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WHICH
KIND OF HOOK DO I USE?
Let's
talk about hooks. Why are there so many different styles
and sizes to choose from? How do I decide what to use
and why? In bass fishing hooks you have light wire,
heavier hooks, regular and wide gap styles along with
straight shank and j-bend styles, why?
First
and foremost, let me state that you need to use the
best hooks you can buy. That means Mustad, winner of
three of the last four BassMaster Classics and if the
truth be known probably the past four. The new Mustad
Ultra Point hook just can't be beat. You can stick the
Ultra Point into a two by four and carve your initials
into it and the point won't bend or lose its sharpness.
When I am Texas rigging or flipping I will use the
Denny Brauer flippin' hook. This is a strong hook with
a straight shank. The reason for a straight shank in
these situations is because it will come through the
worm easier. When the point of this hook hits the roof
of a bass's mouth it won't bend, it will give you a
solid hook-up. Small worms like the Zoom finesse or
ring worm I will use a 1/0 or 2/0. When fishing a Mag
II or a Baby Brush Hog I will use the 3/0. When I go
to the Zoom 10 inch Old Monster I will use the 4/0 to
5/0.
When fishing a Zoom trick worm or a lizard I will
use offset Mustad model 30121BLN black nickel hook.
You have no sinker in front of the hook and you need
the offset to keep your worm on the hook. When fishing
smaller lizards, I will use a 1/0 and just work up in
size with lure size. Very rarely do I ever go over a
3/0 when Carolina rigging. When fishing the trick worm,
90% of the time I will use a 2/0, depending upon the
speed I am fishing the worm. In other words the heavier
or bigger hook you use the faster you can fish the worm.
When I fish a tube I will use the Big Mouth a wide
gap hook especially designed to fish on tube baits.
A 2/0 in small tubes, a 3/0 in mid size and a 4/0 in
big tubes. These hooks are designed to fit a tube just
perfect and the special J-bend is made to keep the tube
on the hook. In some situations I will even run a piece
of 25 lbs. Stren line through the tube and eye of hook
and clip ends off and this will help keep the tube on,
I like the Big Bite hook that comes in J-bend style
when fishing Flukes or any big bodied bait. The Mustad
Mega-Bite hook is also a great hook to use with these
type of lures. The extra wide gap will allow the hook
to penetrate the large body and reach the fishes mouth.
When it comes to crankbaits the Mustad Triple grip
can't be beat. The first thing I do when I get a crankbait
like the Possum Lure or Bass Pro Extreme Lure or any
brand for that matter is to replace the hooks with triple
grips. I hardly ever lose a fish.
Remember, lighter hooks in clear water or when finess
fishing and heavier hooks with power fishing lures.
Two other hooks, the Pro Stinger hook is a great trailer
hook for buzzbaits and spinnerbaits and the new dropshot
hook is a must for that type of fishing.
Good luck on your next fishing trip, I hope you fill
your Nitro livewell with big bass.
May God Bless.
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