Extra wide gap (EWG) hooks, also called EWG hooks, has an offset shank and a wide bend. The extra spaces between the shank and the point of the EWG hook allow the point of the hook to penetrate the thick soft plastic bait. Using a hook that is too narrow for a soft plastic bait may cause the soft plastic bait to tear when the fishes takes the bait.
A torn soft plastic bait wont secure the fish to the hook once the fight begin. Therefore, using an EWG hook create more room for the point of the hook to enter the fish. A person must use the correct size of the EWG hook for the diameter and weight of the soft plastic bait.
Choose the Right EWG Hook for Soft Plastic Baits
Using an EWG hook that is too large for a small soft plastic bait will cause the bait to bunch up on the way to the fish. Additionally, using an EWG hook that is too small for a large soft plastic bait may allow the fish to shake the fish off the hook during the fight. The diameter of the soft plastic baits will determine the size of the gap of the EWG hook.
For example, a slim 3-inch stickworm will use a lighter EWG hook than a thick 10-inch ribbon tail worm. The rigging style for the soft plastic bait will determine the size of the EWG hook that a person uses. For instance, a Texas rig use an EWG hook to bury the point of the hook inside the head of the soft plastic bait.
This allows the soft plastic bait to glide through grass without snagging the bait on the plant. Additionally, a person can use a variety of weight with an EWG hook. For instance, a person uses a pegged bullet weight for a Texas rig while a heavy tungsten weight is used for a punch setup with a soft plastic bait.
Using the incorrect size of the EWG hook for a specific weight of soft plastic bait will cause the setup to fail. The physical characteristics of an EWG hook will impact its performance when fishing with a soft plastic bait. For instance, the thickness of the wire of the EWG hook will determine the hook’s durability when it hits a snag in the fish’s environment.
However, the fishing line must be strong enough to handle the thick EWG hook. Additionally, the sharpness of the point of the EWG hook will allow it to penetrate the fish instantly. The finish of the EWG hook will determine how the fish will see the hook.
For instance, a black finish on an EWG hook will make it less visible for the fish in stained water. However, a bright finish on an EWG hook will create more flashes in clear water that may attract the attention of the fish. In order to keep the EWG hook effective when fishing with a soft plastic bait, a person must take the time to maintain the hook.
If the point of the EWG hook becomes dull from snagging on an obstacle in the water, the person should of file the point of the hook. Additionally, a person should rig the soft plastic bait in a straight line on the EWG hook so that the soft plastic bait does not spiral in the water. Finally, a person should organize the EWG hooks in a tackle box in size order so that a person can easily find the apropriate size of the EWG hook.
Using the correct size of the EWG hook for the specific soft plastic bait will result in a person successfully hook more fish.