Solution to Large Weighted Swimbait Hook Supply

[Hellbenderman]

Can't find large weighted swimbait hooks? Go to Wally World and buy yourself a bunch of rubber core sinkers, those elongated oval weights with the black rubber core with the nubby rubber ends. Remove the rubber and pry open the lead weight enough to slip over your hook shaft. Now, you can either squeeze the weight back together enough where it will hold the rubber core snugly and keep the weight from sliding around, (you can place the weight anywhere on the hook shaft you wish). If you don't like the little rubber tabs, you can cut them off. Or, I forego the rubber core and just squeeze the lead weight together. On most hooks, this will let the weight slide a bit, but it's easier than fooling around with the rubber core, and is usually tucked up against the belly anyway. Use your favorite hooks and stop hunting for big weighted hooks. It's simple!

[SimonSays]

Thanks for sharing this tip! I've been doing this for a while also but I never thought to post it (not cause I want to keep this on the down low, it just never occurred to me!)

What's great about this is that you don't have to shove the nose of your swimbait past the bulge of the weight on those pre-weighted hooks! save the lure from that extra stretch and possible tearing

[MNGeorge]

It's not just the "weighted" aspect of the hook shortage, it is also finding any hook big enough for some of the bigger swimbaits.

[Hellbenderman]

I have found Mustad Ultra Point Big Mouth Tube Hooks in 6/0 7/0 and 8/0

are great for this. They seem to be somewhat more available than others and are a good heavy hook.

[Wayne P.]

Don't use the rubber core at all, just the lead. For a larger readily available hook, the Gamakatsu G-Mag Oversize hook will work for most baits. I get both at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Even if you use the pre-weighted hooks don't tie them on and insert them. Push the hook eye thru the bait head and then tie it on. In a recent post I showed a crochet needle that I use to pull the line thru the bait before tying on the hook which causes less damage from hook insertion.

[RichardE]

We use and sell weighted hooks with a screw-lock keeper. I use those hooks on the Yum Money Minnows and have been very pleased with the performance. We drop a little glue on the screw lock and the bait stays in place very well.

If anyone needs 5/0 1/4oz  we have them in stock.

Later

Richard

[Paul Roberts]

That is a good tip.

But, it's not the weighting part that's missing in the industry, it's hook size.

We need 7/0 and 8/0 EWGs.

[johnkook73]

Very good tip indeed, thanks!!!