Kevin Hawk’s 5 fave hooks

Elite Series pro Kevin Hawk outlines his five best fish-stickers.

<p>I’ve dialed in my hook selection over the past few years and have come to rely on some unique and traditional style hooks to effectively present a lure, which helps me hook and land more fish.</p>
I’ve dialed in my hook selection over the past few years and have come to rely on some unique and traditional style hooks to effectively present a lure, which helps me hook and land more fish.
<p><strong>1. Owner Beast Hook </strong></p>
<p>The Beast Hook comes both weighted and non-weighted and is my favorite for fishing soft-bodied swimbaits. I rig my baits on the non-weighted version when I want a surface or just below the surface presentation, and I use the weighted version when I’m fishing in the middle of the water column or closer to the bottom. What makes the Beast Hook so effective is its wide gap which allows for bait clearance when setting the hook. I can throw the biggest bodied swimbait and know I’m going to get a solid hook-to-land ratio. The Beast Hook also comes with Owners Twistlock Centering Pin Spring attached to the eye allows me to rig my swimbait perfectly straight every time.</p>
1. Owner Beast Hook
The Beast Hook comes both weighted and non-weighted and is my favorite for fishing soft-bodied swimbaits. I rig my baits on the non-weighted version when I want a surface or just below the surface presentation, and I use the weighted version when I’m fishing in the middle of the water column or closer to the bottom. What makes the Beast Hook so effective is its wide gap which allows for bait clearance when setting the hook. I can throw the biggest bodied swimbait and know I’m going to get a solid hook-to-land ratio. The Beast Hook also comes with Owners Twistlock Centering Pin Spring attached to the eye allows me to rig my swimbait perfectly straight every time.
<p><strong>2. Owner JigRig</strong></p>
<p>I use the JigRig anytime I want to present my soft plastic bait just off the bottom to give the fish a different look than a traditional Texas rig. It’s also especially deadly on bedding bass. The extra wide gap Z-lock shoulder bend Super Needle Point hook has a solid ring attached to the hook eye and a slim-profile lead or tungsten weight connects to the ring by way of a split ring. I like that I can swap out weight sizes while not having to re-tie or re-rig baits which saves me valuable time. Here’s my favorite way to fish it: <a href=
2. Owner JigRig
I use the JigRig anytime I want to present my soft plastic bait just off the bottom to give the fish a different look than a traditional Texas rig. It’s also especially deadly on bedding bass. The extra wide gap Z-lock shoulder bend Super Needle Point hook has a solid ring attached to the hook eye and a slim-profile lead or tungsten weight connects to the ring by way of a split ring. I like that I can swap out weight sizes while not having to re-tie or re-rig baits which saves me valuable time. Here’s my favorite way to fish it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nQFUnr78c0
<p><strong>3. Owner Weedless Wacky Hook</strong></p>
<p>This is my favorite hook anytime I’m fishing a wacky or nose hook presentation. I use it drop shotting in cover and for wacky rigging soft plastics. The Weedless Wacky comes with a flex nylon guard that does an excellent job keeping it from getting snagged. I do make one modification though and that is to cut back the guard so it barely covers the hook point. The hook is strong enough that I’m not afraid to fish in heavy cover either. I use size 1 for plastics 4 1/2 inches and smaller, the 1/0 for 5- and 6-inch plastics, and the 2/0 for anything larger than 6 inches.</p>
3. Owner Weedless Wacky Hook
This is my favorite hook anytime I’m fishing a wacky or nose hook presentation. I use it drop shotting in cover and for wacky rigging soft plastics. The Weedless Wacky comes with a flex nylon guard that does an excellent job keeping it from getting snagged. I do make one modification though and that is to cut back the guard so it barely covers the hook point. The hook is strong enough that I’m not afraid to fish in heavy cover either. I use size 1 for plastics 4 1/2 inches and smaller, the 1/0 for 5- and 6-inch plastics, and the 2/0 for anything larger than 6 inches.
<p><strong>4. Owner Stinger Treble Hook 2X ST-41</strong></p>
<p>I throw most of my reaction baits on heavy fluorocarbon and braid so I want a treble hook that won’t bend out on me and cause me to lose fish. The Stinger 2X ST-41’s are made from a heavier wire than standard trebles, but not too heavy that it will affect the subtle action of some hardbaits. The points on the Stinger Trebles are super tacky and help me hook fish that only swipe at my lure. I know I catch and land more fish because I take the time to swap out all the hard bait trebles with the Stinger Treble Hook.</p>
4. Owner Stinger Treble Hook 2X ST-41
I throw most of my reaction baits on heavy fluorocarbon and braid so I want a treble hook that won’t bend out on me and cause me to lose fish. The Stinger 2X ST-41’s are made from a heavier wire than standard trebles, but not too heavy that it will affect the subtle action of some hardbaits. The points on the Stinger Trebles are super tacky and help me hook fish that only swipe at my lure. I know I catch and land more fish because I take the time to swap out all the hard bait trebles with the Stinger Treble Hook.
<p><strong>5. Owner Twistlock Flipping Hook</strong></p>
<p>This hook is made out of Owner’s new Zo Wire, so it’s much stronger than normal hooks and won’t bend when using heavy fluorocarbon or braided lines. I like to use the Twistlock Flipping Hook when pitching and flipping plastics around cover. The CPS (Centering Pin Spring) also keeps my bait secure and rigged perfectly straight.</p>
5. Owner Twistlock Flipping Hook
This hook is made out of Owner’s new Zo Wire, so it’s much stronger than normal hooks and won’t bend when using heavy fluorocarbon or braided lines. I like to use the Twistlock Flipping Hook when pitching and flipping plastics around cover. The CPS (Centering Pin Spring) also keeps my bait secure and rigged perfectly straight.