Hook placement of softies

[sarg]

Hi all,

Just wondering opinions on where the hook should exit on a softie. Do you have the gape of the hook come out around a third of the way down its back or half way down etc? Does it differ between species? Or even between types of plastic Shads, Grub tails, Stickbait or jerkbaits etc? Interested on your thoughts I normally seem to have mine around 1/3 to 1/2 of the way down, and i'm wondering if that could affect hook-up rate.

Sorry for so many questions but the experienced placcie throwers amongst us could help the not so experienced, like me only been using them for 2 years now can manage good flathead biggest going 80cm but not much else though I haven't put in that much time on other species which i'm hoping to change soon.

Thanks
Andrew

[craig51063]

im doing the same and the dvds ive seen sugest it this way as well

tight lines

[Feral]

Where the hook comes out will depend on the length of the hook V the length of the plastic. The hook should come out just before the curve of the hook affects the shape of the plastic (unless Texas rigging of course). The head of the plastic should be snug against the head of the jig. mounting it any other way will affect the swimming action of the plastic.

[Jeremy]

Feral has got it there. The single most important thing with fishing with plastics is to make sure it sits straight on the hook so it swims properly. If it is bent at all it just ain't gunna work. So you need a range of hook sizes and jig head weights to cover your plastics.

Jeremy

[craig51063]

feral and jeremy are both correct .but as i said 3rd to 1/2 way down is the way to go eg ; you would not use a 1-0 long shank hook on a 80cm shad but you would use a 1-0 short shank hook fitted corectly . all the soft plastics i have with the hook already fitted are also set up this way . as jeremy has said though , make sure the sp is sitting straight and corect on the hook so it swims the correct way .

[sarg]

Thanks for the replys guys. I can get them straight alright just wanted to make sure of the exit point. Last spring (i think) alot of flathead i lost at the boat, I know there prone to spitting the bait, and just wanted to make sure I had it right before I chase other types of fish. Thanks again.

Andrew