Straight or offset worm hooks?

[fatbass]

I know pretty much when to use WG hooks.  What factors might be considered when choosing a worm hook, either straight shank or offset?

   just pondering,   Fatz

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I been pondering this Q as long as i have used um.IMO i think the smaller ones work best straight .I have had sucess with both and to me .........I just dont know  :-/

[frogtog]

If you are going to do a lot of casting you would want to use the offset hook.

This will help keep the plastic from slipping down the shank. This is not a 100%

cure but they will out peform the straight shank. 8-)

[Guest avid]

Questions like this prove you are a fanatic.

To most people a hook is a hook,

then you walk into a well stocked bait shop and see walls of different styles.

Then you come on BassResource.com and debate the merits of the straight shank v. the offset.

I used to actually wake up in the middle of the night questions like ripping through my brain.

Now I wake up at 10am and wonder why I'm up "in the middle of the night"

Yawn - I think it's time for bed.  8-)

[Guest avid]

Actually hook style is very important.

I use a straight shank for thin worms like zoom finesse..

offset but not ewg for lizards, and trick worms etc.

EWG for senkos

and fat gaps (owner riggin, for horney toads, etc)

Works for me.  In Florida avoiding anything that will pick up a floating strand of millfoil etc. is key.

[Triton21]

I use straight shank owner worm hooks for all plastics except horney toads.  Try this experment.  Cut the point past the barb off both a straight shank and a offset hook.  Rig a plastic bait like you normally would and pull both between your thumb and forefinger.  I think you will be suprised  at the results.

Kelley

[cart7t]

I prefer straight shank worm hooks.  

[roadwarrior]

It just goes to show you why there are literally hundreds of different styles and sizes. For soft plastics, I use Gamakatsu or X-Point 4/0 EWG and 3/0 EWG almost exclusively. When fishing live bait, Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks, #6 for smallmouth, #2 for striper.

[Papa_Tom]

The most oft-heard recent comments I have noticed concerning straight shank vs. offset is in regards to flipping.  Some are saying that the straight shank will come back through the cover easier.  Plus, the hook pull is more direct in line. Gary Yamamoto and Denny Brauer are the two biggest names you hear with this stance. Casting, the offset does seem to help (MO)  with keeping the bait in place.

[fatbass]

So it comes down to preference then.  I had read that some of the pro's prefer straight hooks but couldn't recall why.  I wasn't going through the mountain of magazines again to find it til next winter.  I guess I've used both with no noticeable difference aside from slippage off the eye..

[5bass]

I have a far better hookup ratio with straight shanks....round bend of course.

[The_Natural]

I have a far better hookup ratio with straight shanks....round bend of course.

+1.  I use straight shanks for all traditional worms, offset round bends for lizards, craws, and all C-rig'd baits, and EWG's for Brush Hogs, Tubes, and Senkos.  I read KVD's newest book a year or so ago, and he pretty much got me back using straight shanks for all my worm fishing.  Kevin stated he was worm fishing with Larry Nixon (the godfather of the worm  8-)) a few years back, and Larry taught him that using a straight shank would improve his hookup percentage, and KVD claimed since going back to a straight shank for worms has "dramatically improved" his hookup ratio.  Straight shanks are not as weedless, and hence the reason even if you are fishing a worm on a Carolina Rig, you should stick with an offset round bend or be subjected to frequent snags.  KVD stated he also prefers an offset round bend for fishing C-rigs because it "props your bait up off the bottom".  Don't make it too difficult on yourself though...all hooks work, yet once you reach a certain point, you start looking for ways to capitalize on an extra bite or two.  

[gatrboy53]

a tip for those who dont already know.when rigging a strait shank hook.try snelling the hook w/ a uni knot.run tag end ( point side)thru eye make loop pass tag end around shank and thru loop 5 times and shinch.if your using a weight ,grab weight between fingers and pull down to hook eye.if snelled properly hook should flip point up to 90 deg.which should and does result in better hook ratio.in flippin this makes a world of difference in hook ups.to those of you that are happy w/ what you use now this doesnt apply to you,but to those who want that extra edge this is the ticket.YES,the plastic dont stay on as good as a offset but there are remedies for that also.as avid said if you fish weeds the s.s. works great.

[georgiabassfisherman]

i use straight shank hooks but then i take pliers and grab the point and bend it out to one side a little so the hook goes out to the side i have better hookups that way.

Gary