Inbent Point Jig Hooks?

[Ogajiga]

I've never tried any yet, do the EWG or new circle jig hook designs have any advantages over conventional straight ahead points? More interested in your personal or your customer's experience than mfg. claims.

[21xdc]

I jumped on the EWG bend style jig hook bandwagon when they first came out and bought many thousands at a time. It did not take long for me and my customers to figure out we were missing bites and loosing more fish than with the round bend styles. There are still people that think differently, But I personally will not use them in any bait I throw unless I was to bend the hook/point up some.

I try and put the biggest round bend hook in my baits that they will allow and still be functual.

[smalljaw]

My favorite jigs used to be Stanley jigs and they still are a good jig but like most jigs on the market they will fall over if left sitting still for any period of time and it's a big reason for lost fish as the hook only gets a small part of the lip because the fish picks the jig up while it's on its side. The Do-it poison tail jig uses an EWG hook and I can say with all honesty that it hooks fish alot better than the Stanley jigs I loved so I have to say that the EWG hooks have a distinct advantage. I wouldn't think a circle hook would work on a jig because the design requires that you don't set the hook but instead let the hook pull into the corner of the fish's mouth and that means the fish has to be swimming with the bait and anyone who fishes jigs knows that alot of times the fish simply inhales the jig and doesn't move so if you set the hook with a circle hook it would just pull out of the mouth of the fish.

[sagacious]

...

I wouldn't think a circle hook would work on a jig because the design requires that you don't set the hook but instead let the hook pull into the corner of the fish's mouth and that means the fish has to be swimming with the bait and anyone who fishes jigs knows that alot of times the fish simply inhales the jig and doesn't move so if you set the hook with a circle hook it would just pull out of the mouth of the fish.

Well, one might think that would be the case-- since we've all been 'told' how circle hooks work. But it does work none the less.

I use the big Mustad 10/0 EZ-Baiter circle hooks on some of my 4oz+ bullet-head saltwater jigs (with a separate eye). That hook has a long shank, which is unlike most c-hooks. It's a killer on rockfish, stripers, lingcod, and halibut. When you get a hit, just reel down tight to the fish and then put full pressure on, and you're now hooked-up. There's no trick to it. The fish aren't always hooked in the corner of the jaw-- they may be hooked in the side of the jaw, and I've even had 'em get hooked on the tip of the lower jaw with a c-hook jig-- but they get hooked just the same.

The advantages are the same as when c-hooks are used in more conventional applications: First, the hooks stay fully sharp all day long, even when fishing in very rocky areas (the hook point is turned in and does not contact the rocks). Second, gear loss and snags are reduced considerably. Third, a fish hooked on a c-hook is as good as in the box-- they virtually never shake loose from that circle. Fourth, the incidence of deeply-hooked or gill-hooked fish is very low. That's on-the-water experience.

I can't speak specifically to the c-style jig hook you're referring to, Hawnjigs, but you might want to give it a try.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[cadman]

I also fish with the Poison Tail jig (#91768 BLN hook), and I have had very good succes with it. To me I get better hook-up percentages. Now I just made an order for a guy with a (#38109 BLN flat eye hook) on a football jig. He swears by them. I am going to try those next and see what the outcome is. JMHO, all arounnd good hooks.

[Ogajiga]

Every comment was useful, thanks to all. Makes sense that a hard jerk could slide an inbent point out of a fish's mouth without setting on a horizontal following take, & missed strikes could be noticeable. Rock snag resistance would be a big + for me. Not sure if EWG short straight point bites could be thrown more easily than deeper curved penetration? Here's a pic of a defective HD Sickle hook(only one!) - if inbent point jig hooks work, this would be close to my ideal.