Tips for choosing offset hooks for fishing with silicone baits

What is an offset fishing hook

An offset hook is a special type of fishing hook that allows you to hide the tip in the bait, thereby creating a hook-free bait.

Photo: Offset hook

Unlike other types of hooks, the offset hook, as it is also called in Russian fishing jargon, has a double bend near the fastening ring, and due to the displacement of the axis, the tip is pressed against the bait and prevents snagging. The main task of an offset hook is to ensure the installation of soft bait in a non-snaking version.

What is an offset hook used for and where is it used?

This fishing accessory was invented in the USA in the first half of the 20th century and was originally used only for catching largemouth bass (bass) using silicone lures. His invention prompted experienced fishermen to create new types of baits and equipment using an offset machine.

For example, this type of hook is used for mounting soft artificial baits made of foam rubber, silicone or rubber. Such baits are attached to the hook in a special way, which allows them to pass through thickets and snags without clinging to them. Since the bait has a streamlined shape and the hook is securely hidden in it, it glides easily in the water, overcoming various obstacles. It is this property that gives the name to this type of offset press installation – non-clinging.

Lures mounted using an offset hook are used when catching various fish in thicket or rocky underwater areas, snags, as well as in places with flooded dead wood, or abandoned areas. Thus, offsets allow you to fish where previously there was little catch or where it was scary to fish.

Types of offset hooks and their features

This fishing accessory was invented about fifty years ago, and today fishermen know a large number of its shapes, modifications and sizes. Moreover, each offset hook model fits a certain size or shape of the bait, so they should be purchased at the same time so as not to spend extra money.

Various shapes and designs

1. Texas Hook 2. Wide Gap 3. Sickle Hook
According to the shape they are distinguished:

1. A classic straight-bend offset jig called the Texas Hook , which is suitable for silicone worms, slugs and narrow-bodied elongated baits.
2. Wide Gap hook . The most common option today. On sale you can find 2 varieties of this offset tool (see photo below): when the tip looks at the step, and when the tip looks above the step (used for silicone baits with a wide body).
3. Offset Sickle Hook in the shape of a sickle, which provides a more reliable fixation of the bait and holds the prey well when fishing.

One of the varieties of the Wide Gap hook is an offset hook with a lead load on the fore-end. This type is ideal for dense thickets and snagy ponds.

Painted With a spring With a rear loading With a front loading With a soldered weight head With a propeller

An offset press with a spring should be taken if you need to firmly fix the silicone. In this case, the spring is inserted into the body of the bait and prevents it from falling off the hook, thereby extending the life of the silicone.

About

Types of hooks

There are three differences:

1. Classic version (Texas Hook). A characteristic feature is a straight bend. New version: Wide Gap. Its main advantage is that it has a significant space between the metal fore-end and the belly of the attachment. This quality is especially important for not very soft plastic; a larger gap will allow the fish to flatten the bait more strongly and hook without getting lost.
2. Offset machine (Wide Gap) - used for Texas equipment, has two modifications:
   • for especially narrow baits;

   for high nozzles.

Differences:

• narrow - the sting looks at the fore-end;
• wide - a little taller.

Offset hook sizes by numbers

Offset hooks are distinguished by numbers, which are adopted in a special measuring system. In addition, you need to consider the size of the offset according to the size of the fish you expect to catch.

Photo: Numbering of offset hooks

For pike

For such large fish, offsets marked 3/0, 4/0 or 5/0 are suitable.

For perch

The optimal perch size is 2/0.

For zander

For fishing with small baits, numbers 2-4 are usually used; for large pike perch and larger silicone it is better to use: 1, 1/0, 2/0 or 3/0.

Let's summarize the information:

Table: Sizes of offset hooks for fishing by type of fish

Offset hooks for microjigging

For microjig, you should select hooks numbered from 6 to 10.

