Long vs Short: Part 2

While Part 1 dealt with rods, Part 2 deals with hooks. Specifically hook shank. I'm asking my fellow bream anglers if they prefer a long shank hook or short shank hook on their drop shot rigs. I've been tying on small drop shot/ split shot hooks (which are almost always short shank, wide gap hooks) directly to the line, but I think I may have more success with a long shank hook on the same rig. Just wanting to know what you folks use. Thanks yall!

Jagg, I use the same number 6 aberdine hook on a drop shot that I use on a split shot bottom rig or float rig. The hook shank isn't as long as some other hooks I have that appear to be well over an inch long.

I prefer a # 8 long shank. Never had a problem setting the hook. The long shank also helps if the hook is set deep...

I use either a gold Aberdeen hook or a long shanked cricket hook on both the drop shot and conventional rigs with much the same results.

The only time I use the drop shot rig is on a dirty bottom when leaves foul a bottom hook. I have always maintained that the fish will drop the bait when his nose bumps the taut line on a drop shot rig, but sometimes it is the only way to present the bait without getting hung up.

Sorry I missed Part 1...

I definitely prefer long shank hooks...and one reason is I release most of the bluegills caught in my ponds and the long shank aids that process.

i just now measured the length of two perch hooks in my box. One is a Mustad gold aberdine hook that is 7/8 of an inch. I assume that is what you guys call long shank hook. I also measured a cricket hook and it is 1 3/8 inches long. I used to have some hooks I no longer use that had a shank shorter than either of these that was a bait holder hook. Is the bait holder what you are referring to as a short shank hook, and the 7/8" aberdine what you are calling a long shank hook? Just want to understand the conversation.

The cricket hook is a long shanked hook. The gold Aberdeen is a medium or normal size. The bait holder is a short shanked hook.

I do not think the bait holder style has a place in sunfishing. It kills too many fish. I use the bait holder hooks for catfish.

Thanks Smithaven. I agree regarding the bait holder hooks. After trying them, I threw them away and have been using the Aberdeen hooks ever since, when I use hooks that is. I'm using 1/32 oz. and 1/16 oz. jigs most of the time this summer. I think the next time I use a hook for fishing with worms, I will try using a cricket hook and see how that works out. If my memory is correct, I think Banker said he uses cricket hooks, so that is a pretty good indication it may be the best option.

Here is Part 1 if you care to take a look.
Long vs Short: Part 1

When I say short shank hook, specifically a drop shot hook, I mean a hook like this:
Gammy Split Shot/Drop Shot Hook
The straight part of the hook is short compared to Aberdeen hooks and cricket hooks and the hook point is relatively close to the hook eye compared to the longer shank hooks. For most plain hook applications (read non jigheads) I also like a long shank. Just seeing if anyone might be using actual drop shot hooks when they use a drop shot rig for bream. I've caught bluegills while I was drop shotting for bass with bass gear and they didn't seem to take it deep. Quite the opposite; actually hooked them right in the sweet spot of the top lip. I don't have a lot of hours logged with drop shotting for bream, but it is something I want to do more of because there is a local lake that I think it would excel at. Just trying to see which route I should take. Will probably try both sooner or later and see what works best. Thanks yall!

I call those hooks salmon egg hooks.

They are used a lot for trout.

I tried salmon egg hooks a while back and didn't like them. They are to small to get even a small plastic on. I did not try them with bait, so maybe they would be better in that application. I've had more success with different small split shot and drop shot hooks for bream fishing with small plastics.

Those are octopus style hooks. I use them on a drop shot rig for bass, but see no advantage in using a short octopus for perch. That's just my impression however, because of the difficulty when removing a short hook from a perch mouth.

When I'm not using a jig these are my go to hooks for gills and crappie. I haven't found a store down here that stocks them in these colors so I order them or stock up when I go north.

Gamakatsu makes a similar assortment for panfish and I'm looking into getting a few packages and put a bend in the hook by the eye to make a make shift drop shot hook.