Hooks for Plastics

[BigBassin144]

There's been some talk lately about hooks, and what styles/sizes to use for what baits. So what I'd like is to gather a decent "database" in this thread for what style and size hooks you use for different plastic. Detail is good here. List the style of plastic bait and what style and size of hook you use. If it's a specific style hook to one company, list the company as well. Here's my general list, I'll add more later.

4-6" Curly Tail Worms - 3/0 EWG or 4/0 Owner Twistlock
7" Curly Tail Worms - 4/0 EWG or 5/0 Owner Twistlock
10" Curly Tail worms - 5/0-6/0 EWG
T-rigged Senkos - 5/0 Owner Twistlock
Dropshot - 1 or 1/0 Gamakatsu DS/SS hook or 1/0 Owner DS hook for weedless rigging.
Craws/Creature baits (rigged for flipping/pitching) - 3/0-5/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Flippin' Hook
Hollow Belly Swimbaits - 4/0, 6/0, 8/0 Owner Beast (weighted versions usually)


So let's hear what you guys use.

BB

[mrmuskie5]

I have all but done away with offset hooks except for real thick baits (swimbaits, jerk baits) and have went to straight shank hooks. on my flipping baits i snell my hooks to create a lever action that helps the hook ratio. i also make a barb by the eyelet out of shrink wrap. (check out paycheck baits on how to do both of these techniques). I hate using glue on my hooks and without it your baits tend to slide on offsets. twistlocks are nice but a little pricey for me.

[bamabassman]

this is what i TRY to do in most cases. i try to hook a plastic (lizzard,worm,etc) with a hook that is close to halfway the length of the BODY of the plastic bait. or as close as i can. maybe i am using too big a hook, but most of my worms and such are 7 inches anyway so i use a 4/0 or 5/0 most of the time. now this is my c-riged or texas rigged plastics ONLY.

[Kicksomebass]

Gamakatsu G-lock or EWG hooks, all i use

[Ebbetsguy]

Hey BB144, something to consider

I use 3 brands of hoks
BPS
Mustad
Owner

I am not going into specific hooks, as we all have our favorites

I use 4 different types of hooks in a few sizes My Point here is
Let's say for one of my Favorites; Old School Offset worm hook 2/0
The Bps Uses the thinest mil wire
next comes the Mustad
with the Owner having the thickect mil wire

This is true specifically for weightless t rigs

so depending on the drop rate I want, when I figure whats going best for a particular day I will use one brand over the other

I am too lazy about roffing nails and such and switching out brands has and does make a difference, if you pay attention to the mil of the wire used for a hook

[fish4942]

I mainly use BPS wide gap hooks mostly.

4-7 inch worms: 3/0 to 4/0 EWG or 1/8oz jig heads
7-10 inch worms: 5/0 EWG
3-4 inch Creature baits: 3/0 to 5/0 or1/8oz jig heads

[Bassboss]

4-6" Curly Tail Worms - Mustad 2/0, 3/0 widegap, or offset
6" lizards - Mustad 3/0 worm hook
7" Curly Tail Worms - Mustad 4/0 wide gap
10" Curly Tail worms - 5/0 EWG gammy
5" Senkos - 4/0 EWG, but I prefere Owner Twistlock as well.
Dropshot - 1 owner DS hooks are great, I like the gammies DS hooks as well.

I use mustad hooks most of the time, but depending on how rich I'm feeling, Gammies or owners will be the one everytime.

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by Ebbetsguy

I am not going into specific hooks, as we all have our favorites

That's actually what I'm looking for in this thread. The specific styles of hooks you use for each bait. I'm not too concerned over brand (unless it's something only one brand makes), or wire diameter, etc.

BB

[Jrob78]

I primarily use Gamakatsu EWG hooks. I find that they are sharp and I have good hookup rates with them.

7" Curly Tail Worms - 3/0 - 5/0 EWG

10" Curly Tail worms - 5/0 EWG or superline 5/0 EWG

T-rigged 5" Senkos - 5/0 EWG

Flukes - 4/0 EWG

Dropshot - Owner Wacky rig hooks or Gammy Finesse hooks

Craws/Creature baits (rigged for flipping/pitching) - 3/0 Gammy Skip Gap hooks, best hooks in the world for beaver style baits! I also plan on trying straight shanked flipping hooks this season.

Hollow Belly Swimbaits - 4/0, 6/0, 8/0 Owner Beast

[Embrey]

i like eagle claw wide gaps..3/0,4/0,and 5/0 depending on bait

[everettvet]

I have been using ewg hooks on everything. However, I have heard a lot of talk about hook up ratios and getting better hook ups with staight shank hooks. I went to the offset EWG hooks because I thought it was easier to rig the plastics correctly but I am going to have to rethink that idea.

[bassboogieman]

I use EWG's almost exclusively with plastics and I don't stick to one size hook for every time I throw a particular bait. I may go up a size, rarely down a size so generally:

#2 Octupus - drop shots.

EWG general use:
2/0 - finesse worms
4/0 - 7" worms, 5 " Senko, small creatures
5/0 - 7" Senko, 10" worm, big creatures, buzz frog.
7/0 - hollow bodied swim baits

I also use the Gammie skip gap hooks 3/0 & 4/0 when skipping docks and sometimes in heavy grass to reduce the chances of the bait being pulled down the hook.

[TN_Bassin]

Just a small summary, cause i could probably go on forever.

Flukes or similar- 2/0 EWG

Brush hogs or similar- 5/0 straight shank

worms less than 7"- 3/0 or 4/0 EWG depending on the worm

Big worms- 5/0 ss (will throw a 5/0 EWG on 15" worms though)

Tubes- 3/0 EWG (not a big fan of the weighted tube hooks kills the action IMO)

Craws- 5/0 EWG for big ones (Paca Craws) and 2/0 for the smaller ones (baby pacas)

[CamG]

4" Senko - 3/0 G-Lock
5" Senko - 4/0 G-Lock
7" Worm - 4/0 EWG )
10-12" Worm - 6/0 EWG
4" Creatures (Brush Hog, etc.) - 3/0 or 4/0 EWG
6" Creatures (Brush Hog, etc.) - 5/0 EWG
5-6" Fluke/Slug Go 5/0 EWG
4" - 5" Flippin Tube - 5/0 EWG

Anytime I'm just flippin' I use a straight shank 4/0, 5/0 - Snelled.