Light Wire Vs Heavy Wire Hooks....

[Mitch f]

I've often had this discussion with fellow fisherman about which hook penetrates quicker. I've heard of some solid test data to show that heavier wire hooks actually do penetrate with less pressure than light wires, but since I wasn't actually involved in the test I can't say for sure. I usually put a light wire hook on my jigs because I'm fishing rivers for smallmouth and not flipping weed beds for Large mouth. I also prefer to straighten out the hook and pull it free from a snag with a light wire hook, saving the jig and all the time it took to tie/create the jig. Which kind of hook do you guys prefer for most of your fishing?

[Flysmallie]

Which kind of hook do you guys prefer for most of your fishing?

A sharp one. Other than that I think they work close enough to the same. I tend to go with a lighter wire hook though.

[fishinwrench]

It's getting hard for me to find a light wire hook that doesn't bend too easy, or break too easy. I think alot of it depends on your hook setting technique. I hammer them pretty good so I can't get away with hooks that flex much.

If you have to "bend it back to shape" then it'll bend even easier the next time.... so you might as well loose it to a snag.

The Gama B10S that all the streamer guys love.....I break right and left, so I have settled on Mustad 34007

[Old plug]

I really think it is about the same depending on the equipment the hook setting is being dine on with. I nearly always use 04 abd 05 except with wacky and other finnese types even then I do not want a thin wire hook. They tend to pull free when casting more.

[MOsmallies]

I almost strictly use light wire hooks on all baits. I believe light wire hooks penetrate easier. The only exception is when fishing heavy cover or I need a little faster sink rate on weightless soft plastics (i.e flukes or senkos). I'll also use a heavier gauge hook when fishing buzz frogs (i.e. Stanley ribbit or horny toad).

[Al Agnew]

I always thought I set hooks about as hard as anybody, and I've caught a few big bass over the years, but I can't EVER remember a bass straightening out a light wire hook. All in all, I'll take a light wire hook just about any time, given the choice.

[Fishslayer88]

Only time i bend hooks is snaggs or if i hook a jawbone real good.

[fishinwrench]

I always thought I set hooks about as hard as anybody, and I've caught a few big bass over the years, but I can't EVER remember a bass straightening out a light wire hook. All in all, I'll take a light wire hook just about any time, given the choice.

Seriously?!!!

With "gear", Slider heads fished on 8# line, and hula grub jig hooks fished on 10-12# bend on me (in the fishes mouth) all the time. And it doesn't have to be a big fish.

It's REAL common for me to bend a 3/0 Gama or Owner offset worm hook on average sized LM during the spring lizard bite while wrestling one over a dock cable.

With fly tackle, 14+" whites will bend a standard wire Mustad 3366 hook on the strike, and can break a #4 Gama B10S fresh out of the package.

[Mitch f]

Seriously?!!!

With "gear", Slider heads fished on 8# line, and hula grub jig hooks fished on 10-12# bend on me (in the fishes mouth) all the time. And it doesn't have to be a big fish.

It's REAL common for me to bend a 3/0 Gama or Owner offset worm hook on average sized LM during the spring lizard bite while wrestling one over a dock cable.

With fly tackle, 14+" whites will bend a standard wire Mustad 3366 hook on the strike, and can break a #4 Gama B10S fresh out of the package.

I would guess you use stiffer and longer rods, I also think a slow steady pull will tend to bend them more than a hook set.

[fishinwrench]

With the Whites, if they suck in a clouser and stick the hook point straight in, at a 90°angle from my rod tip, and then I either do one of my instinctual hook sets, or the fish turns and does a powerful 180° away from me that hook bend has alot of pressure on it. Once it starts flexing it's gonna keep flexing/bending until the angle of pull between the point and eye is more favorable.

I think the bending/breaking happens when a fish hooks itself and THEN (with the hook point at 90° To the direction of line pull) you "set the hook".