Big Worms and keel weighted hooks

[Big-O]

I have been fishing big worms on keelweighted hooks recently and the action on the fall is remarkable, both on worm action as well as fish catching action. Using this set up in all water depths with good results. The worm body falls parallel and the tail wags along above the body on the fall. In my opinion, the curl tail worms are best for this presentation and in deeper water it slows you down a bit but is great for fishing deep grass and open water grass pockets without grabbing too much salad in the process.  Just slowly swimming the bait over the grass then letting it wag down in the pockets. Also found that in the deep grass, ripping it up and letting it fall works well too. It's a slow methodical style of fishing but the results are impressive.

Big O

[Avalonjohn44]

Is this where the weight is molded around the shaft of the hook?

[Big-O]

Yes, the ones I use now are molded on but there are pinch weights made for hooks as well. Not sure of the brand names though.

Big O

[Popeye]

Thanks for the tips, Big-O!! Actually I've been wanting to try those weighted hooks for awhile now. Think I'll see if Wally World has some when I go to my weekly Bait Monkey feeding tomorrow:o)

[Infidel.]

Not sure of the brand names though.

DOA makes some good ones.

[Wayne P.]

Falcon Bait-Jerker Hooks       Mister Twister Weighted-Bronze Hooks

Mustad Power Lock Plus Hooks       BPS Verticle Dropshot Hooks

Daiichi Butt Dragger Hooks         VMC Bug Eye Hooks

Owner Weighted Twistlock Hook w/centering spring

Lake Fork Tackle Ultimate Swimbait Hook

Dave's Tournament Tackle Weighted Swimbait Hook

Those should give you some more choices.

[Big-O]

Thanks for the info Wayne. I also insert the eye of the keel weighted hook first, about 3/8" below the head of the worm and protrude it out the front end, then insert the point into the body appropriately. Then tie the hook onto the line. This helps to avoid having to drive the weight that is molded onto the hook down thru the head causing a wallowing or boring out effect. Use the same hooking steps on swimbaits too. I don't mind retying if I lose a bait, probably good insurance.

Big O

[Wayne P.]

Big-O, when I use the hooks without a spike or spring, I use a size 10 crochet needle inserted into the bait head that I hook my line to and then pull the line out thru the head and tie the hook on. Then I pull the hook eye into the bait before inserting the point. It creates less damage than trying to force the hook eye into virgin plastic or even premaking the eye channel with the hook point and barb.

I use the same procedure for swimbaits and Flukes.

[Big-O]

Thats kool, I need to try that myself

Big O

[ominousone]

a hitchhiker on the hook will eliminate the need for threading....

[Wayne P.]

Most hook styles are not suitable for the hitch hiker.

[detroit1]

That's a cool lookin' tool you got there , Wayne. What is on the other end of it ?

[Wayne P.]

YOU NOTICED !!!!!! I just got some alligator clips and glued them on so I could clip it to the carpet, shirt pocket, or some other object to keep it handy. I have three of them made up.

[Masshole Mike]

i've had good luck throwing GYCB Kreatures and DT_H grubs skirt-up on a 4/0 weighted hook. i let it fall on a slack line and then just slowly bounce it along the bottom like a tube.

*edit*

that's some good advice about threading the hook head through before tying it on, i hadn't even thought of that. i usually just leave the hook tied on and change baits, and the weight bores out the head of the bait and the bait moves around on the hook shank more than it should. i'm going to start using your method though. that makes so much more sense....

[Jeff C.]

Mike,

there mite be a 14" ribbon tail coming your way..

that 4/0 weighted hook mite be the ticket !!!