I just saw the new Owner "Light" Mosquito Hook which to me looks like a improvement to the "beak" down turned hook point I don't particularly care for with the standard Owner Mosquito hooks . My current preference is a Gama Drop Shot / Split Shot hook size #1 or #2 for nose hooking Robo Worms and such ... The Trokar drop shot hook looks deadly , there is the newer Berkley drop shot hooks with some kind of slick coating applied for easier hook sets , the VMC "Spin Shot" and then the fore mentioned new Owner Light Mosquito drop shot hooks . *What is your current favorite drop shot hook and size for nose hooking worms , as well as, what feature(s) you like about them ?
The finesse wide gap is my favorite, but I'm not too picky with my drop shot hooks as long as it is sized to the bait. For the guys having trouble with the mosquito, don't set the hook, just reel set like a circle.
I bought a few sizes of the Light mosquito hooks last spring. I feel like I lost a higher percentage of fish on them than on other hooks so they've been removed from my hook box. I'm not an experienced fisherman and I'm not entirely confident in any drop shot hook yet. If it's working I prefer to dropshot with an EWG hook because I'm more confident of landing the fish.
Aaron's Gamakatsu drop shot hook is good for nose hook and Owner 5133 down shot for weedless hook, trying the Cover shot hook size 2 for both slip shot and weedless drop shot, the keeper works good and this may be my new hook for finesse presentations.
Tom
On 1/11/2019 at 8:17 AM, WRB said:Aaron's Gamakatsu drop shot hook is good for nose hook
I used these all season and love them, even with the barb pinched down I rarely loose them and they really stick in deep. I had been using the Gama Finesse Heavy Cover hooks for t-rigged plastics but they are expenisve as heck. I picked up a pile of these new Owner hooks and what little I have used them really impressed me.
I use the roboworm rebarb has worked great for me.
I used to use the Gamakatsu swivel hooks, nose hooked roboworms and really liked them. I'd still use these for nose hooking worms and other plastics.
But, my hook up ratio exploded up when I moved over to the Roboworm Rebarb Hook. I use different sizes but generally like either a 1/0 or #1 light wire. I use these whenever I Texas Rig a roboworm which is now most of the time.
Brad
I went to Table Rock last fall and tried drop shots for the first time . I used some of those hooks that are attached to a swivel . I lost fish after fish . Only landed a few . I dont know if it was the hook or what .
I don't do much dropshotting so my experience with hooks is limited. What I use is the VMC spinshot in either #1 or 1/0. Probably with a Roboworm I would go with the size 1 because they are thinner at the nose. I've also tried the Gammy wide-gap weedless hooks. Only caught 1 fish with that hooks so not much to report.
Gamakatsu DS hooks, Stand-out hooks, and started using the Owner hooks that Tom mentioned. For anyone missing fish the secret is to just start reeling as mega hook sets will make you lose fish.
Allen
If North GA is like Middle TN, an open dropshot hook is tough to get away with—it dives into every stick on the lake. The Roboworm Rebarb hook is nasty sharp. TX rigged on a dropshot accounted for a ton of fish for me last year. Sticks em right in the roof of the mouth.
Gamakatsu split shot/drop shot or Berkley fusion drop shot hook. Only difference I can tell is gammys will hold a point a little longer, but I'm so picky about having a sharp hook that I'm changing enough that it doesn't make a difference.
If I'm not nose hooking, can't beat a rebarb.
I used Gamakatsu Drop shot/split shot hooks for years...never had a problem with them.
I switched to VMC spin shot's probably 4-5 years ago...all was good until this past season. I ran low/out of my stock of these hooks purchased the first 2-3 years these were on the market. I restocked my supply with several packs....and almost every single one of them gave me issues, specifically with the little wire "swivel" bending and/or breaking either after just a few fish catches, or on large fish. I never had that problem with the original batch. Bummed me out because I really like the concept of these hooks and beat the drum loudly for them here.
With my trust lost in these hooks, I switched back to Gamakatsu, this time the Aaron Martens TGW drop shot hooks and have been happy with those.
Another vote for the Gamakatsu. Two decades of use. Reliable.
On 1/11/2019 at 8:17 AM, WRB said:Aaron's Gamakatsu drop shot hook is good for nose hook and Owner 5133 down shot for weedless hook, trying the Cover shot hook size 2 for both slip shot and weedless drop shot, the keeper works good and this may be my new hook for finesse presentations.
