Don’t Use This Hook With Your Soft Plastics?

[@willperryman4559]

You’re really putting in the work and posting solid videos on a regular basis and I appreciate it Matt💯🍀🎣🍀

[@wesleyryhal3930]

💯

[@MattStefanFishing]

I appreciate that!

[@johngarner9929]

One key point - the EWG style hook have the points of the hook more inline with the eye, whereas the offset hook point is about 1/8 of an inch offset from the hook’s eye. I prefer straight shank worm hooks but that is just me. I have learned a lot from your videos - you are a class act.

[@jasonsparks4601]

So twist the ewg a touch so it's a little offset....just a thought

[@Tackletuesdayfishing]

Glad you made this comment. In the video he kinda explained the term “offset” incorrectly.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@catchofthedave8681]

Oh Matt, great video. About 2 years ago I was losing a lot of fish on t-rigs, and really everything. I started doing a deep dive into hooks and changing out trebles on cranks and stuff, and trying different things with flipping and texas rigs. In my experience, most ewg hooks while they have a wide gap, the hook point is almost perfectly in line with the front flat part of hook before the bend. It works out great for rigging because your baits can be perfectly straight when you tex-pose the hook tip. The problem is, if the fish doesnt eat it right, you will pull the bait right out of its mouth with no hookup because the point is so perfectly inline with eye and front of hook. The offset worm hook you notice the point of the hook sits significantly higher than the front of the hook, to me it hooks up much easier. So the absolute best hooks for a general texas rig or flipping when its not super heavy or thick cover, is the offset worm hook, or with a thicker bait i like the gamakatsu g-finnes hybrid worm hook. Its kinda like an offset worm hook, and an ewg combined, and the hook point is higher than the eye and straight part of front of hook so it hooks them almost every time. Dont let the thin gfinesse offset worm hook fool you, it is hardened and very strong and does not bend out easy, and I think it's the best of both worlds. Everyone has their own little tests and experiences they have done, and plain and simple, everyone has differences in the way they fish certain techniques. Different rods, different line, different hooksets, etc. For me, I like the thinnest hooks i can get away with, and hooks that are shaped and angled to hookup the easiest without a super strong hookset. Since I fish from a kayak, I get bit a lot from a sitting position, so I can not always get the perfect angle and power into a hookset. Sometimes I'm at weird angles and can not get good power, so I have to compensate by using softer rods and thin hooks to kinda auto-set as I sweep the rod. But like you said, for everyone out there, they have to find the hooks that work the best for them and the way they fish. There really is no universal "best" piece of gear. There is however the "best" piece of gear for your style of fishing, and it just takes some trial and error and time on the water fishing to figure it out. Thanks for the content Matt, and good luck on the BPT bro..

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@adamlightner8145]

I agree I personally don't use ewg hooks on any texas rigs anymore and my hook up ratio increased with the offset worm hook wide by Owner .

[@JLaird-ji1qr]

Got a lake map break down for a lake I was unfamiliar with but had the ability to fish for 3 days……. Made a world of difference having the information

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it helped!

[@truthsleuth271]

Great video. A tip that I use when using an extra thick bait with an EWG, like a keitech swing impact fat for example…I take my needle nose pliers and bend the hook out just slightly. That small amount will dramatically increase your hook-up ratio. Thanks for all your tips…they are consistently good ones.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@jwluciano]

Great explanation on the EWG for the bigger bulkier soft plastics and the offset worm hook for the skinnier baits.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@4ReelAnglin]

Thank you! This is super helpful! I usually just use a EWG but I am going to try and match my hooks to the type of bait I use!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

I do like to use the regular offset warm hook on a creature bait in heavy grass if it's not too thick of a plastic. Sometimes the EWG hooks on the grass while fighting a fish more than the regular one. That's if I still get enough bite gap depending on the bait

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@chrisfoley3320]

Years ago i made a change to the gamakatsu skip gap hook. The bait never slides down the hook and never needs ajusting. Its extremely sharp and will hold up to 10pounders without bending out. The most important thing is i never miss a fish,if they bite they are caught. Great info man

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@JerryMona]

Thanks Matt. Your guidelines for EWG vs worm hooks is almost exactly what I typically do. Only difference is that I prefer to use straight-shank hooks when pitching creature baits. I also use EWGs when texas-rigging thicker worms like Senkos (for the same reason you mentioned - extra bite gap).

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff!

