Swimbait Hooks 101

By Wired2Fish Staff

Choosing The Right Hook

The swimbait craze was heightened the last couple of years when Basstrix Introduced their hollow bodied lure and pros including Jay Yelas of Oregon and Steve Kennedy of Alabama increased the demand with giant catches and Angler of the Year finishes.

Just about every company in the plastic business saw that demand and created their own hollow bellied swimbait to capitalize on the groundswell.

Strike King has the Shadalicious, Berkley created the Hollow Belly and Mann's recently introduced the Swim Shad. The Money Minnow, Lucky Strike Bass Magic, Phantom Shad and Maverick Shad also have entered the fray. All have unique differences, but one common thread anglers need to take note of when rigging is the hook.

Choosing the wrong hook can decrease the effectiveness of the action of the bait. Choosing the perfect hook for each bait is the key.

Bait Junkies Test

Our tests by the "Bait Junkies" here at Wired2Fish have shown that not all hooks or rigging techniques get the desired results with each bait, and designing the perfect bait is only part of the equation. In our opinion, companies that recognize the necessity of designing the bait and the hook "get it."

Designing the right hook for the bait is essential and we would like to see manufacturers incorporate the correct hook with the bait.

There are several very good belly-weighted hooks on the market from companies including Mr. Blitz, Falcon, Eagle Claw Platinum Black, Gamakatsu, Daiichi and Mustad. Several others have weighted hooks, but they, too, are not created equal and most were designed for plastic frogs and not specifically for swimbaits. They may work, but may not provide optimum performance.

Open water applications can call for an exposed hook or a treble hook to increase their effectiveness. Many good leadhead designs like Revenge and Blade Runner work well on these baits, and are molded to allow the head of the bait to fit tightly into the head. Some anglers are even using the Sworming Hornet or Road Runner heads with these swimbaits.

The exact placement of the weight on the hook shank is the difference. Because each of the aforementioned baits is different, they each need a specific hook that allows the bait to swim appropriately to avoid rolling or twisting.

Knowing the differences

Each swimbait has a different amount of plastic in the nose of the bait and each design, although similar at first blush, are very different upon a careful critique. The amount of plastic in the nose, the shape of the bait and the tail design all enter the equation when selecting the proper hook. During our tests with the baits, we discovered some need a hook with the weight more near the line tie and others seem to run better with the weight more centered.

Keepers on each of the hooks are also critical. Screw-lock styles work well on some but not all baits and can tear the nose, causing the angler to use more baits on less fish. The use of Super Glue can aid the securing of keepers, while running a toothpick through the nose and hook’s line tie, and then clipping the toothpick flush, can secure the bait as well.

A Wired Tip:
"When rigging a swimbait with a weighted hook, moisten the hook and nose of the bait with a little spit or drop of oily attractant. This helps the hook and weight slide through the plastic easier. Then add a drop of Super Glue to seal the nose if it's torn."

Dialing in

Anglers should understand there are differences in plastic swimbaits, but also there is more than the bait to create the best combination. Choosing the right rod, the best fluorocarbon line and the best reel with a high speed retrieve is only part of it.

Getting dialed in also includes choosing the best hook, and testing them will give anglers the guidance to increase the action and get excellent hook penetration when that big ol’ bass inhales the swimbait.

The Inside Scoop
Mr. Blitz hooks cost $3.59 for a package of 4.
Daiichi hooks goes for $4.50 for a package of 4.
Others vary in price by number in the package and size/weight of hook.
Kicker Fish Bait Company has the best selection of hooks at www.KickerFishbait.com.