According to Ish...

[dave]

I attended a few seminars at the Maryland Fishing Expo this past weekend. Ish Monroe told us that according to studies done, the best hooking percentage when fishing plastics, come with using a straight shank hook. Second was the offset, round bend. Worst hooking percentage was with EWG offset hooks.

[flippin and pitchin]

What studies ?  I would like to know what percentage of you guys use an EWG style hook over a straight shank ?  How's your hook up ratio to real strikes ?  Now that might be a study if we get a good number of responses.

Just a thought. 

[dave]

I would guess that of the study comes from information gained and studied while on tour on many different circuits. I hear they do quite a bit of fishing. :

[topwater.va]

I watched something about this one time.  If you think about it it makes sense, because is a straight shank hook and an offset hook the hook point is not in line with the eye.  And if you look at your EWG hooks the eye and the hook point are in line.

With all of that said I will still you EWG because I dont really think it makes that much of a difference, and I dont see myself changing anytime soon... 

[Wayne P.]

He learned his lesson a couple years ago at Amistad when he kept missing some big bass with that big tube and EWG hooks. It's only a common sense observation of hook design to form that opinion.

If I need the EWG style hook for fat baits, I open the bend to expose the point. "It ain't rocket science"

[David P]

It's very true, and he's not the only pro who says this. A straight shank hook there is no eye in the way of the hook point.

[angler1]

What studies ? I would like to know what percentage of you guys use an EWG style hook over a straight shank ? How's your hook up ratio to real strikes ? Now that might be a study if we get a good number of responses.

Just a thought.

I always use an EWG unless rigging wackey. I do belive that my hookup % is less than 95% if not higher. I can't remember the last time one got away.

[Al Wolbach]

I  always use EWG hook.............Al

[rubba bubba]

If I need the EWG style hook for fat baits, I open the bend to expose the point.

Both the results from the studies and the fact people are bending their EWG hooks to address this issue just amazes me that manufacturers have yet to catch on and provide EWG hooks with this. The first one that does is going to get swamped with orders.

[Wayne P.]

rubba bubba, there are some close to EWG style that have the hook point parallel with the eye offset. I got several of those models but can't remember which they are. I'll dig into my hook stock some time and post what they are.

[Rangerjoe]

I changed to the straight shank hook last year, and my hook up ratio is better. I still use the EWG on tubes and sweet beavers, but all the rest are rigged with the straight shank.

[J Francho]

Here's another perspective, written by a friend: http://www.burniehaney.com/News.html.  I've used both the Gam. Octopus Hooks, and Owner SSW with great success.

[dave]

Here's another perspective, written by a friend: http://www.burniehaney.com/News.html. I've used both the Gam. Octopus Hooks, and Owner SSW with great success.

The link is not working for me. I think I remember reading it. It is interesting.

[Steve1357]

So you should be using TruTurn worm hooks after all...

Interesting.

I'll keep using my EagleClaw L095s....

[bigtimfish]

As much as I admire Ish and his skills, I will stick with my Gamakatsu EWG's and G locks. When they bite, they are getting hooked. Period.

[bilgerat]

So you should be using TruTurn worm hooks after all...

Interesting.

I'll keep using my EagleClaw L095s....

RW and I had a heated discussion a while back about Tru Turns. I like 'em, he doesn't. I'll be the first to admit that they're made of cheap crap, but man do I stick fish with them. If they would make them out of quality wire and charge a little more, they would have the market nailed.

[Stasher1]

Here's another perspective, written by a friend: http://www.burniehaney.com/News.html. I've used both the Gam. Octopus Hooks, and Owner SSW with great success.

The link is not working for me. I think I remember reading it. It is interesting.

The period at the end of the sentence wound up in the link. If you remove it, the link works fine. 

[b.Lee]

Here's another perspective, written by a friend: http://www.burniehaney.com/News.html.'>http://www.burniehaney.com/News.html. I've used both the Gam. Octopus Hooks, and Owner SSW with great success.

The link is not working for me. I think I remember reading it. It is interesting.

http://www.burniehaney.com/News.html

he added a period linked fixed

[fathom]

another ford/chevy, imo...rod used and line used are two stronger variables here.

have used ewg's for years...and can't remember the last time one i lost one.

ymmv.

[J Francho]

Here's another perspective, written by a friend: http://www.burniehaney.com/News.html.'>http://www.burniehaney.com/News.html. I've used both the Gam. Octopus Hooks, and Owner SSW with great success.

The link is not working for me. I think I remember reading it. It is interesting.

weird?  try it from the home page > products and tips > in the news and articles link at the bottom.  http://www.burniehaney.com

[Steve1357]

So you should be using TruTurn worm hooks after all...

Interesting.

I'll keep using my EagleClaw L095s....

RW and I had a heated discussion a while back about Tru Turns. I like 'em, he doesn't. I'll be the first to admit that they're made of cheap crap, but man do I stick fish with them. If they would make them out of quality wire and charge a little more, they would have the market nailed.

I was there...

That was TruTurn's idea when I first used them some 25 years ago, they were twisted and would grab anything nearby, logs, fish, rocks, clothing, tackle bag, boat, anchor rope...

Thinking about it, maybe things have changed in 25 years. I still have some old 5/0 TruTurns, I wouldn't call these things cheap. They are bronzed and you sure wouldn't straighten one out or it fail with you.

Guess I'll buy a pack of new TruTurns and try them out.

Edit: TruTurn still running the 50th Anniversary special, Cabelas has the link to the rebate coupon.

[Simp]

Well I wish I could smack you all with some great knowledge here but I really can't. I fish a jig 90% of the time over a texas rig and the only time I use a standard hook that often is when using a Rage Toad. With those I like the Owner twist locks. There strong, sharp, and I loose less frogs. The only tip I can give is I saw Tim Scroggins on Classic Patterns the other day fishing a worm. He stated he believed strait shanks offer better hook ups. He then showed what he did to keep the worm pegged. He just took a standard tooth pick and instered it into the eye of the hook threw the worm. He then just used a pair of clippers to trim the tooth pick. The worm looked as solid as can be on there.

[bmadd]

I may experiment with using all straight shanks this year. I started using them last year for flipping/pitching/punching. I would also think that using a piece of heat shrink tubing near the eye like recommended by Reaction Innovations and Paycheck Baits would really hold your plastic.