How to attach to an offset hook

The correct attachment implies a tight fit of the offset tip to the bait. Otherwise, the tip protruding from the silicone will catch the hook when wiring. At the same time, in a situation where the sting is strongly recessed, the risk of a fish escape increases. Therefore, in order to reduce the likelihood of fish escapes and avoid the loss of artificial baits from hooks, it is advisable to be as careful as possible when placing them.

When placing baits on the offset, it is important to consider their rigidity. To avoid slipping, they should be tightened slightly.

The basic principle of installation is to correctly determine the offset number depending on the type and length of the soft bait. To do this, you need to combine it with the offset and mark the puncture point. For a twister, everything is simple - the puncture site should be located in its body, and in a vibrotail - in the center of the bait’s body or a little closer to the head. Otherwise, the hook will restrict the movements of the tail.

The sequence of actions when attaching various types of baits to an offset machine is practically the same:

• We compare the sizes of the bait and offset;
• we pierce the end part of the bait at a right angle with the tip leading out to the bottom;
• we pull the offset machine through the bait to the ring;
• unfold the hook and apply it to determine the puncture point. By changing the puncture point, you can tighten or loosen the mounting of the bait on the offset;
• we carry out a puncture through the stomach with the tip pointing to the previously designated point on the top of the bait;
• check the tightness of the fixation and stretch the silicone to the eyelet;
• We check the correctness of the attachment: a finger drawn along the bait should not catch the tip of the offset, and when pressing on the body, the tip should open.

It is not difficult to mount an offset hook on a vibrating tail with a narrow body and a twister. Installation is carried out according to the standard algorithm. To install a wide-bodied vibrotail, it is recommended to use WideGap. Its use guarantees effective installation, in which the game of the bait will be interesting, and the number of hooks will be minimal.

In the absence of such offset machines, it is advisable to make a groove in the belly of the silicone. This decision will change his game a little, but will increase his uncatchability. In some silicone models, such a groove already comes from the manufacturer.

How to choose an offset hook for the size of the bait

When selecting, you need to keep in mind that the same hook numbers may vary in size from different manufacturers. Therefore, it is better to select an offset tool by eye for a specific bait or compare their sizes on the spot when purchasing.

When choosing a hook, you should attach it to the bait and look. Ideally, the sting should come out in the middle of the body or even closer to the head. It is better for the hook to be a little shorter than longer. The height of the bend of the offset should also not exceed the height of the body of the bait, so that it does not stick out from it when passing through obstacles.

Design features

Offset is a single hook with a special curved shape. It has a step on the fore-end, thanks to which the section of the fore-end closer to the ring is shifted relative to the entire hook. This design makes it possible to put on silicone baits so that they do not cling when passing through strong places - snags, algae, and other cluttered areas of the bottom.

There are different sizes of offset hooks and their shapes. Depending on the type of bait and fishing method, one or another offset model is used. Below we will look at what types of offset hooks there are, why non-snacking installation is needed, and how to put on the “rubber” correctly to get the most working equipment.

Installation of offset hook

The offset hook should be mounted in such a way that its tip fits tightly to the bait, otherwise the protruding part will immediately catch on obstacles in the water. At the same time, you should not plant the sting too deep inside the bait, as it will be difficult for it to free itself from it and detect prey.

Silicone bait attachment

Many fishermen complain that silicone baits do not hold well on offset hooks, and in addition, they quickly deteriorate. This is due to the use of a heavy sinker and the small size of the step that rests on the front of the bait. With this design, it is difficult for the bait to stay on the hook, and it may break during fishing.

To avoid such incidents during fishing, the silicone bait should be moved a short distance from the sinker, so it can rest on both the step and the fishing line, providing a strong attachment.

Below we describe in more detail the methods of installing the most commonly used types of silicones.

