Northwest Fishing Reports

Having read some of the bass fishing articles I've had published, a tackle manufacturer in Wisconsin sent me several different lures and plastics to try. He only ask if I would send him an email on the results using them in different situations and tactics. But one of the things he sent me were hooks used soley for dropshotting called a "Stand Out Hook." Put on the line as directed, the configuration of the hook does keep the hook standing straight up and straight out. Of course I'll give them a try come spring, but I was just wondering about the hooking percentage using such a hook. Anyone out there tried them before?

I've looked at them on the web pages and wondered about them. Mark mentions them in one of the 3 vids posted in the Bass Forum.

I have been using them this winter ice fishing. I rig two hooks about a foot apart and a weight about a foot under the lowest hook. I have been very pleased, I can see the slightest nibble with the hooks on the main line verses the fish having to take up the slack in a leader. Next month I plan on fishing for Walleye and Small Mouth in the Spokane river with this method. I'm always up for a challenge so now I have been trying to pour a jig head using the inline system. I like the idea of using a smaller jig head and a heavier weight hanging below it so I can fish deeper holes for Walleye. Another thing that I like about these hooks over regular drop shot hooks is that you can change sinker leader length easier.

Use them and like them. The larger profile doesn't seem to spook the smallies.

There are also some dropshot/spinshot swivel hooks out there. Gamakatsu, Matzuo and VMC all make them and I'm sure other have or will as well. Easy to use and even easier to rig. If you have your own spinner making device, they are simple enough to knock out and customize.

Mike Carey wrote:Use them and like them. The larger profile doesn't seem to spook the smallies.

Their profile was another thing I was wondering about. Thanks for the info.

I did find another piece of advice on YouTube. When using the Stand Out Hook they recommend not setting the hook, but rather use a sweeping motion or simply start reeling. Same advice they give for using a circle hook.

Did they say why?

One thing they said that I don't agree with is when the guy said that you need to use a sweep hook set and so the hook ends up in the corner of the mouth. Well that can allow the hook to 'bend' over the corner/hinge of the mouth and pop the barb out and so the hook can come out. I've had enough of those problems with a sweep hookset. I also VERY MUCH want the hook imbedded in the upper jaw right in the very front. THAT way the hook can swivel inside the tissue at all angle as the bass swims around, and won't come out if the barb is driven in properly. I've caught many more fish since I started doing the 'jarring' hookset instead of a 'sweeping' hookset on the dropshot. I even had to ask Chris Ferry at Limit Out why I was losing almost all the big fish I had hooked, and others had the hook drop out when I did get a big fish in the boat. He said the sweep isn't good and to do the full hookset in an upwards direction, and not to the side either.

Also this is the hook style I was thinking of instead that which is in the vid;

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Gamakats ... BIK-129729" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/ ... t104391180" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyCWUDVes10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I fish a dropshot I just set the hook with a quick lift of the rod and turn of the reel, the side sweep doesn't work all that well for the reasons Amx pointed out. I don't think you need a "swing for the fences" hook set either, that can straighten out the lighter drop shot hooks.

quick lift of the rod and turn of the reel

Yup, that's is a better description of the hookset, not a BONE jarring, but a 'quick, sorta jarring' is what I do. I also prefer to reel in to stretch the line and put a bend in the rod before setting the hook, which I don't always do as I do have fairly quick reflexes. lol If I set the hook first, then reel I don't seem to get as good a hook penetration as the hookset is only stretching the line and bending the rod, then the reeling might or might not make the point and barb penetrate properly. My thoughts on it anyway.

Amx wrote:Did they say why?

Nope.

Amx wrote:One thing they said that I don't agree with is when the guy said that you need to use a sweep hook set and so the hook ends up in the corner of the mouth. Well that can allow the hook to 'bend' over the corner/hinge of the mouth and pop the barb out and so the hook can come out. I've had enough of those problems with a sweep hookset. I also VERY MUCH want the hook imbedded in the upper jaw right in the very front. THAT way the hook can swivel inside the tissue at all angle as the bass swims around, and won't come out if the barb is driven in properly. I've caught many more fish since I started doing the 'jarring' hookset instead of a 'sweeping' hookset on the dropshot. I even had to ask Chris Ferry at Limit Out why I was losing almost all the big fish I had hooked, and others had the hook drop out when I did get a big fish in the boat. He said the sweep isn't good and to do the full hookset in an upwards direction, and not to the side either.

Also this is the hook style I was thinking of instead that which is in the vid;

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Gamakats ... BIK-129729" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/ ... t104391180" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyCWUDVes10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you for the information. I will remember that. I am very glad I posted this question.

Chris also said that lifting the rod straight up will move the hook upright and so hook the fish right in the middle of the upper lip/jaw more often than not. Since he told me that almost every single fish has been hooked right in the middle or within about 1/2" of being in the middle, whether it's bass, trout, or perch.

I ordered a pack of each of those I linked above. I have to see how good they work.