I keep watching videos and reading blogs with pro fishermen explaining why EWG hooks are so bad. I have to wonder what the pros are doing wrong because EWG hooks have worked better than anything I have ever used. Same thing with screw lock shakey heads. They work fine for me but many pros tell us they are bad medicine. I have been bass fishing since about 1965 and have learned to trust what works for me.

I went to a yard sale recently I purchased a bunch of true turn hooks they work great they have the off set at the lower end near the hook point you can stick some fish with them was popular in the late 70s

I grew up using a blue Mustad straight shank 3/0 and a Mann’s Jelly Wagler. When TruTurn came out I changed to that with Culprits. I started using Gamakatsu I began using an off set hook on Baby Brush Hogs ( and still do). I started using EWG when I started fishing thicker plastic like flukes and beavers. For me it’s about what works best for each application.

Not only the hook style but but I find a lot of people use too large of a hook. A 5/0 where a 3/0 works best a 3/0 where a 1/0 works better. I think it causes the hook to roll sideways on the hook set. I use an offset worm hook skin hooked on my worms with good success. A beefer bait may require an ewg as a do love my fluke's. Of coarse I don't use a screwdriver as a pry bar either.

Maybe the braid to fluoro gets better hook ups with the ewg?😊

I always skew the point of my ewg hooks to the side (right or left) to offset the point. It absolutely increased my hook ups.

Can’t never beat Okd Old School baby. Let’s Gooooo.

Totally agree Randy, I only use an EWG when I absolutely have to, I definitely prefer a straight shank

I've tried both EWG and straight shank hooks and I definitely notice a higher hooking percentage with EWG but I guess individual results can vary.

Try the Owner Haymaker EWG worm hook and you won't regret it.. 😉 👍

I agree with you for the most part. But a lot has to do with which EWG hook you’re using. Gamakatsu’s EWG hook point is directly inline with the eye of the hook. Not much gap or bite when you set the hook. Using an EWG with the hook point above or not directly inline with the eye GREATLY improves hookups and lands when an EWG is needed. Love the content. Thanks

I absolutely recommend subscribing to your channel. You are one of the best fishing instructors on KZfaq

I have used straight shank, but I find my soft plastics stay in place better on ewg. I tend to use a 3/0 ewg most the time and rarely miss fish.

Randy, you are the man. I appreciate all you talk about. Your experience/knowledge is amazing. I love the old school approach. Keep doing what your doing

I love EWG hooks. The number one key to using them is that you have to set the hook vertically. Because the hook point is in line with the eye, if you try to do a low back sweeping hook set, there's a chance it'll pop out of the fishes mouth. With a vertical hook set you'll drive the hook point up towards the lip and you'll get a very solid hook set. For going through cover they can't be beat.

I’ve found that running a lot more of the senko body up is better, I’ll usually run it over the eyelet and a bit onto the line even. It gets the hook point in a better spot on the bait and I miss way fewer fish.

Thank you so much for this video and the info. It has changed the way that if fish, makes my worms last longer using the heavy cover hooks and hardly lose a fish now. Again thanks loads.

I started using circle hooks and they work very good.

I just Truly Wanted To Thank For Sharing the Awesome Knowledge about Bass Fishing that you Do Mr Randy and not being a 🐓 like alot of Pros that dont know half of what you Know ,God Bless You and Your Family and God Bless America 🇺🇸 🙏🇺🇸 Nick Causey MSG U.S.Army Ret.

Yeah dude, I happily subscribed. This is the third video of yours I've come across, and its the third video that has been immensely helpful.

Tommy Biffle uses ewg on a lot of his fishing and has tournament wins with it I think it is operator error when fish get off

Also a tip for if you mess up putting your plastic on (happens to the best of us) to the point where it has a cut that effects it’s action, just get another hook and heat the loophole side with a lighter, then melt your plastic back together with the hot metal 🤙🏼 Also helps if you store your plastics w hooks cuz they tend to get marked up

Interesting, I use ewg hooks religiously and can’t think of a rime I lost a fish because of the hook. If they take the bait and I do my part there hooked. I have started using worm hooks (off set straight shank round bend)a little this year because I had a few in the box, with similar results. Keep the videos coming, always informative.

I agree, I use an Eagle Claw straight shank hook most of the time.

Dude use a screw lock style hook for the fluke and toads. You get perfect separation from the plastic when they bite and you’ll get a much better hook set and since I’ve started using them for flukes I land SOOOOO MUCH more fish. It does suck screwing your baits in but man it’s worth it!!

Lost me with this one lol but appreciate the video as always I’ve barely rarely ever lost a fish on an EWG actually I don’t ever remember losing any fish on an EWG 😅

I prefer the ewg hook with the screwlock for 95 percent of my texas rig fishing.i still use the strait shank hook for flipping and pitching

Seriously I use a EWG and dont have many fish coming off.

Best Hooks I have Found for Salmon Fishing on the Kenai

Gamakatsu has a newer "hybred" hook that Mike McClelland helped develop and it is a very good hook for most all conditions unless you need a straight shank flipping hook

I’ve been using the owner haymaker this year and really like it. Kind of a cross between the two.

