I am looking at using a long shank hook for my big (9"+) plastics. I had talked with Steve McKenna and he recommended one but can't for remember what it was. I have found an owner hook that might fit the bill but was wondering if anyone has used one. It should come out at about midway on the 9" sluggo and eliminate the need to double rid it. Thanks.

I am looking at using a long shank hook for my big (9"+) plastics. I had talked with Steve McKenna and he recommended one but can't for remember what it was. I have found an owner hook that might fit the bill but was wondering if anyone has used one. It should come out at about midway on the 9" sluggo and eliminate the need to double rid it. Thanks.
Not sure I'd want one coming out midway... loose too much action. Yeah, I tried it too.

I would recommend the double rig but the 8/0 O'Shaughnessy by Mustad is commonly used.

I rig my sluggos 2 ways.

1. the two hook method-which I fish a little faster; and
2. the 1 hook MUSTAD 8/0 style- which I fish a little slower and more methodically (like a bucktail)

They both work and have their advantages in certain situations and both methods really work

The other hook is the Excalibur 9/0. Here's all three hooks together.

I like that owner 11/0 hook alot.. i found that you can crimp a few 1/4 oz splitshot on the bottom of the hook to gain an ounce..... kind of the same theory that bob from Ledgerunner has with winding solder on the hook...
Its my firm belief that there is no wrong way to rig a soft plastic bait- if the waters shallow go weightless, if its deep, use a jig head or a tin squid. I will say that hook shank length is important when you double hook rig them... the shorter the shank, the better. (more wiggle)

[QUOTE=
2. the 1 hook MUSTAD 8/0 style- which I fish a little slower and more methodically (like a bucktail)=QUOTE]


thats how i fish mine basically except i use a single 7/0 gami HD with 4 finishing nails in the head to keep it down. i kinda jig it like a bucktail but a little quicker and more often, if that makes sense. i miss a lot of small fish but the bigger ones inhale them...

I like that owner 11/0 hook alot..

I've been using that 11/0 Owner Oversized Worm Hook for 7 or 8 years now in larger plastics and it's worked very well for me.

I've been using that 11/0 Owner Oversized Worm Hook for 7 or 8 years now in larger plastics and it's worked very well for me.
I know- Rockhound turned me on to it after you showed him.

Thanks for all the replies. I had thought about the restriction in motion but did not think it a big deal given that you put in nail weights in the middle.

Will try the Owner but the wider (looking) gap on the Excalibur looks nice. I have lead that I sometimes use when tying flies so will vary things that was as well.

tim

I'm with you timf. Big mouth hooks give one a better chance of getting up and around that lip bone and not just snag a little skin.

Anybody try circle hooks on soft baits? If you want the wiggle but a nice hookset would that work? 11/0 - 12/0 circle?

Anybody try circle hooks on soft baits? If you want the wiggle but a nice hookset would that work? 11/0 - 12/0 circle?

I have tried circles on slug-gos, and I pernsonaly did not like them. The problem I found was involved mostly with the hookset. If like me you retrieve a slug-go quickly with a contsant jigging action you'll have trouble. The fish tend to hit on the very biref pause that occurs between rod twitches. That being said the next twitch you make after the fish picks up he lure is the beginning of your hook set inadvertently. So I was constantly missing fish.

However, if your in the "slow and low" school of fishing jerk baits you still may want to consider trying circles. This technique allows more control over your set. People may have had different experiences, but this is just what I've found to be the case.

May have to get a couple packages of both and do a little experiment. If I come up with anything I will surely post.

It looks like yum's 9" shad comes with the 9/0 excalibur which I hope is better than the one that the sluggos come with. In addition it is 3.5" inches from the eye to the bend.

tight lines (soon!)