imagine_studios Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Is there a chart somewhere that gives hook to lure size ratios? I'm building my first Muskie lures and having trouble settling on the proper hook size for a 9" lure. I went with a 5/0 hook, but it seems to be way too big for the lure, at least, just by the looks of things. Obviously, if that's the size I need, that's cool, what it looks like to me isn't as important as what it looks like to the fish. It seems to run fine with the hooks. Any ideas on this one? Thanks Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token12 Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Post a pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagine_studios Posted November 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Is it me? Or, are these hooks too large for this bait? I realize pine probably isn't the way to go and I'll have to figure out a way to keep them far enough apart so they don't tangle, but I'm just looking to keep the proportions in the right ratio. Thanks Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdeee Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 I am sure someone else will reply to this, but those hooks look fine. My rule of thumb is that as long as the hooks can't hook together it's fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagine_studios Posted November 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 I debated about putting two or three hooks on this lure to begin with, two didn't seem like enough, but three seems a little tight. The first and second hook seem a bit close together and might be wanting to tangle, but I'll have to experiment to see how things work out. This lure will be for trolling only, so it seems like the hooks would behave a little better if it's not casted, but that remains to be seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 I don't build musky lures, but I'm with Jdeee about the hooks "shaking hands". I often run into this problem when building smaller lures for bass. You move the belly hanger back far enough so the hook doesn't hang up on the diving lip and it ends up tangling with the rear hook. That's what I like about the extra strong, short shank hooks. These may not be an option for those of you building larger baits for muskies though. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 I think the size is fine but I would go with two hooks.. not three.I'd move your front hook back just a hair and get rid of that middle hook.BTW...pine works great for lures..Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagine_studios Posted November 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 I think I'm definitely going to go with two hooks, but it just seemed like a huge gap with only 2, it's a big catch 22 it seems. Just like Ryaburn said, it's either getting hooked on the lip, or tangling with the #2 hook. I was worried about the pine for Muskie, seems like it would get torn up a bit quicker and maybe run the risk of the hook eyes getting pulled out. This is still my first, so I figured I'd go with something a little easier to work with until I got the prototype all ironed out. I've got tons of scrap pine available, so if it holds up, I'll be using it as much as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Epoxy your eye screws in and they won't pull out.If you move that front hook back a bit it won't catch on the bill and it will fill that gap a bit from removing that middle hook...Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token12 Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Those hooks are perfectly fine. you could try fitting some size 2 or 4 EWG hooks on it and see how it looks, just a thought, if I was in your position I'd try that take a picture and compare the pics together and then make a judgement call. You could also look at some lures from top lure companies as well and compare hook sizes to yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking 56 Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Hooks are always an interesting topic. On your next prototype move the 2 front hooks forward about 3/4 - 1 inch. Muskies will often take the bait headfirst so you need hooks as close to the head as possible. Some muskie guys automatically go up a couple sizes on certain baits because they track better at higher speeds when trolling. I've noticed it on Depthraiders by switching over to 5/0. I've also had 3X 5/0 hooks straightened and as a result switched to 6x. On certain baits it affected the action considerably and switched back to 3X and kept a looser reel drag, some not so much and kept the 6X on with a tighter drag. So, the hook strength is also a consideration. Personally I find the 3x 5/0 and all around good hook up to 10'' baits. I'd keep those hooks on that bait. I'f you're going to put 2, experiment with some 7/0. Keep the pine for prototypes only. Have fun! S56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagine_studios Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Thanks guys, sounds like I'm good with the hook sizes, now it's a matter of leaving three or going with 2. Currently, the front hook isn't able to get caught on the lip, but it's just barely out of range. It can however, get caught up in the #2 hook so that could be a concern. But, since it will only be trolled, maybe there won't be as much opportunity for them to get caught together since they should both be swept in their far back position. Of course, once you start hitting the bottom or weeds, all bets are off. I think I'll make two 9 inchers to try out, one with 3 hooks and one with 2, drag them both around all day and see what happens. Ultimately, that might be the only way to know for sure. The hooks are epoxied in, so that's a plus, but I'm still a little nervous about them. Again, the only way to find out for sure is to test it out. Thanks for the help Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 That lure looks a lot like a 9" Grandma, find a photo of one to compare yours to. Best way to tell if hooks tangle is to fish it some. The hooks I carry to replace cut off hooks is size 3/0. They would probably make your lure a little more active. The thing about larger hooks is the barb is also larger. This is what usually causes hooks not to penatrate past the barb and you end up fighting the fish with it hooked on the end of the hook point. A hook that goes in all the way to the bottom of the hook stays put most of the time. Most of the time if hooks tangle on a musky lure, the lure will still run ok. If the hook tangles on the lip it will not run ok. I would stay back with the front hook. I would go with 3/0 on front two hooks and leave the larger 5/0 on the rear. Don't worry about pine, it will hold fine. Remember locked down drags only hold about 15 lbs. Musky Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagine_studios Posted November 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 I was kind of going with the Grandma style, mainly because they seem to work well, and they're relatively easy to make. The two different sized hooks are a good idea. Thanks Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
