Hooks for LMB: Think we have touched on this subject before. I know many of you are still fishing for other types of fish this time of year. I am just starting to get ready for the...

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Think we have touched on this subject before. I know many of you are still fishing for other types of fish this time of year. I am just starting to get ready for the next pre-spawn and LMB season. I think most of us fish drop shot , flyline, texas righ, C-rig, wacky rig, etc. What brand and size hooks do you folks mostly use? Just thought I might find something new for the coming season.

Lee626 Loc: Brick NJ [ near the Jersey shore ]

For a Texas rig or a c rig i use Gamakatsu ewg 3/0 for a wacky I use Gamakatsu finesse extra wide hooks and there good for other types of fishing too, i also keep octopus hooks in my box

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Primarily 3/0 as your main size Lee?

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

OldBassGuy wrote:

Think we have touched on this subject before. I know many of you are still fishing for other types of fish this time of year. I am just starting to get ready for the next pre-spawn and LMB season. I think most of us fish drop shot , flyline, texas righ, C-rig, wacky rig, etc. What brand and size hooks do you folks mostly use? Just thought I might find something new for the coming season.

When I Texas rig senkos I use a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG worm hook. I drop shot with a #2 or 1/0 octopus hook.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Last year I read an article by Mike Iconelli about Neko hooks for drop shotting.
VMC makes em. It’s basically a wide gap finesse hook with a longer shank and a little offset to the point
I picked up a few sizes 2,1 and 1-0. Also some 1-0 weedless.
They do great on Neko and wacky senko.
I usually use Spin shots on my dropshot and love em. I was skeptical about using Neko hooks for this application
Just like the article I read said, hook up rate improved and the quality of the hook up improved too
With the spin shot I got a lot of skin hook. With the Neko the hook point was buried dead center roof of mouth.
First day I tried this on a drop shot I caught probly 25 smallmouth up to 4 1/2 and every one was hooked solid. I don’t remember having a fish come unbuttoned
I’m really impressed .
I think the ideal size is size 1

I usually don’t like weedless hooks. The fiber guards on these are nice. I used these with wacky senkos both with O rings and without and don’t think I missed any hits due to the weed guard.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Lee626 wrote:

For a Texas rig or a c rig i use Gamakatsu ewg 3/0 for a wacky I use Gamakatsu finesse extra wide hooks and there good for other types of fishing too, i also keep octopus hooks in my box

Hey Lee. We started using octopus hooks a couple years ago for dropshot ting live minnows for deep crappie.
That’s all I use any more.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Great info Ben, will research them look for the article
Thanks

Lee626 Loc: Brick NJ [ near the Jersey shore ]

OldBassGuy wrote:

Primarily 3/0 as your main size Lee?

Yeah, if i'm using a 6" worm i primarily use a 3/0 ewg

Lee626 Loc: Brick NJ [ near the Jersey shore ]

Ben Bragg wrote:

Hey Lee. We started using octopus hooks a couple years ago for dropshot ting live minnows for deep crappie.
That’s all I use any more.

Ya gotta check out VMC's wacky hooks, there just like w g finesse hooks but with thinner wire, they're great for hiding the hook in smaller baits or rigging a fluke or other baits through the lips

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Senko style worms 3/0-4/0 EWG either Gamakatsu,or Trokar Magworm.Same on regular ribbon tail worms.
Wacky Weedless either Gamakatsu or Trokar, nonweedless Trokar anywhere from #2-2/0. Most times #1,all short shank wacky /finesse hooks.
I want to try paddle tail "Trick Worm " type this year, probably stay with 3/0-4/0 EWG on those as well.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Thanks Fred. I use Gamakatsu 1 and 1/0 mostly for all my senko worms. I use wide gap finesse and octopus mainly. As you know, almost all my big fish came on Yamamoto Thin 5" Grn/Pump worms. Biggest came on Yamamoto grub. Really liked Ben's suggestion on VMC Neko hooks, and think I am going to give them a shot.
Will wait on ordering them until I hear a few more suggestions.

Ever use the G7plastic worm protectors in lieu of O-rings? Saw them on a video. Looks interesting, might try them this year.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

The Neko rig itself is a BAD dude.
Z man big TRD. Oh yea.
Ya gotta super glue the weight. Elastec really don’t like having stuff stuck in it.
Once ya get that done. It’s a great lure.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

OldBassGuy wrote:

Thanks Fred. I use Gamakatsu 1 and 1/0 mostly for ... (show quote)

No I've never tried them OBG, I'll have to check them out. Thanks for the tip!

badbobby Loc: Humble Texas

OldBassGuy wrote:

Think we have touched on this subject before. I know many of you are still fishing for other types of fish this time of year. I am just starting to get ready for the next pre-spawn and LMB season. I think most of us fish drop shot , flyline, texas righ, C-rig, wacky rig, etc. What brand and size hooks do you folks mostly use? Just thought I might find something new for the coming season.

yama gatsu 4/0's worm hooks

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Lee626 wrote:

Ya gotta check out VMC's wacky hooks, there just like w g finesse hooks but with thinner wire, they're great for hiding the hook in smaller baits or rigging a fluke or other baits through the lips

I have some. I like em better than G finesse.
Really leaning toward thin wire hooks lately.