What Size Hooks to Use with Soft Plastics

You have no idea what size hook to use with soft plastics. There are few companies that recommend a hook size and type on the package. The majority do not specify a hook size. This is where the problems start. People try to use a one size fits all approach with hooks. Plus, the EWG hooks for everything.

Size Hooks to Use with Soft Plastics
Common hooks for soft plastics.

The options of soft plastics make one size or type of hook a bad choice. There are reasons for the different types and sizes of hooks. What are the rules or guidelines for hook sizes and types? The truth is there is an absence of hard and fast rules for hook selection.

Some plastics will have a recommended hook. Yet anglers are creative and use different hooks at times. This is good sometimes and bad at others. You need to follow a few basic guidelines for hook type and sizes.

Offset or EWG Hooks for Soft Plastics

People choose to use the extra-wide gap hooks for everything. The hooks are making you miss fish with the thinner soft plastics. Rigging worms use an offset worm hook. The point will set easier into the fish. Look at the hook geometry. An offset hook point is away from being in line with the eye. The EWG hook has the point in line with the eye and direction of being pulled. They slide out of a fish’s mouth more often.

The lines show the angle the hook moves when pulled. An offset will grab easier.

Pick the hook type by the thickness of the soft plastic. Thin plastics use an offset hook. The thicker plastics like lizards, craws, and big bugs use the EWG hook. You need a wider gap for the body to clear the hook point when doing a hookset.

Hook Sizes for Finesse Rigs

The right hook size increases the fish you will catch also. The right size hook allows the plastic to move as intended. Using hooks too big take away action. A hook too small with not end up in the fish’s mouth as often. You will need a couple of sizes of each type.

An octopus hook also goes by live bait or wacky rig hook. The hooks have a short shank and wide gap. The straight shank looks like an Aberdeen hook with thicker wire. The other hooks are clearly marked on the packaging. A few of the soft plastics use several hooks. This is due to different rigging options.

Size and Type of Hooks to Use with the Rigs

Hook Size Chart for Soft Plastics
Soft PlasticOffset HookEWGOctopus HookStraight Shank
4-7 inch worm3/03/0
8-12 inch worm4/0-5/04/0-5/0
Tube jig1/0-4/0
Finesse worms and rigs1-1/01/0-2/0
Craws or Bugs4/0-5/0
6″ lizard3/0
7-8″ lizard4/0
These are basic guidelines for hook sizes with soft plastics.

The tube jig has a larger range. Use a 1/0 hook with lighter lines if Texas rigging a tube 3 inches or smaller. If you use a 3 1/2 inch or larger tube use a 3/0 or 4/0 hook and heavier line. Rigging finesse worms with Texas-style rigging use a long shank hook. This is for dropshotting and a few other techniques.

The other soft plastics are straightforward. The thinner baits the offset hook is your best option. The thicker bait uses the EWG hook so there is room for the body. The fatter bodies will prevent getting a good hookset with an offset hook.

Conclusion

People use the same few hooks for everything. There are times a different hook works better. Do not limit your success by using the wrong hook size or type. Small changes can make a big difference. The hooks are a small cost. Adding more hooks in different types and sizes is worth a few dollars.


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