On thick/wide baits like a magdraft, etc… that require 8/0 & bigger hooks, how are you guys getting penetration on these things. Does everyone make a treble stinger or are you guys having good hookup ratio with the single hook? Double hook set?

My land ratio with the single hook is about 25%, my rod is an XXheavy and I am hammering them as hard as I can, the hooks just not penetrating the cheek on better fish. Educate me on something other than a treble stinger, trying to keep it weedless.

Take a pair of pliers and bend your hook up ever so slightly.
I don't know what brand you're using, but the Owner 8/0-10/0 Beast Hooks are second to none in my experience.
Don't like running a stinger on them. If the size fish you are after with these big baits actually eats, an extra treble hanging off the back has potential to harm the fish.
Also, Mono is a big fat NO. Too much give. Stick to 17-22lb Fluro or 50lb+ braid.
Let them swim with it for 3 or 4 seconds and then cross their dang eyes with a hookset.

I am using an 8/0 beast and 65lb braid. I’m not letting them hold it, I’m jacking them as soon as they hit, you think I’m setting the hook too quickly? Sounds odd in my head, but I’m definitely doing something wrong. Should I be sweeping to the side on the hookset or jerking up like a worm?

With these bigger soft plastics, you will never have a 100% hookup. I'd say mine is 50-75% most of the time. If you aren't bending your hooks up, I STRONGLY suggest it. Yes, letting them take it and get a little deeper is imperative. If he only has half the bait in his mouth, or in his mouth but right up front near the lips a hookset is going to blow his mouth open.
The deeper it is, the more surface area it has a chance to set into during your swing.
For the actual hookset, I generally sweep in the opposite direction that they are swimming. But with some serious authority.

thank you sir, I’ll give the hook a little bend and see if it helps, makes sense on changing the angle.

Maybe you’re just getting old? Try bluegill fishing, it’s easier on the body .

#BluegillRock

I would definitely NOT use a treble stinger as I'm usually throwing a bait like that through cover (big swimbaits with a single 8/0 are incredibly weedless). Usually when they hit it is a like a freight train. Also agree on straight braid.

Heck, the hookups suck with a 3/0 owner flashy and small keitech. I swear I only catch half of what bites on it.

But like Knot said, maybe perch jerkin is the answer, or catfishing, lots of catfish in the gar hole!

I thought maybe I was right about the getting old part and not being able to swing it like he used to ?

Maybe a gym membership

Typical "California" response.

Nah, just three members doing some ribbing .

Single hooks and tons of plastic just dont play well together. Even with giant Owner Beast hooks on 6" swimbaits my hook up ratio sucks. The ratio is maybe on par with a frog.

For open water I started making my own stinger hooks. I just use a big treble (#2 or bigger). I slip a piece of black shrink wrap over the eye of the treble hook and heat it up. You just punch the Owner beast hook through the eye of the treble and you can position it on the back or the belly but you have to know where you want it before you start rigging the bait because once you punch that shrink wrap it aint coming off very easy. Once you got it where you want it just bury one of the trebles in the back or belly. If you are going to crawl it on bottom put the treble in the back. Thats the stinger method I use for big thick 6" swimmers like the Boom Boom. For 8"+ swimmers you will probably want the treble farther back so you will need to make a wire harness to connect the two hooks. Tactical Bassing had a great video on that a few years back if you want to try to find it on You Tube.

I might need some of that low T therapy that I keep hearing about???


Ok, I ordered these 2 baits and while not weedless, I know I can set the hook on them! I’ll use my zebco 33 with my 5’ pistol grip rod, who needs drag with a combo like that.

Damn .

My offer still stands if they don’t work out .