What size/gauge hooks do you recommend for 2.75” paddle tails on an A Rig?

[Ohioguy25]

I currently have them on cheap 1/8 oz jigheads but it has come to my attention that these hooks are far too weak to throw on a swimbait setup (7’8” IRod swimbait jr w 20 lb big game) and will bend out. 
 

Should I switch all of my paddle tails over to these stronger hooks even when throwing them individually on a medium fast spinning rod with 8 lb test or only on the umbrella? I haven’t lost many fish but they do bend out on a snag.

[Jig Man]

I use the Gamakatsu #114 in 2/0 and 3/0 for that size swim bait. 

[softwateronly]

Look for 2/0 2X hooks  if you are worried about your rig’s power. Picasso ball head comes to mind. 
 

scott

[softwateronly]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Tungsten_Ball_Jig_Heads/descpage-PTBJH.html

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Jig_Head_Gamakatsu_2X_5pk/descpage-PFH2X.html

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Plus_Jig_Head_3X_Mustad/descpage-PSMP3XM.html

[Peacedivision]

I use the 1/8oz 1/0 guppy head on the micro rig with 2.75 baits. Never had any issues bending but I'm also using a normal mh/f rod and 12lb hybrid.

[Ohioguy25]

On 11/2/2024 at 4:22 PM, Jig Man said:

I use the Gamakatsu #114 in 2/0 and 3/0 for that size swim bait. 

No weight?

[Jig Man]

11 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

No weight?

You seemed to be referencing hooks so I only mentioned them.  I can put any weight that I want from 1/16 to 1/2 depending on which mold cavity I use.

[Ohioguy25]

2 hours ago, Jig Man said:

You seemed to be referencing hooks so I only mentioned them.  I can put any weight that I want from 1/16 to 1/2 depending on which mold cavity I use.

If I don’t have molds/lead what jigheads?

[Jig Man]

You might look at Dirty Jigs guppy head.  I’ve used them some.

[Ohioguy25]

On 11/2/2024 at 4:22 PM, Jig Man said:

I use the Gamakatsu #114 in 2/0 and 3/0 for that size swim bait. 

 

On 11/2/2024 at 7:39 PM, softwateronly said:

Look for 2/0 2X hooks  if you are worried about your rig’s power. Picasso ball head comes to mind. 
 

scott

 

On 11/2/2024 at 7:54 PM, softwateronly said:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Tungsten_Ball_Jig_Heads/descpage-PTBJH.html

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Jig_Head_Gamakatsu_2X_5pk/descpage-PFH2X.html

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Plus_Jig_Head_3X_Mustad/descpage-PSMP3XM.html

 

20 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

I use the 1/8oz 1/0 guppy head on the micro rig with 2.75 baits. Never had any issues bending but I'm also using a normal mh/f rod and 12lb hybrid.

How do these Berkley Fusions compare to the Gammies, are they risky on heavy tackle for breaking/bending out?

 

https://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Fusion19-Swimbait-Fishing-Jigheads/dp/B07XYR6D8K/ref=mp_s_a_1_11

[Peacedivision]

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

How do these Berkley Fusions compare to the Gammies, are they risky on heavy tackle for breaking/bending out?

I've never tried the Berkley heads but I'm sure they're solid. Really if you're bending out hooks I think you're just fishing with too much rod and line for the rig you're throwing. That irod+20lb big game is suited to a full size A rig with 5" mains on heavier wire heads & 3" teaser baits. Micro rig with 2.75s on finesse heads calls for a lighter rod and line combo. If you want to stick with the swimbait rod I would check out the 3x Picasso heads @softwateronly posted.

[Ohioguy25]

10 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

I've never tried the Berkley heads but I'm sure they're solid. Really if you're bending out hooks I think you're just fishing with too much rod and line for the rig you're throwing. That irod+20lb big game is suited to a full size A rig with 5" mains on heavier wire heads & 3" teaser baits. Micro rig with 2.75s on finesse heads calls for a lighter rod and line combo. If you want to stick with the swimbait rod I would check out the 3x Picasso heads @softwateronly posted.

This is the umbrella I’ve got:

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/6th_Sense_Divine_5-Wire_4-Blade_Umbrella_Rig/descpage-6SD5W.html

 

Is my setup still overpowered even if I bump the paddle tails up to 3.25?

[Peacedivision]

The rig its self doesn't really need to be matched to a particular rod, it's more about the size of the baits and heads you're using. I haven't fished that 6th sense rig but I would consider the 5.5" version to be a "mini" rig and the 6.5" a full size.

Mini rig is just about perfect for 3.8" main baits, full size works really well with 4.8" main. Your rod/line is fine for either I would just go with a stouter hook/head like the dirty jigs Matt Allen.

Something like the TB micro flex or Picasso finesse bait ball with a lighter gauge ~4" wire is great for the smaller finesse setup with 2.8" baits but when you downsize the rig/heads like that the irod swimbait is going to be overkill, just throw it on your usual mh/f caster.