Tom
*Thanks Tom - That Owner Cover Shot looks to be a cool deal - it will also serve other finesse applications besides just drop shot .
My box has Gammy Dropshot/Splitshot, Extra Wide Gap Finesse, Owner Mosquito, and Robo Worm Rebarbs. I was thinking of trying a treble hook on a drop **** and nose hooking three thin worms. Hey, just like a finesse umbrella rig. Oh, maybe I won't.
We are discussing finesse drop shot where lighter wire smaller size hooks used with finesse size soft plastics, not bubba shot. When using light line and small size 3" to 6" worms on line from 4# to 8# mono or FC the hook affects he worm action. Worm movements are more natural swimming action when nose hooked or wacky hooked, weedless hooking requires a longer hook that is light wire to allow the worm to have more suttle movements that standard to heavy wire hook tend to deaden.
Rebarb hooks are light wire Gamakatsu or Owner with a piece of shrink sleeve to hold the soft plastic. The needs to be extremely sharp to penetrate the bass mouth be lifting the rod and reeling without a hard hook set associated with standard worm hooks.
Tom
Only hook I use is the VMC Spin Shot.
On 1/11/2019 at 7:12 AM, ChrisD46 said:My current preference is a Gama Drop Shot / Split Shot hook size #1 or #2 for nose hooking
Used these all Summer for both large/smallmouth nose hooking shad type baits and they worked well
On 1/11/2019 at 8:31 AM, scaleface said:I went to Table Rock last fall and tried drop shots for the first time . I used some of those hooks that are attached to a swivel . I lost fish after fish . Only landed a few . I dont know if it was the hook or what .
It's possible the swivel type drop shot hook (i.e. Gama , VMC) do better fished vertical with a Z-Man type elaZtech type baits which float or are at least neutral in the water . I'm thinking on a more horizontal drop shot retrieve with a not floating soft plastic the bait may rotate behind the line on the hook swivel thus being on the wrong side to stick a bass ? *Perhaps someone here who has experience with the swivel type drop shot hooks can chime in what works best for soft plastic types , retrieve , etc. ?
On 1/11/2019 at 11:26 AM, BoatSquirrel said:If North GA is like Middle TN, an open dropshot hook is tough to get away with—it dives into every stick on the lake. The Roboworm Rebarb hook is nasty sharp. TX rigged on a dropshot accounted for a ton of fish for me last year. Sticks em right in the roof of the mouth.
Definitely lake structure will be a deciding factor whether you go T-Rig or exposed hook with a drop shot . I encounter more open water situations than not so exposed hook works for me . *Tom has me thinking though and may wish to standardize on one style drop shot hook that works for more situations .
On 1/11/2019 at 9:29 PM, ww2farmer said:I used Gamakatsu Drop shot/split shot hooks for years...never had a problem with them.
I switched to VMC spin shot's probably 4-5 years ago...all was good until this past season. I ran low/out of my stock of these hooks purchased the first 2-3 years these were on the market. I restocked my supply with several packs....and almost every single one of them gave me issues, specifically with the little wire "swivel" bending and/or breaking either after just a few fish catches, or on large fish. I never had that problem with the original batch. Bummed me out because I really like the concept of these hooks and beat the drum loudly for them here.
With my trust lost in these hooks, I switched back to Gamakatsu, this time the Aaron Martens TGW drop shot hooks and have been happy with those.
Reduced line twist is / was a feature of the swivel type drop shot hooks ; without them I will want a high quality drop weight to reduce line twist (plus not reeling the drop shot rig back too quickly helps and or braid main line)
Gammy Split Shot/ Drop Shot hook 99% of the time. The Owner Mosquito is also a nice hook. If I need to go weedless, the Robo Rebarb hook is nice.
On 1/12/2019 at 1:14 AM, WRB said:We are discussing finesse drop shot where lighter wire smaller size hooks used with finesse size soft plastics, not bubba shot. When using light line and small size 3" to 6" worms on line from 4# to 8# mono or FC the hook affects he worm action. Worm movements are more natural swimming action when nose hooked or wacky hooked, weedless hooking requires a longer hook that is light wire to allow the worm to have more suttle movements that standard to heavy wire hook tend to deaden.
Rebard hooks are light wire Gamakatsu or Owner with a piece of shrink sleeve to hold the soft plastic. The needs to be extremely sharp to penetrate the bass mouth be lifting the rod and reeling without a hard hook set associated with standard worm hooks.