[@craigstevens9734]

Some times I use a true turn hook when it's tough .Haven't had a fish straighten it out but almost it gets extra bites Thanks for video Appreciate.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@FutureBassmaster4469]

100% Watch squad, thanks for the info bro! Fishing a 2 dryer here in Ohio next Saturday and Sunday. It's my 1st time fishing alone, not In the back with my pops. Nervous to sat the least but going to have fun!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@damnitman1969]

Caught the biggest flounder I’ve ever seen on the other day on one just for the record. Tight lines bro.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@S2pidMedia]

Me personally, unless I'm throwing really big creature baits in the prespawn or immediate post spawn, I usually use a 1/0 or 2/0 ewg for everything. If I'm fishing a tournament, I'll carry 12 rods and everything will be the ideal, but if I'm just out to relax and have fun, less is more, and I'll only carry 4 to 6 rods, and my plastics rods will be ewg hooks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@Hshshdfb]

Love this kind of content thank you for breaking this down it really helps

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LowBrowFishing]

I prefer to use a worm hook with a stickbait or other worm, but I've actually gotten to where I'm using a straight shank or flipping hook with most of my other plastics. Although that's not 100% of the time. But I think, for me at least, it might just be a preference thing.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@chrischrist7982]

Excellent thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

You're welcome!

[@ggw7948]

Owner haymaker ewg is the deal.....started using it last year and never lose fish. It has an offset unlike most ewgs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@Triple87]

I tend to use EWG for everything. I find I get snagged a lot more with a worm hook. I’m a bank angler, so the less chance I have to get snagged, the better.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@manofthehour1983]

Straight shanks Trigging and skin hooking for the baits side have really helped with hook ups

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Great video & explanation on the two hooks!! I use them like you do bulkier bait EWG & Worm Offset. Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@erniesanders3724]

Excellent tips Matt. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

Really good point on the difference. I mostly use the EWG as it tends to not be swallowed by the fish as easily. Just my observation anyway. Carolina rig seems to be really bad about it as you can’t feel the bite as easily with a giant weight between you and the fish.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharinf

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@seizedcarcass8440]

I’ve gotten to the point that offset worm hooks just don’t matter to me. I use straight shank or EWG exclusively because I can downsize my EWG and achieve a similar result. Also I like that the EWG has a deeper bite in the center which I feel allows for a better hook set. I use offset worm hooks on occasion still but not nearly as often.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@johnnyweaver1300]

The EWG hook I do use it for every texas rig plastic, but I can see on them the line tie & hook point are even, I don't know if that gets me less bites or not! 👍🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the info!

[@davehuggins5777]

Good explanation. I do use the EWG with the mag speed worms though because they're thicker and I find I get better hookups.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@Tackletuesdayfishing]

In Florida , I’ve found the offset hook to be a lot better in heavy grass and pads. I use the EWG for flukes, stick baits, and also a Carolina rig since I don’t mind skin hooking the bait on that rig.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

This is good info. I recently started trying SnakeLocks hooks and Texas Eye jigs. Both have EWG swinging hooks. I love the action they give lures but I seem to have a bad hookup ratio with them. A lot of times it's little fish that aren't easy to hook on jig heads either. But today something was ripping out line and had me all excited and it got off the hook. It was most likely a nice redfish. I caught a couple baby flounders, a couple little black sea bass, a lizard fish and a big spot. It was too weedy for the Hover Rigs. Anything with an exposed hook caught grass and even the weedless rigs caught some. I sure wish I could figure out hooking fish on those hooks, I missed some good bites.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@kj197734]

I said I would never give up my Owner hooks. The Haymaker is a difference maker if someone is looking for a unique EWG hook. But I have also gotten into the BKK Basilisk hook for worms. It is another unique O'Shaugnessy hook that surprised me.

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s a good hook!

[@raybrenneman7240]

Good video! Might I suggest using Gamakatsu g finesse hybrid worm hook for both creature and worms. Started using them this year for summer 10” worms and expanded my use to big senkos, 4” pit boss and 3.5” yamatanuki . I used 1/0-5/0 and almost never lost a bass. Usually the bass was hooked through the bone 1-1.5” back from the front of the mouth. The offset bend is a little more z shape thus holding the bait better from balling up. They come 1/0-8/0. Just pick the right size and you won’t be disappointed in the performance.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thabks

[@vernonsimmons4578]

This was really helpful! Many thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joeturner1195]

Great job thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge appreciate you

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanks Matt. Back to basics, Its a fact when worm fishing you get more bites with the worm hook. I have tried both many times on worms and now I only use the offset worm hooks. Have you tried the gamagatsu hybrid worm (EWG) yet? I thought I would be using the gammy EWG forever but the hybrid just goes clean through every time.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I have but haven’t had enough experience with it yet

[@vincentlivoti4184]

Matt have you tried the Gamakatsu G-Finesse hybrid worm hook? It is the best of both EWG and Worm hooks. It is a tournament grade wire hook. I have yet to loose a fish I hooked.

