Continuing jigtosser's Train of Thought...Jig Hook Size?

Good topic for conversation from jigtosser. Jig hook size versus hangups. We all know that if you crappie fish, you're going to get hung up. There are ways to get your jig back, or just break it off....but how do you feel about the size of the hook in relation to hanging up?

My old fishing buddy had the thought that if we were fishing smaller sticks, he wanted a larger hook, one that would hang the stick, but not actually imbed the hook, so you could shake it off. On bigger sticks or trees, he wanted the smaller hook.

I just like the #4 sickle hook, so that's what I use, not really worrying one way or the other.

Thoughts?

size 4 is my favorite

2's and 4's for most but also some 6 for tube jig heads and some small minnow heads. Sickles or regular jig hooks.

Hook size does make for stretching the gray matter and offer new experiments to break up the boredom. I do know this, when i manufactured spinners I would travel around the small mountain stores in Wyoming. I stopped in a little one called Dirty Sallies and they happened to sell fishing supplies, I got the owner to try some of my samples in a small stream he fished that ran through town. I called him a few days latter and asked how it went. He said he did not catch a fish as the spinner kept getting hooked on the bottom and he lost all of the samples. My samples were a number 2. I asked what he uses when the has success and the said Panther Martin size 0. I have since learned that the small hooks cannot (most of the time) get hung on something smaller than the Gape of the hook. Trout fisherman use size 32 midge flies and rarely get snagged and their worst problem is moss. Jigs here are by far are the 10 and 12 sizes, you probably could not give away a size 4 jig. Different part of the country.

i myself pour alot of 1/80-10 and 1/64-8....

How are you Sandwich Maker? It's been a while, good to see you over here.

Well I like #4 most and #6 next both Sickle, but do know a good guide here that uses 1/8 Oz. with #6 regular bend hooks. Claims he doesn't loose as many jig that was. If it was just him I bet he would go larger, but with him furnishing jigs to his customers he doesn't loose as many like that.

I just don't know and really I know we lose some jigs, but is it really that many? I don't think that the many trees and brush piles here on Toledo Bend that I loose that many. Some I can bend and get back since I use 10/2 Power pro a lot and some I don't or I break them. Still not enough money to worry about for me and would fee like that even if I didn't tie my own.

Just my opinion and the guide that I am talking about. I understand his reason, but I have not tried that enough to know and don't loose enough to care enough to find out, LOL!

Skip

Ive always heard if your not snagging up. Your not where the fish are at!!!!

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Originally Posted by PBUG2009

Ive always heard if your not snagging up. Your not where the fish are at!!!!

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X2 I seldom catch a bunch in open water that aren't relating to some kind of structure or another. Bottom change, old brush or tree, couple of rocks in an otherwise plain bottom. Like Skip, I lose some, and have also been known too go to plastics if the mortality rate is too high.

Actually if you get in the habit of pinching the barb down you are probably going to get your hook back more times using a bow and arrow technique. Having said that my preferred sizes for crappie fishing are a #4 or #6 hook. Then, also since I tie my own jigs I do not worry about losing a few.

I like my jigs with number 2 sickle hooks......just seem to get better hook ups and lose less fish with them.

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Originally Posted by PBUG2009

Ive always heard if your not snagging up. Your not where the fish are at!!!!

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Very true, but I can usually get loose pretty easy so just don't loose many. I keep a sinker with a bit paper clip and a string attached near and I can slip that on and get most back with out much disturbance to the structure.

First though I just try to wiggle it loose and that works way more than you would think unless you have berried the barb in the wood. Then my Power Pro will get it back a lot of the time.

Skip

Hand tied jigs are always on #4 sickles in my boat. I use #2's and even some #1's with plastics to ensure enough hook gap for consistent hook-ups.