To Twist or not to twist???

[Jencourt]

So my Dad taught me many years ago to give my Siwash hooks a twist so that the hook point is offset to aid in holding a fish once hooked. I have carried that advice and continue to do so to this day.

Do most of you do the same. I tend to use hooks toward the larger side of what I can get away with before becoming to heavy for the size of spoon or hootchie I am running .Do you think that larger hooks ( still within the size limitations of the spoon) can affect the action of a spoon if offset? Do you think it helps or hinders the ability of a lure to catch and hold fish? The reason I ask is because a few years back, I acquired a bunch of sockey hootchies from an ex commercial fisher, and non of the hooks had been offset.

So whats your take, preference and opinion??

 

[Fish Assassin]

Twist just a hair on certain gear to create a different action..... All depends on the gear. Some I twist others I leave just as they are.

 

[Jencourt]

Twist just a hair on certain gear to create a different action..... All depends on the gear. Some I twist others I leave just as they are.

So then I can assume that your experience and opinion is that on some gear the hook is acting as a Rutter and twisting/offsetting that hook definitely affects the action either aiding or hindering its performance? Do you think it helps hold fish?

 

[Fish Assassin]

Twisting can, or seems to help with solid hook up on certain days. Some days if I am having sort bites I'll tweek the hook a bit or drop a hook back a bit like a stinger hook on a short loop or a extra split ring if I can't get away with the extra weight.

Remember though the weight and style or hook can and will affect the action of what ever you are using not just the twist in the hook. It's all about having a eye for it when it's beside your boat.

I don't buy pre ties, well I did buy boxes of pre tied leaders when guiding from a certain tackle shop in Vancouver for cut plugging and I also rarly use factory hooks. Factory hooks get removed right from day one. I sure I have given you a spoon or two over the years and given you a hook to go with it. It's was for a reason. But so is leader lenghts.

Theres so many things here, Ray you posted a loaded question...... Easier just to go fishing LOL

Lets Go

 

[tykkyt e blue]

I like the twist myself for anything hard ( tomics, apex, large spoons, etc ) anything that may stop the hook point from digging in - except when smaller fish are around, then the twisted hook point comes out the eye...don't like catch, dying and release

 

[hambone]

I can't think of any used commercial plug that I've seen with a twisted hook.

I think a slight bend to beak the hook is more important than a twist.

 

[trophywife]

twist for spoons , never on plugs for me... spoon body matches size of hook.

 

[IronNoggin]

I think a slight bend to beak the hook is more important than a twist.

aYup!

I tend to use hooks toward the larger side of what I can get away with before becoming to heavy for the size of spoon or hootchie I am running .

That's fine when you are working on "Target" fish, as in you'll quite largely be intentionally killing what you hook. Larger hooks will generally get a Bigger "Bite" so it follows a Better Hold and increased landing to hooking ratio.

... except when smaller fish are around, then the twisted hook point comes out the eye...don't like catch, dying and release

And therein lies the problem with running over-sized hooks, especially when the hook point has been offset. It is a Killer set-up in every sense of the word. While it will increase your positive hook up rate, it will also injure smaller fish and by-catch to the point of non-recovery. Eye hooking, brain hooking, gill hooking etc. Definite higher mortality...

Been a commercial troller for some time now. Don't know many that run offset hooks. Pretty well most run "beaked" hooks of size...

Cheers,
Nog