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s a good hook

[@GodOfThunder6789]

I don’t even own any EWGs anymore. It’s either offset or straight shanks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@randallrandolph4977]

Love your videos, they are easy pesy for a Jethro like me to learn from. But can you teach us how to fish points and ledges?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Will do

[@Larry77777]

Hey Matt: My observations: Some KZbinrs on their thick plastics insist on a flippin' hook rather than a EWG. But that requires the hook point to be hidden at an angle, not through and parallel. I think the angle arrangement creates a worse hookup ratio and so I will stick with Texas-rigged EWG for thick plastics.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I don’t like straight shank

[@johnrayner5599]

Great tips!!! I totally agree with you.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@mistertwister1816]

Matt, for the offset hook with worm I see you have chosen a round bend. These offset hooks also come in the O’Shaughnessy bend style. Which do you prefer and why?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I like both. For thicker worms like magnum speed worms i like the round bend and smaller body worms like a power worm i like the oshaughnessy

[@georgebramblett6078]

With a bigger worm like a 10.5" 12" or bigger would you recommend just using the EWG hook

[@joefish63]

Exactly. Even some shorter but bulkier worms like the 5.75" Netbait Big Bopper or either of the Zoom Speed Worms....an EWG makes more sense.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nope I’d use a 7/0 to 11/0 offset worm hook

[@wesleyryhal3930]

Great tips as always!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@davidcloyd1296]

Great explanation

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brianwardrup3926]

Thanks matt much needed info. I've been wandering why I've been missing fish I dont use a EWG with my pit boss and it makes a tone of sense so thanks going to change that now

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help

[@Altered76]

I cant stand ewg hooks they do nothing for me but cost me fish. The hook point has the eye blocking it what a great (sarcasm) idea. I love the pit boss. Its my go to pitching bait. A strait shank flipping hook 4/0 or 5/0 has no problem with it. I don’t know what genius thought a hook with metal right in front of the point was going to help hookups but clearly it was a brilliant marketing scheme. Considering there is no proof a problem existed with plastics especially a soft plastic like the pit boss. Sometimes I think anglers and the fishing industry dream up or intentionally make up garbage to see if it sells. Carry on sir 😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@adamlightner8145]

I agree most of those guys are sponsored by these hook companies. An offset worm hook worked 30 years ago on a 10 inch worm and that's a lot of plastic, now you telling me a 4 inch plastic needs an ewg hook 😂.

[@scottlytton5328]

Makes perfect sense to me

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@douglasspickler4925]

That sounds good to me. Great advice. Thanks for sharing.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@darrelljohnson4658]

Good class thanks 😊

[@MattStefanFishing]

You are welcome!

[@joeyhelton7114]

Great info! Thanks Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@gregbroyles2908]

Great tips!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@SpookyRedz]

The EWG I use on toads , For worms I use the other one round bend

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@swimbaitonaprairie9359]

what hook do you prefer on a soft jerk jerk? great video

[@clintperry799]

Well stated , 👍 thanks !

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you liked it!

[@richardbossman9875]

How do straight shank “worm”hooks play into this, where/ when would you use them rather than these two options?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ll do a video on it

[@ZZ430T56]

IMO both of these style hooks you will go through a pack of baits real fast as the nose tears. I prefer the Owner style with the twistlock. I get 100 of the "Hitch hiker" on Amazon and your favorite brand choice of 4/0 60 degree jig hooks. Baits last so much longer and point lays flat. Especially weak softer baits like the Yamamoto Senko, Fat Ika, and Yamatanuki.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@chriscurtis8577]

I have another question for you does it matter what size big hug you use on your stick baits

[@MattStefanFishing]

I like a 3/0 or 4/0

[@siryarwammowray3445]

Thx good information 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@chriscurtis8577]

Yes that does make sense with different sized fish hooks I think it would be better that way that way you have different size hooks to use for yourself a sick

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@willperryman4559]

Matt, have you tried the ringed ewg hooks 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ve been using the Gammie ringed hooks with some craw style plastics,but fishing has been tough so I haven’t figured out if there’s any advantage

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep i love them

[@bobjohnston5527]

I use VMC EWG for both. I changed back and forth all the time

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@bobjohnston5527]

@MattStefanFishing Thank you. I forgot to mention that the VMC hooks has a keeper barb just under the line tye. No more softbaits sliding down the hook

[@mikeeller557]

Thanks Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@VictorVectorMusic]

You forgot to mention probably the most popular plastic there is, a Senko. EWG's is all I use with them.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@randallrandolph4977]

What’s the best hook for swim baits some seem to change there actions.

