+1.:hesaid That’s what I use as well.
Bob
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Here is picture of a 1/64 with a #6 eagle claw. Notice how the the tip of the hook is almost equal to the eye. Watched an older video from Richard where he talked about this problem and how was working with 4x4 Jig Company to design a better jig. That's the number one reason I alter my molds to accept a #4 hook in all sizes.
I am curious if you guys open your smaller hooks a bit.
I'm afraid if I use anything smaller than a #4 and I don't open them up it has tendency to bury up in the mouth.
Thanks and my apologies to the OP if this feels like a hi-jack Attachment 411201
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1/32,1/16,1/8 I use #2
Attachment 411215
Casting I use #6 and #8 on 2 lb line for 1/64 and 1/32, and #4 for 1/16. Trolling I use #4 and #2 for all between 1/32 and 1/8. If they’re mostly white crappie I’m trolling for I’ll bump up a size bigger with no Bad issues.
I have no clue if you watch my YouTube channel or not…but I catch lots of crappie on jig heads with a #10 and #8 hook with no issues at all. It is rare I lose fish doing this. I use them that small as I do not want to miss out on any bluegill that may hit. For years I thought one must use number 2…3….and 4 size hooks to be successful jigging for crappie. Nothing could be further from the truth. I do not boat lift crappie as most do. Due to the rods and very light lines I use that is not possible. I have tried open gaped hooks. What I can tell you from testing them out a lot is you will lose fish with them. These jig heads come from the manufacture with the open gap but it is the same as if you bend the hook up slightly. I gave about 50 dollars worth of them to my son…he reported same results as me…he loses fish. So now they are just sitting on a shelf.
Regards
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Yes I watch....Mr Shell cracker...
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so here in lies what many don't understand on hook sizes versus jig head weight
the light jig heads need light hooks to perform properly , a number 4 on a 1/32 is basically trash in my tackle bag
in some cases it makes them tail heavy and in others it tears up the micro plastic baits as well .
I got some 1/16 with number 4 hooks recently and they are almost to heavy on the hook size for the jig head .
one thing for certain , the more "real life" it looks in the water , the better it will ketch fish
8 on a 1/64 and 6 on a 1/32 are max ....
like stated 10 works really well on 1/64 and 8 does on 1/32 too ....just saying
Do you adjust the bend of your smaller jigheads?
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Good points, guys. Thanks for the tips!
Bob
When it comes to jig hook size, my only reason for chosing one size over another is a lure's body length with hook gap and jig weight always factors taken in comination. Take this example:
https://i.imgur.com/jQwgcGf.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/WV3O1t9.jpg
Too short or too long a hook shank have drawbacks. Fish target the whole lure IMO and a gap that is small above the top of the lure's body loses more fish IMO. Too long a hook makes a lure more fragile where the area joins the tail and rips easily. The hook on the 1/24 oz is a #6 (lt); on the 1/16, a #4 (rt). When it comes to gap, I sometimes widen the gap just a bit with pliers (left photo) for light hits or repeated hits from overly aggressive fish.
The hook size used with the 1/32 oz below is a #6:
https://i.imgur.com/BhoBjMF.jpg
The hook should come out 1/2 to 3/4 of the way from the body. Rarely do I need a tiny #8 hook for most of the lures I cast even with 1/32 or 1/64 oz jigs. This 3" stick bait still only required a #4 hook with a 1/24 oz.jig:
https://i.imgur.com/qPSvEwd.jpg?1
Jig head weight is dependent on how slow the retrieve regardless lure body length. I prefer a #2 hook when fish are biting plastic worms or sticks such as a 5" G.Y. Kut tail worm (lt) and worm (rt):
https://i.imgur.com/kZFDzdY.jpg?1https://i.imgur.com/41s4lZ3.jpg
Note: both jigs weights were 1/24 oz./ hook sizes #4 to allow the best lure action for this type of lure.
Hook size is never an issue when it comes to strike deterrence IMO whereas lure length and thickness are key coupled with hook gap and length. Many of my catches include 3" fish taken on 3" lures and #6 hooks.
https://i.imgur.com/Lqg3L89.jpg
Again, opinions vary based on experience as seen in the above replies, but my average catches range form 40-80 fish outings which include 3" - 15" pan fish and up to 2.5 lb bass using a multitude of soft plastic designs, jig head weights and hook sizes - nothing set in stone.