Originally Posted by
GrumpyLoomis
The hook dilemma is an on going experiment. The only time the short shank hook has made a measurable difference to me is live minnow fishing. Live minnows here are hard to come by in high quality so I just skip buying them. If I am fishing a hand tied jig I like my shorter hook and tie a short tail. then and Berkley live gulp for dressing. I am a hook bender though. I will bend the hook out to the side several degrees and it improves hookups. Not in heavy brush though. Great discussion here folks.
Thanks….and I don’t think you’re grumpy at all.
I studied circle hooks and experimented with them extensively, and shared with many others the many things that I had gathered. I prefer an “Off Set Circle” hook over a “True Circle” hook, which has no such bend as you describe. I felt same as you- more hook ups. I have not altered my fine jig hooks in such fashion, but soon will no doubt. Be assured actually.
Thanks for mentioning your insight. I learned that it all has something to do with how easily the tip sticks something…..or misses. I have seen videos of fish playing Yo-Yo, and inhaling and spitting right back out. Growing up as a fish, I reckon, you end up biting all sorts of things you don’t want to actually eat. You get good at quickly determining and learn to be prepared to spit. Imagine you biting into a Wendy’s cheeseburger, and you felt something odd, how quickly you could spit that. Well fish grab our baits and I imagine many do make an attempt to spit. DeathScope could probably show such activity live.
While long lining- A Crappy is alerted that there is an object. They compare the sensations to those things from their past. Historically this - means that. They then track the object. If interested they make an approach that should offer a position from which to strike. They further analyze their clues given to their other senses as they get closer. Then they lock in and charge in for the attack. Upon capture they often times will turn, and this is where an off-set circle really shines. So your modification is very interesting to me. The trolling motor sets all my hooks. If as that TM pulls the jig back out of their mouth, if it turns and finds a spot to stick……well the deal is done right there. He will thrash and resist and that will slide the tip through and he is in to the bend. My rod indicates and I reel him in.
So do you bend to the right or to the left, and does that change for different sides of the boat, and does it make the lure spin ?
Maybe they will bite this one……