[@MattStefanFishing]

The Core Tackle TUSH! www.tacklewarehouse.com/Core_Tackle_The_Ultimate_Swimbait_Hook_-_TUSH/descpage-CTUS.html?from=MSFG

[@rorygillespie719]

Not sure because so many individuals who talk about hooks say the same thing, but I believe the offset has to do with the relationship between the point of the hook and the eye. An offset hook point is above the eye, hence, offset. The EWG hook point is inline with the eye. Both hooks have the bend in the shank to act as a bait holder of sorts. Hybrid EWGs have a wide gap and a hook point offset from the eye. I could be wrong.

[@jimliechty2983]

Offset h hook has nothing to do assets relationship of the eye and the point. Offset is the bend in the shank that you are calling the bait holder

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for aharing

[@PHATBASSASSASSIN]

I use the Hayabusa haymaker and that’s a bad ass ewg hook cause of the bite

[@PHATBASSASSASSIN]

But yes I agree besides that hook

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@larrywigmore1243]

Hey Matt have a question for you. When you're punching heavy mats do you use just a straight shank hook. Do you tie a snell knot.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nope i don’t use straight shank anymore

[@moicau]

Thanks alot, and what hook for Fat Ika?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Ringed EWG

[@moicau]

@@MattStefanFishing Thanks a lote!

[@ivymoore2368]

Matt I enjoyed the videos. All the time. Would you allow me to shadow you. I need to learn some fishing etiquette?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha!

[@jimmyjackson2361]

Does one get snagged more than the other?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not that i notice

[@fadethenoise9704]

What are your thoughts on the hybrid hooks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’m liking some of them

[@stefanbertasz4690]

I stopped using both about 6 months ago. Maybe I'm full of sh*t but I think I'm ahead of you pros on this. I use Gamy med wire flippin hooks on everything but jerkbaits. For those I use the Gamy 3/0 hybrid. I side hook those flippin hooks on everything....senkos, worms, fat ikas etc. My hook up ratio is damn near 100% now. I caught 2 bass today using 3/0 flippin hook with a Yamatunuki. Again....i always side hook. . I believe this may be the new thing in the future. EWG hooks suck!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Stick with what you have confidence in

[@kennethfilas7979]

What about straight shank hooks for worms?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not a big fan

[@andrewbrowning-gm7nd]

I use 2/0 or 3/0 for everything and almost never lose a fish. I lost more fish with the bigger hooks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@liveonguitar5625]

tl;dr EWGs for bulkier craws/creatures, worm offsets for longer skinnier baits like senkos

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@glenndaugherity6187]

What about a fluke Matt ? Which hook ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I use a bunch of different hooks for flukes depending on conditions

[@edwardclark3980]

Dude you gotta crank bait lure you can spare lol. Dang.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@Edward-ci8yl]

The g lock is a better hook then the ewg,

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@slimquinn5692]

👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielhedrick9917]

Do u do any shorts? I think you'd be good at them and boost your viewers, but they dont alert, so i dont know that ive ever seen any from u...

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ve done a few

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@mikea327]

Stop using this hook? I got click baited 😆

[@MattStefanFishing]

Come on

[@skankhunt4527]

We know how a EWG hook works you derp.

[@MontySuggs]

Your full of it bud.i will show you the difference.rig a fluke wide gap you will miss 3out of 5 the wide gap is pointed down in the bait.take the hook bend it up catch 4out of five .the worm hook is best

[@MattStefanFishing]

Did you watch the video I’m saying there is a difference but if someone doesn’t agree they should stick to what they have confidence in

[@i1bike]

Is it possible that even this subject had to be explained and filmed ? Are we already living in an idiocracy ? Are fishermen that dumb ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Why do you waste your time with negativity…

[@i1bike]

@@MattStefanFishing Come on man, come on. It is a valid comment, i didnt try to be negative. I just dont know if is it worth explaining that. Cuz if they dont get that alone, then it is a WONDER that some car doesnt kills them on the crosswalk XD