I despise EWG. You classified them together but for me, offset round bend is the ticket for a lot of TX rigs. Simply look at the shape of the hook. The point of the hook rides higher than the eye on offset and straight shank. With EWG it's inline with the eye and ironically, there's no gap that gives a clear path for the point to sink into the fish. Pretty much have to use EWG for larger swimbaits but I try to use offset or straight for everything I can. I discovered my love for straight shank with a shakey head. I like the style with just a straight shank hook with some lead - no screw locks or lead keepers or anything like that. Hookup ratio is far better. And fwiw, I prefer a horizontal line tie on a shakey. I feel like the vertical leaves room for the knot to slide up or down the eye and work against your leverage on a hookset.

The manufacturer only has to make the bend a little more curvy and everything stays on the hook better. Pass it on.

I have noticed the same with reaction strikes. I guessing about 5%-10% better hook sets without EWG. However EWG is great in heavy cover.

You're correct about the hooking angle of straight shank being better. I use ewg for the versatility. I usually carry 4-5 rods with me, so instead of wasting time cutting off and retying, I can throw all of my T rigs on one hook. I rarely lose bites, except when my tube bunches up on the hook, or I hook back into the plastic instead of the fishes mouth.

I noticed thebsame thing with the ewg. But then i was looking i was using ewg offset. I went to the store and saw ewg superline and noticed a massive difference. The offset ewg was a thinner wire hook the superline ewg and barley and flex in the tip of the hook. The superline ewg was getting the fish in the roof of the mouth and i noticed the ewg offset was hooking the more in the cheek so once that fish shook it came off. Ewg superline hook is WAY BETTER

After 40 years of Fishing I agree, thank you.

EWG's are my go to hook. Never a problem.

Skin hook it on the side!!!! Freakin brilliant!!!! Thanks for the share Randy 🤙💯

I've learned that about 15 years ago and won't ever use EWG hooks anymore. Lost too many and when I lost 2 five pounders in a row I got really frustrated and I checked my soft plastic and the point of the hook was still skin hooked on both of the 5 pounders! Anytime you have have have the hook point pointing at your line tie you will loose some fish! These fish are not initially hooked! They inhale your bait and shut their mouth then come up to jump and when they open their mouth your bait just flies out of their mouth! I'll either use a straight shank or an offset round bend and problem solved!

You made a good point. I'll have to experiment for myself. I like the EWG design for the way it holds the baits. However, I like catching fish more!

Round bend worm hooks - the best of both .

I did switch to a straight shank about 5 years ago. Figured it out almost the same way you did, went with a buddy and forgot my good hook box, but there was a pack of straight shanks laying in the bottom of my bag. Landed all those fish that day on a D bomb. I sure wish I could make it work on magnum tubes that I love to flip, and I've tried but you still have to use those darn EWGs on the tube.

Randy I have a EWG Ned head that I get from Kastking. It is a super light wire hook, and yes it bends easy, but the fish practically hook themselves. You should try them.

Man I tried the trokar straight shank yrs ago flipping I had horrible hook up rate, threw them things in the lake

I use a 2 ot superfine ewg for my walmart craws,and a 3 ot round bend on the senco. These are tested by myself and my medium action rod w 30lb braid.and I Crack em hard as effe.... and the hookups are good. I've lost only 1 on the ewg,and I switched to round bends Till I got the superline hooks. They hold up to my wicked hooksets, and I've only lost 1 from balling up the plastic, so I added the swivel to pin the craw,and now it's 💰. But I use both w confidence in different applications. Go Randy 🎣

I use either Gamakatsu SUPERLINE EWGs or Berkley Fusion EWGs. Always in either 2/0 or 3/0. They don't flex like the larger, non-Superline EWGs do.

I had this happen all day long a few months ago! I would have won that tournament if I could have boated my fish! But I did lose a few on a shaky head and a biggen on a spinner bait but I lost so many texas rigging the EWG!

I use all hook styles. They all work fine. I have however recently switched to a straight shank when using a vertical presentation like flipping, or senkos

Thank you for sharing I will be changing hooks

But I appreciate the tips and knowledge experience you give us old anglers!!!!😉

Well Randy this will make me and you both happy but I am a subscriber 😂

I guess you can always comfort in the knowledge the other competitors also lost fish. Recently I noticed fishing with a lizard it was balling up on the hook. So I bought some with bait keepers. We’ll see if that changes anything.

Good Stuff Randy, I have switched over to the gamakatzu gfinnesse straight shanks for the same reason.

I found that out first pack I ever bought. I fish a 2/0 off set shank hook which is completely different than the EWG extra wide gap. The gap for baits sucks. But don’t slam the off set it works maybe better than straight shank.

I have had good results with the EWG hooks. I will try the straight shank ones more and see if they work better.

Many bass fishermen will agree with you... Many will bend the ewg where the point or angle of the point is not in line with the eye lit... Allowing for better hook sets...

