Swimbait hooks tearing up the baits: question

[fason]

For the first time this weekend, I actually caught some fish on Swimbaits.  I was using a hook with a screw keeper on the front.  The problem that I had was tha the screw would tear up the head of the swimbait after the first fish rendering the swimbait useless after that.  I was getting bites, so this quickly became an expensive process.   My question is: Is there a hook out ther that would work better?  Was I doing something wrong.

[fason]

Also, I was using 4.5" and 5.5" Shadalicious and 5" Big Bite swimbaits.

[bunkerbstr]

It does happen though there is a remedy.  Try using the Mend-it glue to repair torn up baits.  I picked up a couple of bottles last year and found this stuff to be the best that I've found.  Today's formula is different from the previous which got thick and unusuable.

This is a must have if you're fishing soft swimbaits - works on every other plastic too - extends the life of soft baits.  Dries pliable and does not harden like other glues:

http://www.***.com/descpageMENDGLUE-MIG.html

One tip is to take your pile of baits and fix a bunch at once for the next trip.  You can do it while you're on the water, but make sure you let it cure.  It doesn't take too long to cure, but if you let it cure overnight you'll have much better results.

Good luck.  

[fason]

Are there any good swimbait hooks made like a normal wide gap worm hook with a weight on the hook?  If so, has anyone ever tried them?

Which hook does everyone like?

[CWB]

Had same problem.

I now use this type of hook and would never go back.

http://www.***.com/descpage-GWMH.html

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10201783_100010006_100000000_100010000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL

1 Tip. Do not put hook in bait like you would a standard worm hook.

Push the point up thru the bottom of the bait and out thru the nose in reverse of how you would normally do it. Then remove it and carefully push the eye into the path you just made and then rig the rest normally, keeping hook centered. I caught 10 fish on 1 Shadalicious last Sunday. Once you try this you will not go back and have to fool around with messy glue until you are done fishing and want to resurrect a few dead baits.

Another option is to use crimp on weights with standard ewg hooks.

[tripleplay09]

I agree with CWB.. my friend and I used those same kinda hooks last weekend in a tourney and they worked like a charm.. make sure to get the right hook though because anything different will keep ripping apart that swimbait of yours.. we found out the hard way and the slightest difference can be a costly mistake.. the thinner the hook, the less damage to the swimbait

Good luck!

[CWB]

I agree with CWB.. my friend and I used those same kinda hooks last weekend in a tourney and they worked like a charm.. make sure to get the right hook though because anything different will keep ripping apart that swimbait of yours.. we found out the hard way and the slightest difference can be a costly mistake.. the thinner the hook, the less damage to the swimbait

Good luck!

Good point.

I seem to remember a YouTube video about rigging a swimbait with

this style hook. Also saw a Hank Parker episode where he cuts the bottom of hollow style baits. Might help with hookups (I haven't tried as I don't seem to have hookup issues) but this will definitley turn each bait into a 1 or 2 fish bait. Hank gets his free but I don't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjHIlLgnDEs&feature=related

[Big Bait Fishing]

use a OWNER BEAST twist-lok weighted swimbait hook , they are the best out there , i recently got rid of all my gamakatsu and mustad hooks and have gotten all OWNER hooks , i also use the un-weighted BEAS twisloc hooks for weightless plastics and also for my frogs (rage tail toads) you will not be dissapointed . btw , in my opinion , those gamakatsu swimbait hooks have a too heavy of wire so that they really tear up the baits head.