Huckabee Meat Dragger + Bonehead 1/8 oz jig head. I’m losing more 14”+ fish than I’m landing on this set up.

Is the rod to heavy for the hook? Is the hook to light to stand up to the big ones? Perhaps I just need to use a net? I’ve tried pulling into them on the hook set, and I have tried ripping their lips off on the hook set. The end result is still the same: I’m losing a lot big crappie on these 1/8 oz Bx jig heads when I go to lift them out of the water.

My thoughts: this specific hook isn’t big enough to Boat flip big crappie. I need to try a diff style jig or start using a net.
Here’s what my hook looked like after landing the 14.5” in the below pic. I’m curious to hear your thoughts.



Saturday’s trip was much slower than last week’s. Most were caught in ~20 fow, 12-14’ down using white/chart jigs. Still catching lots of short fish.

That one on the bottom left is a beast!

I would definitely bend that hook inward more personally

Just wait… the ones I’m losing make that one look small. I just started crappie fishing last year, so Im making lots of mistakes.

To be clear, the hook bent out under the weight of the bottom left fish. Are you saying to modify the hook straight out of the package?

If the hook bent out like that by boat flipping that big fish, then it sounds like the hooks are no good. I boat flip fish regularly and really never have that happen. One time it did, it was the bronze sickles and I think I got a bad batch.

You're using sickle hooks which tend to bend relatively easy. I would suggest that you go to a Aberdeen style (J hook) and preferably in a steelhead version. Those hooks will never bend out. Of course, you'll break a lot of jigs off, but you won't lose a fish due to the hook bending.

I started fishing my years ago and make lots of mistakes.....

I prefer a J hook over a sickle hook. I have switched gears and now fish the epic 8 Todd Huckabee Rod with the Mad Crappie Jigs “shankenstein” together they will haul in a Volkswagen Bus.

You’re setting the hook too hard. Small fish will come to you when you rip them...big ones don’t. I personally moved to ACC for the majority of my customer rods because of the huckabees being so stiff. The only time I get a huckabee out is when I have a customer that reels instead of setting.

Best way to tell is to see how big the holes you are putting in the jaw on the fish you catch. I bet you have torn jaws and finger size holes in the corners.

Good point Cameron. It could be some weak wire though.

Great look jigs there David.

I’ll pay attention to the holes on the next trip. Tbh, I feel like the majority of my hooksets are in the roof of their mouth.

Also, I took Crappie Guy’s advice and ordered some “J” style hooks from Redneck Rubber Co. I had 2 diff folks recommend this company. Might also check out the Mad Crappie jigs too. Thanks David 🙏

clean out your PM folder.....

pm me your address, and I will send you a real good hook.