Everything you said makes sense. I still swear by the offset shank round bend hooks. I don't normally use the ewg. The regular offset shank worm hooks aren't that great.

Not all EWGs are bad. But on some EWG offsets the hook point is vertically in line with the eye, which doesn’t leave much room for the mouth of the fish (especially LMB) to enter the gap. I’ve been bending my offset EWG’s out so that the hook point is outside the line of the eye and have had good luck with that, but I prefer to use a straight shank hook whenever possible.

Gonna start trying the ol straight shank thanks Randy!

I’ve limited EWG hooks to weightless baits like a stick bait or fluke. I’ve moved to worm and flippin hooks more since the hook point is offset from the eye of the hook. In theory it makes the hook go through the plastic rather than the bait getting balled up.

I agree, i use straight shank hooks for 95 percent....and rarely lose fish.

Been fishing since the 70's. I personally miss 3-4 times as many fish on straight shanks vs offset EWG.

I have found this to be true with many of the EWG brands. But when I started using Trokar's version, my hook up ratio went way up. For me, EWG's are beneficial with some of today's thicker plastic baits baits and the Trokars work well for me.

EWG for swimbaits only. Straight shank for everything else.

I agree 100%, its just so much less comfortable to rig worms on a straight shenk hook

Straight shanks don't work for me. Either the plastic rides down the shank because there's not enough keeper or the keeper is so big it tears up the plastic. In theory they are better for flipping and pitching but I distance cast far more than I flip and pitch anyway. I seriously doubt I will ever buy another pack of straight shank hooks, for me they're no better than a tru turn

Spot on!!!!

Hi Randy, Steve Kennedy says use the smallest EWG possible or strongest straight shank. I think the the fish tell you.

For me it depends on the bait. Beavers and craws I’ll use straight shank but with tubes and flukes I’ll throw an ewg.

Good tip. I have to agree with the worm you showed in the video that a straight shank is better, but for fatter soft plastic, like the senko, the EWG has had a near 100% hook up ratio for me. Also, I have tried the Gamakatsu G finesse hook you mentioned. Good hook, but the keeper is horrible. Try the Owner Cover Shot and Cover Shot HD. I side skin the hook the same way, and this hook works far better.

The new owner Haymaker is a great combination of the straight shank and a EWG

🤣...... I was once a subscriber, now i pick and choose the non-sense! Gotta sift through the bad apples ya know......🤣

I wondered about this! Great insight, too bad I didn't watch it until after I lost fish today.

Offset round bend works good! Tried EWG when they first came out , didn’t like the results.

It’s how you’re rigging it. The EWG hook point is designed to come out of the bait then back in. I don’t hook shit either if I leave it embedded IN the worm with EWG. Not made for that.

Other than flipping, I use an offset round bend on thinner baits. How well does the side skinned worm, brushhog come through the grass?

Randy, how about a Gama skip gap hook? It is EWG, but with the different angle (closer to SS) could ya have best of both worlds? Works with tubes. thx. KyakR

Are you tying a snell knot onto the straight shank?

All Facts. I agree!

Came to this same conclusion 2 years ago for the exact reasons you list.

Thank you for the video.

Hi Randy, what knot do you recommend with the straight shank Flippin hook?

Interesting. You obviously fish a lot more then I do but I just haven't had issues with EWGs like you described. I am a pretty avid fisherman for over 30yrs and I was sold on the EWGs long ago. I would say since I started using EWGs I may have had skin hooks or plain miss hooks maybe 3 times. Its food for thought though. I still have my old bait keeper straight shanks if I ever have an issue.

The Berkley fusion 3/0 and the fat body robo bold bluegill on split shot rig

Or try that Berkeley fusion it’s and ewg offset worm hook hybrid and it’s honestly great caught my PB with one and I had lost like 6 potential PBs b4. This one did not come off.

you have given me much food for thought ref straight shank hooks one nagging question when using fluorocarbon do you use a snell knot?

The 3/0 Berkeley fusion flipping hooks are all that

I never had success with those hooks. I’ll stick with straight shank or bent with a spring screw.

Have you used the Ringed EWG’s? I punch & flip with them and very rarely miss fish and honestly can’t remember having one come off.

I use a worm hook for every thing as big as I can get away with.

I've watched several of your videos and never realized I haven't subscribed, I have now subscribed and I'll definitely try the straight shank Gamakatzu's Thank you

I fish the straight shank (with an offset) for any worm-like bait and I use the EWG for all of my creature baits. It works for me. Note sure why. Confidence, maybe?

Have you tried the new owner haymaker .. kind of solves the problem of the regular ewg . I haven't tried it yet what's your opinion thanks

No expert but my very first bass was last week and i was using a texas rig with EWG 3/0

Maybe you should try a 2/0 egg so you are comparing apples to apples. I would like to know how that comparison goes

Owner Haymaker. End of discussion.

I like the smallest hook I can get away with most of the time. Doesn't matter if it's soft plastics or live bait.

Never had an issue of losing fish on EWG hooks🤷

$63 for a hoodie Randy? Seems pretty ridiculous