Hooking Up On Plastics

[Robbo63]

Hi,
Been using plastics for the first time over the summer and have been catching a feed most times out. I use 6lb braid, 1/8 ounce jighead - depending on current and a 2/0 hook. Have been using a variety of plastics - generally around the 3 inch range.
What I have noticed is that many of the flathead I have caught are lipped and I seem to drop many in the first couple of seconds after they hit the plastic.
I was wondering if my hook size is an issue or I am striking far too early. I would also like to know some quality brand jigheads/hooks to use.

Thanks
Graham

[Kleyny]

Lip hooked is good.

IMO if your getting hit and dropping them they could be hitting the tail of the plastic so i would slow the retrieve down more. Or the other option is put a stinger on but this will impede the action of the lure.

neil

[nedoleboy]

gday graham.i usually use a 2/0 for 4" plastic and a 1/0 for 3" curly or paddle tail and a 1 for stick baits.i like the finer gauge hooks like the sqidgey ones for good penetration and i like the bait keeper on them.other brands like owner are ok .depending on depth i will fish from 3.5g for shallow up to about 9 g for over 10m.if soley fishing for flathead fish a bit heavier so you can stay in contact with the bottom .
generally flathead will eat your lure after you do your jigjig and it lands back on the bottom.as its sinking wind up your slack line and you will feel them sit on your lure.strike and load up your rod and give them absolutely no slack or the jig will fall straight out. i just start crankin evenly.if its a littlie it will just come ..if its a biggie your in for some drag wrenching action.you will still drop the buggers but when you do immediatly stop and let the jig fall straight back to the bottom.let it sit for a few seconds and if they are on the chew they will hookup straight away.hope this helps.ned

[nedoleboy]

gday graham.i usually use a 2/0 for 4" plastic and a 1/0 for 3" curly or paddle tail and a 1 for stick baits.i like the finer gauge hooks like the sqidgey ones for good penetration and i like the bait keeper on them.other brands like owner are ok .depending on depth i will fish from 3.5g for shallow up to about 9 g for over 10m.if soley fishing for flathead fish a bit heavier so you can stay in contact with the bottom .
generally flathead will eat your lure after you do your jigjig and it lands back on the bottom.as its sinking wind up your slack line and you will feel them sit on your lure.strike and load up your rod and give them absolutely no slack or the jig will fall straight out. i just start crankin evenly.if its a littlie it will just come ..if its a biggie your in for some drag wrenching action.you will still drop the buggers but when you do immediatly stop and let the jig fall straight back to the bottom.let it sit for a few seconds and if they are on the chew they will hookup straight away.hope this helps.ned

[Robbo63]

Why do you believe a lip hook is good? Other than protecting the leader if it goes further down.
Thanks
Graham

[Robbo63]

gday graham.i usually use a 2/0 for 4" plastic and a 1/0 for 3" curly or paddle tail and a 1 for stick baits.i like the finer gauge hooks like the sqidgey ones for good penetration and i like the bait keeper on them.other brands like owner are ok .depending on depth i will fish from 3.5g for shallow up to about 9 g for over 10m.if soley fishing for flathead fish a bit heavier so you can stay in contact with the bottom .
generally flathead will eat your lure after you do your jigjig and it lands back on the bottom.as its sinking wind up your slack line and you will feel them sit on your lure.strike and load up your rod and give them absolutely no slack or the jig will fall straight out. i just start crankin evenly.if its a littlie it will just come ..if its a biggie your in for some drag wrenching action.you will still drop the buggers but when you do immediatly stop and let the jig fall straight back to the bottom.let it sit for a few seconds and if they are on the chew they will hookup straight away.hope this helps.ned

Thanks for the reply. I have been told when u feel the weight of the fish to wait a few secs before striking.Do u agree with this?

Thanks
Graham

[Kleyny]

Lip hooked is good for release ( if required), good for leader protection which in my opinion is a big one when chasing flatties with light leaders. Flatties will rub through 20lb leader without to much trouble IMO.

I would have to say that at least 90% of my flattie hook ups are lipped. This give me confidence in my hook up and capture rate.

Its not very often i loose a fish once hooked and i fish with 6lb-10lb when chasing the flatties due to rub offs.

neil

[Robbo63]

Lip hooked is good for release ( if required), good for leader protection which in my opinion is a big one when chasing flatties with light leaders. Flatties will rub through 20lb leader without to much trouble IMO.

I would have to say that at least 90% of my flattie hook ups are lipped. This give me confidence in my hook up and capture rate.

Its not very often i loose a fish once hooked and i fish with 6lb-10lb when chasing the flatties due to rub offs.

neil

Neil,
I use a 12lb leader and it doesn't take long for it to need replacing. As a matter of interest what size hooks do u use?

Thanks
Graham

[HeadBanger]

G'day all, just slightly off topic, but what exactly is a stinger hook? And what makes it better than using a normal hook?

Thanks,
Kaidon

[Kleyny]

Neil,
I use a 12lb leader and it doesn't take long for it to need replacing. As a matter of interest what size hooks do u use?


Thanks
Graham

I use a 3/0 Gamakatsu hook which is around the same size as a 2/0 mustad. (from memory)

G'day all, just slightly off topic, but what exactly is a stinger hook? And what makes it better than using a normal hook?

Thanks,
Kaidon

A stinger hook is an small additional hook that goes behind the main hook

neil

[flatzie]

Your big problem here is striking. Dont strike! Sounds strange but you dont have to and I learned this from the guide who started me off on SPs. Just lift your rod and apply even playing pressure. Don't wind like the blazes, reefing and jerking the rod, trying to waterski the fish back to the boat.
cheers
Flatzie

[Kleyny]

I was wondering how long before you found the thread Flatzie.

neil

[Robbo63]

Your big problem here is striking. Dont strike! Sounds strange but you dont have to and I learned this from the guide who started me off on SPs. Just lift your rod and apply even playing pressure. Don't wind like the blazes, reefing and jerking the rod, trying to waterski the fish back to the boat.
cheers
Flatzie

Once you feel the weight do u need to wait any period of time before lifting the rod?

Thanks
Graham

[flatzie]

Flathead especially almost always take it on the pause between twitches, like when you are winding back up your line.
So when you start to pull the SP forward again it is already in their mouth. Striking can easily pull it violently out of their mouth. Its all actually a natural flow of working the rod, they are on and you just start to play them. They often take awhile to realize they are hooked and then they will start to run.
See my thread on this in December i detailed this very clearly.
Anyway Im off to prep the boat I =m out after some early in the morning
Cheers
Flatzie

[Robbo63]

Thanks for the great advice!
Cheers
Graham