Best hook for Horny Toad

[born2climb]

I did a search and couldn't find this anywhere in past discussion, so I'll start a new thread. I bought a bag of Zoom Horny Toads a long time ago. Like, probably ten years ago. Tried throwing one a time or two and quickly moved on to something else. A couple of years ago, I got the urge to throw one again, after having intermittent success with Scum Frogs, Booyah Pad Crashers, etc. I didn't care for the action when rigged on the EWG hook I had it on. My fishing partner tossed me a hook with the screw keeper wire on it. He had had them so ling, he can't even remember for sure what brand it is. Anyway, I started catching fish on that Horny Toad. The weight of that hook gives it near neutral buoyancy. If it sits in the water for a few seconds, it will very slowly sink. I have a tendency to prepare for the worst, and I know inevitably that sooner or later, I will lose that hook. I have several other screw-lock worm hooks, but they're all narrower, and while they work great with worms and craws, they aren't deep enough to allow a good hooks with the Horny Toad. I found some Mustad hooks on Amazon that I'm wanting to try. I wondered if anyone here has tried them, and if so, what were the results? Here's the link....

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AUV14/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1&psc=1

 

Next question....do you use super glue with the Horny Toad? I have not thus far, but have been seriously considering it.

[BassinCNY]

I like this one.

[casts_by_fly]

Owner beast 6/0 is my hook of choice for them.  A good second is the eagle claw trokar mag swimbait in a 5/0.

[Catt]

Owner TwistLock Open Gap Centering Pin Hook 4/0

 

 

[Junger]

3/0 Trokar magnum swim bait hook or 4/0 Owner beast. 
 

I usually don’t go weighted because I’m swimming it in heavy cover.

[born2climb]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

Owner TwistLock Open Gap Centering Pin Hook 4/0

 

 

The hook I'm using now doesn't have the centering pin, though I bought some that do. They aren't big enough for the Horny Toad though. 

 

Still no comments on super glue. Anyone use it with Horny Toads?

[woolleyfooley]

Wow. Everything from 3/0 to 6/0 being suggested. Quite a wide range.

 

Anyone ever tried those double hooks that look like hollow body frog hooks?

[Catt]

16 minutes ago, born2climb said:

They aren't big enough for the Horny Toad though. 

 

That hook is plenty big enough for a Horny Toad

 

4 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Anyone ever tried those double hooks that look like hollow body frog hooks?

 

They work fine for a Ribbit but much for a Horny Toad 

[RRocket]

BKK Titan Rider

[Junger]

2 hours ago, born2climb said:

Still no comments on super glue. Anyone use it with Horny Toads?

 

For what purpose, to mend tears in the plastic? I just move the hook a little here and there to sink it into smooth plastic.

[Brian11719]

I think Glenn has a video where he talks about a toad and suggests an ewg with a weight and a screwlock...in my case I've landed on the 4/0 Gamakatsu weighted superline spring lock. Great for toads, swimbaits and flukes and I like the one with the 1/16oz weight as it's just enough weight IMHO. Not sure you would need superglue with setup since most toads are thick enough that the screwlock does a good enough job on its own and it seems like the glue would just get in the way to me...

[Glenn]

Did someone mention a video??? 

 

 

 

 

And the hook is a Gamakatsu Weighted Superline Spring Hook -  https://bit.ly/3rvIFjx

[wdp]

I fish both Horny Toads and Ribbit Frogs a lot. Pretty much got one or the other tied on from Spring to late Fall/early Winter. 

 

2 of my fav hooks have already been mentioned: the Gamakatsu superline spring lock EWG hook & the Owner twist lock hook. I like both in 5/0. I use unweighted. 
 

Another great hook is a double hook called the Double Take made by Ribbit. It has a spring lock too. The 5/0 fits perfectly on the regular sized Ribbit Frog. It works on a Horny Toad too but takes a little “finagling” to get the double hook to sit just right. Hook up with the Double Take is great. I rarely miss a fish. Again, I used the unweighted.

 

I never use super glue. With the spring lock keepers, the baits seem to last longer. 

[born2climb]

16 hours ago, Catt said:

 

That hook is plenty big enough for a Horny Toad

With all due respect....when did you come inspect my hooks? The hooks I bought ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH for the Horny Toad. The throat is not deep enough to allow for a clean hookset. Perhaps you misread my post. I quoted your previous hook recommendation...then stated that I had purchased some hooks with the centering pin but they aren't big enough.

 

By the way, I love your signature line!

[Jaderose]

VMC Drop Dead.  I would suggest 1/8 5/0.  Light enough to easily keep them on top but heavy enough to SLOWLY sink in holes in a lily pad field or scum mat.  All I use when fishing toads.  The weight doesn't pick up debris either.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 2/19/2025 at 11:49 PM, wdp said:

Another great hook is a double hook called the Double Take made by Ribbit.

Thats what i use