In my boat, I keep a tray full of hooks for nearly every technique you can think of, with a variety of sizes for the ones I use most. While I'm focusing on bass, these principles apply to any species. Choosing the right hook for the job increases your chances of getting more bites and landing more fish.
Bass fishing has evolved with countless soft plastic techniques becoming standard. Some, like the drop-shot rig and Ned rig, are just as effective for walleye. When selecting hooks, I’m picky about quality — I want them sharp and strong. Several companies produce high-quality hooks for these techniques, including Gamakatsu, Owner, VMC, and BKK.
For light line finesse tactics like the drop-shot rig, anglers are going to get more bites with a light wire hook that presents the bait in a more natural fashion. There are three popular ways to whip up a drop-shot rig.
For smallmouth bass in open water, try nose hooking small soft plastic baits. Use a #1 or #2 drop-shot style hook. Enter the bait from underneath and bring the point out the center of the nose.
When fishing minnows, thread the bait onto a straight shank hook. These push the hook point back a little farther. I usually go for a size 1/0 or 2/0 hook.
For fishing near weeds, docks or brush, Texas-rigging a worm on a larger straight shank hook is the best way to avoid snags. A 2/0 or 3/0 hook is my top choice.
The wacky rig involves hooking a cigar-shaped plastic worm bait through the middle and fishing it either weightless or with a small amount of weight. As a finesse technique, it typically calls for a light or medium-gauge hook.
My top choice is a 2/0 wide-gap weedless hook, but if I’m targeting bigger fish and need extra power, I’ll size up.
This is a weedless setup for casting around all types of cover. I use hooks in a variety of wire gauges.
For slender worms, I prefer a round-bend hook, as it provides a more natural presentation.
For larger soft plastics I opt for a EWG-style hook, which offers more gap for the plastic to move out of the way during a hookset.
When using heavy rods and no-stretch braided line, I recommend thicker “superline” hooks, designed to handle the added force.
The heaviest hooks in my tackle box are specifically for flipping — typically two or three-times thicker gauge wire. These stronger hooks withstand the force of short-line hook-sets without bending.
I use a straight-shank hook tied with a Snell knot which almost always results in the bass being hooked in the top of the mouth — the ideal spot for a solid hookup.
For more slender baits, I prefer an EWG superline hook, as the bend helps keep the bait positioned properly.
I keep a couple of jig boxes in my boat, stocked with a variety of jig heads in different styles and hook sizes. Since I’m a big fan of minnow-style baits, my Smeltinator box includes hooks ranging from 1/0 to 5/0, allowing me to match the perfect jig head to any minnow bait.
Having a well-stocked tackle box with a variety of hook options ensures your baits perform as intended and gives you the best shot at landing every big fish you hook.
Originally published in the Summer Bassin' 2026 issue of Ontario Out of Doors