TB micro rig with dirty jigs guppy heads, all 2.8" baits usually throw this on a Lews speed stick 73MHF on 12lb yo zuri hybrid. Also in desperate need of some fresh swimbaits.

Hog Farmer 5 wire 4 blade mini rig 3.8" main 2.8" teaser on 1/8oz Matt Allen heads. I throw this rig usually on an Expride 76MH or 77H braid to leader.

If they're really willing to munch I'll throw the big rig. TB flex rig 4.75" main 3.5" teasers still on Matt Allen heads but upsized to 1/4oz to get down a little deeper. This one would be perfect on that irod. This gets thrown on a Dobyns Champ XP 704.5AR also braid to leader.

[Ohioguy25]

3 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

 

The rig its self doesn't really need to be matched to a particular rod, it's more about the size of the baits and heads you're using. I haven't fished that 6th sense rig but I would consider the 5.5" version to be a "mini" rig and the 6.5" a full size.

Mini rig is just about perfect for 3.8" main baits, full size works really well with 4.8" main. Your rod/line is fine for either I would just go with a stouter hook/head like the dirty jigs Matt Allen.

Something like the TB micro flex or Picasso finesse bait ball with a lighter gauge ~4" wire is great for the smaller finesse setup with 2.8" baits but when you downsize the rig/heads like that the irod swimbait is going to be overkill, just throw it on your usual mh/f caster.

TB micro rig with dirty jigs guppy heads, all 2.8" baits usually throw this on a Lews speed stick 73MHF on 12lb yo zuri hybrid. Also in desperate need of some fresh swimbaits.

Hog Farmer 5 wire 4 blade mini rig 3.8" main 2.8" teaser on 1/8oz Matt Allen heads. I throw this rig usually on an Expride 76MH or 77H braid to leader.

If they're really willing to munch I'll throw the big rig. TB flex rig 4.75" main 3.5" teasers still on Matt Allen heads but upsized to 1/4oz to get down a little deeper. This one would be perfect on that irod. This gets thrown on a Dobyns Champ XP 704.5AR also braid to leader.

How exactly is the IRod overkill for 1/8-3/16 jigs and 2.75” baits, isn’t the overall weight of the presentation still enormous? It’s gotta be well over 2 ounces and heavier than any swimbait I throw.

[Peacedivision]

3 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

How exactly is the IRod overkill for 1/8-3/16 jigs and 2.75” baits, isn’t the overall weight of the presentation still enormous? It’s gotta be well over 2 ounces and heavier than any swimbait I throw.

The overall package doesn't really matter, you're still setting the hook on a single finesse jig head and swimbait.

[Ohioguy25]

16 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

The overall package doesn't really matter, you're still setting the hook on a single finesse jig head and swimbait.

Ah yes good point, so will this cause me to lose fish or miss bites?

[Peacedivision]

19 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Ah yes good point, so will this cause me to lose fish or miss bites?

doubt it would cause you to miss bites, a-rig hits aren't subtle. losing fish is possible if you're yanking on them hard enough to bend a hook.

[Ohioguy25]

52 minutes ago, Peacedivision said:

doubt it would cause you to miss bites, a-rig hits aren't subtle. losing fish is possible if you're yanking on them hard enough to bend a hook.

Well see I’m trying to ensure that doesn’t happen by buying gammy or 2-3x mustads. 
 

You think these Picasso heads would be as sturdy or reliable as Gamakatsu 26s?

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Plus_Jig_Head_3X_Mustad/descpage-PSMP3XM.html

[Peacedivision]

11 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Well see I’m trying to ensure that doesn’t happen by buying gammy or 2-3x mustads. 
 

You think these Picasso heads would be as sturdy or reliable as Gamakatsu 26s?

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Plus_Jig_Head_3X_Mustad/descpage-PSMP3XM.html

Don't see why they wouldn't be, it's a stout hook. I may give the 1/4oz 4/0 a go on my big rig at some point. I would just wonder if their 2/0 is too big for a 2.75" bait. Every manufacturers size is different but they fit perfect on a 1/0 guppy.

[WRB]

Picssso min micro w/ Gamakatsu 2/0 2X hook for 2.8 Kietech rig jig

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Picssso min micro w/ Gamakatsu 2/0 2X hook for 2.8 Kietech rig jig

Tom

I saw those but they don’t have the front line tie, what about the Smart Mouths with the Mustad 3X would those be equally good? These have the 40 degree offset line tie:
 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Plus_Jig_Head_3X_Mustad/descpage-PSMP3XM.html

[WRB]

You don’t need a jig with nose hook eye using A-rig clips. You just need a 2/0 short hook.

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

23 minutes ago, WRB said:

You don’t need a jig with nose hook eye using A-rig clips. You just need a 2/0 short hook.

Tom

Why does everyone say that’s preferable for A Rigs?

[WRB]

look at the photos posted by Peacedivision.

Tom

[Peacedivision]

25 minutes ago, WRB said:

look at the photos posted by Peace division

Tom

Yep guppy has a set back line tie. no issues.