tried Spearpoint Hooks and shockingly they appear to work as advertised in that once they are hooked and into the "crook" they don't come off. I also note I need forceps most times to help unhook. 

 

They have a straight shank, a flipping, offset worm and EWG so I think you could find something to try.

This^^^ That Spearpoint hook is the real deal. I first tried their drop shot hooks with great success. So I gave the other hooks they offer a shot and have not been disappointed.

[thediscochef]

22 hours ago, WRB said:

The Tokar straight shank finesse worm hook doesn’t have barbs to hold the soft plastic. IMO you need to peg* the worm head to the hook eye to prevent the worm sliding down the hook shank.

Hope you are skin hooking the worm body in lieu of center hook hooking a big worm.

Try those 2 changes and you should be ok.

Tom

* I use rubber Peg-It thru the hook eye after tying, pull snug and cut off ends with 1/8” sticking out. When weedless hook the soft plastic pul te head just past the hook eye, the rubber hold the worm head from sliding. The old wooden tooth pick or Heavy mono line works.

Game changer. Thank you sir 

[RRocket]

7 hours ago, Big Swimbait said:

This^^^ That Spearpoint hook is the real deal. 

Yea, was surprised that they worked as advertised and work as well as they do. I feel bass fisherman are promised lots from gear manufacturers that rarely  come through. Not the case here.

 

Are you using the GP Finesse hook for Dropshot?  What size? 

 

I might try them for Dropshot...but I already use an "alternative" shaped dropshot hook that's been quite fantastic.

[Rev Ron]

Thanks to everyone.  I have some hooks to buy.  Easiest thing to adjust first.  

[RRocket]

4 hours ago, Rev Ron said:

Thanks to everyone.  I have some hooks to buy.  Easiest thing to adjust first.  

Can you keep us posted on your experience?