Tom
*Agreed Tom : Drop Shot setup of ML rod , #4lb. to #8 lb. line where you don't want to inhibit the worm action along where a reel set type hook set is used .
The Gamakatsu split/drop shot hooks are nice but I prefer the Gamakatsu finesse wide gap. They are great for drop shot and wacky rigs
Gamakatsu G-Finesse heavy cover worm hook in a size 1. Designed by A-Mart.
I have a few favorites -
A-Jay
Gammy A-Mart TGW hooks. Had difficulty hooking DS fish until I switched to those, not anymore, just lift and reel.
On 1/13/2019 at 12:11 PM, A-Jay said:I have a few favorites -
A-Jay
*Nice !!
I like the Owner Riggin Hook size 4 (not 4/0) and a robo worm. It's a tough, sharp, hook that can cut through but isn't too light.
The VMC spinshot hooks have worked well for me.
On 1/13/2019 at 12:11 PM, A-Jay said:I have a few favorites -
@A-Jay (and others) - interested to see Owner Mosquitoes and Gamma Octopus hooks in the mix.
I am new to drop shotting and been thinking those two look like drop shot hooks so they should work like ds hooks.
Mosquito and Octopus hooks are relatively common and economical, even in a place with few specialist store options. I'll give them a try.
Any further comments on how Mosquito and Octopus hooks perform relative to other options that specifically say "drop shot" on the pack? ????
FWIW I've been using the VMC sureset dropshot hooks that are sold all in big stores in Canada and they've worked well for my initial forays into the drop shot world.
I was just thinking (besides that a dedicated pitching reel with no level-wind might make sense) That if one rotated a straight eye on a drop shot hook 90º, that would allow to tie the main line and sinker dropper with 2 knots and it would sit perfectly.
On 1/15/2019 at 3:38 AM, snake95 said:@A-Jay (and others) - interested to see Owner Mosquitoes and Gamma Octopus hooks in the mix.
I am new to drop shotting and been thinking those two look like drop shot hooks so they should work like ds hooks.
Mosquito and Octopus hooks are relatively common and economical, even in a place with few specialist store options. I'll give them a try.
Any further comments on how Mosquito and Octopus hooks perform relative to other options that specifically say "drop shot" on the pack? ????
FWIW I've been using the VMC sureset dropshot hooks that are sold all in big stores in Canada and they've worked well for my initial forays into the drop shot world.
Perhaps some of this could help.
A-Jay
Gammy split shot/drop shot hooks. Sharp till the day is done.
Spinshot, spinshot, and spinshot. Did I mention spinshot? Made by VMC.
I have always used Owner or Gammys but I was getting my butt kicked by my partner, both of us using a drop shot. I was getting an equal # of bites, but he was landing almost all of his and I was about 40%. We both had ML rods, 12 lb braid to an 8# leader. He asked me what hook I was using. At that time I had an Owner on. He said try these and handed me a pack made by Hayabusa. I never lost another fish that day. Now I very well could have been sleeping with the Owner & just happened to wake up with the hook switch. But I later tried some of their worm hooks & they are great also & nicely priced.
Like most of you, I have a sizable investment/inventory in Owner, Gammy, Trokar, VMC etc. If I can have a terminal tackle garage sale one day, I will switch to all Hayabusa except for the bigger Owner Beast swimbait hooks. The biggest they make now is 7/0.
If I could only pick one dropshot hook for the rest of my life I'd go with the Trokars. They're razor sharp and strong as nails. They're also one of the more expensive options.
For a budget everyday dropshot hook I use the Owner Mosquitos in the bulk Pro Packs. They do the job but if you get snagged and work them loose the smaller ones tend to bend.
Gamakatsu (blue pack, not the Aaron Marten green pack) drop shot hooks are also fine but wouldn't be my first choice, I've had issues with these bending as well. They get a mention because if you need hooks in a pinch every tackle store will carry these.
Trapper drop shot hooks I would avoid. They do exactly what they say they will, once a fish is hooked on it won't become unbuttoned, but that same 90 degree angle and shape of the hook that keeps the fish from throwing the hook makes the hook a huge pain in the a$$ to remove, where oftentimes you'll need to bend/break the hook to just get it off.
I have some of the VMC spin shots, but just having to tie that extra knot deters me from ever really using them consistently.
These work well for me as I often DS into vegetation... I can also just cut off the tag end weights, if I want to quickly switch to wacky.
I started using VMC neko hooks, love them, super sharp have had great hookups.