Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Bass Fishing => Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion => Topic started by: 6 lb Smallmouth on December 12, 2015, 08:22:46 AM

Title: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: 6 lb Smallmouth on December 12, 2015, 08:22:46 AM
As I have been taking inventory lately I realized how low my supply of drop shot hooks has become.  Here around Chicago I lose so much gear.  I lose 3-4 times as many tubes and drop shots around here than I do up  north in Northern Michigan. 

Anyways, I need to resupply with some drop shot hooks and I am wondering what everyone has found to be the best drop shot hook.  I mostly use 3"-4" worms, dream shots, and 3" senkos.  How about for a 3" Fat Ika or the 2.8 Keitech swimbait?  As always, I appreciate the info. 
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: djkimmel on December 12, 2015, 03:30:27 PM
I haven't found one I like better than all the others. I keep buying various drop shot hooks and Octopus hooks along with some finesse J hooks to try, and can't really make up my mind which ones work better...
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: 21XDC on December 13, 2015, 06:55:33 AM
My favorite in camo green, Non weedless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbV3pyo9F2I
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: fiker on December 13, 2015, 07:26:40 AM
I use the Owner Mosquito hook quit a bit.  Usually in the 2/0 or 1/0 size.   
Sometimes for beavers and such I'll use a 2/0 ewg and text pose it weedless.
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: Manxfishing on December 13, 2015, 07:05:42 PM
I like the Gam 1/0 DS hook
For a better hook up you can bend it open just a touch more
And it's nice that they sell them in a 25 pack these days

Just remember there's no real std. size
Brand X's 1/0 could or could not be bigger then brand Y's



Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: TimH on December 14, 2015, 09:11:31 AM
Quote from: Manxfishing on December 13, 2015, 07:05:42 PM
I like the Gam 1/0 DS hook
For a better hook up you can bend it open just a touch more
And it's nice that they sell them in a 25 pack these days

Just remember there's no real std. size
Brand X's 1/0 could or could not be bigger then brand Y's




I like the Gamakatsu 1/0 DS hook as well.  I've never opened them up a little more, but I will certainly try that tip out.  As others have said, I've tried a variety of hooks and can't say one works better than the other.  The only difference I have noticed is I seem to do a little better with the red hooks than the black/gray/gun metal (whatever color you want to call regular hooks).  My buddy and I were both fishing Nemesis Snipers in the Kent Lake Killer color with a 3/16 drop shot weight. He had a regular hook, I had a red hook.  At the end of the day I had caught five more than he did.  Not sure the red hook made the difference, but it was the only difference between our set ups.
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: djkimmel on December 15, 2015, 10:23:41 AM
I believe red makes them bite when they're aggressive but for some reason when it is off it is OFF! Like a switch. Red will get you a lot more bites at times but kill the bite at times so you have to experiment with and without it, and switch quick when it's apparent it is on or off. That's definitely been my experience with red lures and I mess around with red hooks quite a bit too.
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: Waterfoul on December 15, 2015, 03:09:11 PM
I've been using the Owner Downshot hooks for years now.  I like it because it is THE sharpest hook I have ever used.  It's light wire hook so no big hook sets for sure.   I also like it because  you can texas rig a worm on it very easily.  I use the 1/0 and 2/0 sizes exclusively.
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: 6 lb Smallmouth on December 16, 2015, 06:25:50 AM
Thank you for the responses.  I echo what several of you have said about not really finding one I prefer over another which is why I started this thread in the first place.  I have always used a variety of Owner and Gammy DS hooks in both red and black. 
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: YpsiBass on December 17, 2015, 09:13:15 AM
I use the Owner spinshot hooks almost exclusively. I always ended up with too much line twist with traditional drop shot hooks.  No more line twist issues on my drop shot rig for a couple of years now.
Title: Re: Drop Shot Hooks
Post by: capt charlie's charters on December 19, 2015, 07:03:43 PM
owner downshot hooks, love'm.  capt charlie