Installation of a vibrating tail on an offset hook

The vibrotail is a special type of bait made of silicone and has a spade tail at the back. It is this tail that begins to actively vibrate with the resistance of the water during movement. Before attaching it to the offset machine, it is important to compare their sizes. The main condition for this is to string the bait so that the tail oscillates without constraint:

1. First you need to pierce the end part of the bait and bring the point of the hook to its lower part so that the barely noticeable tip of the accessory peeks out from the vibrating tail.
2. Next, you need to measure the puncture site and determine the angle at which the hook tip will pass.
3. After this, the belly of the bait is pierced and removed through the intended place.
4. In the end, you just need to check how tightly the fish is fixed and pull it all the way.

About

Types of installation of silicone baits

There are a large number of varieties of mounting silicone baits. Below are the most popular ones.

Offset hook

The method is quite simple and very popular. The bait is fixed to the offset hook through the front part of the device.

The piercing part of the product penetrates the oral cavity of the bait. The sting of the hook comes out through the neck. The pre-deployed hook hooks onto the belly of the silicone.

Important!

When attaching the hook to the abdominal cavity, you should not pierce the entire bait through. It is best to hook the tip of the hook to the side. This will allow the caught fish to better sit on the hook and eliminate the possibility of escape. By penetrating the entire body of a silicone product, the likelihood of a false bite increases.

Texas rig type

The Texas type of equipment allows the angler to fish snagged areas of the reservoir, places characterized by an abundance of underwater vegetation and stones. The sinker of the equipment has the outline of a bullet; in its rear part there is a funnel-shaped recess and a place for an offset hook with a bait, which is put on in a non-snacking way.

The offset eye can be hidden in the recess of the sinker, which makes it possible to ensure the absence of any protruding parts.

Step-by-step collection:

• We string a load onto the main line. It is important that the pointed part of the bullet area faces the rod;
• A silicone shock absorber is placed on the fishing line. If desired, you can use a bead instead of a shock absorber;
• An offset hook is tied to the fishing line, and a silicone product is attached to the tip of the hook.

Place the bait on the hook:

1. The silicone bait is pierced from the head along the body by 5 mm.
2. We bring the hook tip out.
3. We pull the hook through the bait, turn it and pull the product onto the step of the hook.
4. The device for luring fish is pierced transversely with the hook point outward.
5. The tip of the metal rod is hidden in the body of the bait, which improves the permeability of the product in snags in the pond.

Carolina rig

Carolina rigging belongs to the category of spaced rigging. The leash, hook and bait act as a continuation of the main fishing line. The line is separated from the leader, bait and hook by a swivel, bead and sinker.

Similar equipment can be used when fishing in the bottom layer of water. The Carolina rig allows you to fish hard-to-reach areas of the reservoir with a large amount of snags, shell rock and underwater vegetation.

Step-by-step process for installing Carolina:

1. We thread the main cord through the hole in the sinker.
2. We string a bead onto the cord and tie a swivel.
3. We attach a leash with a hook to the swivel using a clinch knot.

Retractable leash

Such installation of silicone baits falls into the category of the simplest equipment. Its main difference is the location of the hook with the nozzle and the sinker on the same line. Using a retractable leash is effective for catching pike perch and pike that swim near the bottom surface. Installation of equipment will not cause difficulties even for a beginner.

A sinker is attached to the end of the main line. Above the weight (20-25 cm) we fix a loop to which a leash with a hook is tied.

Drop shot

The drop shot has excellent cross-country ability when fishing hard-to-reach areas of the reservoir. With the help of a drop shot, you can use light bait to catch a predator, which you can simply throw over long distances. In addition, the equipment will be a real salvation in cases where the fish is 50-100 cm from the bottom surface.

Installation of silicone baits is simple, which cannot but please novice fishermen. The most important thing is to secure the hook correctly so that it is always at an angle (90° or 45°). To tie a hook, it is better to use a clinch knot.

Jig head mounting

Jig equipment allows you to fish at any depth, which increases the chance of catching a trophy specimen of perch, pike perch or pike, which try to stay away from the coastline.

Experienced fishermen distinguish two types of jig installation depending on the nature of the load:

• rigid method of attaching the jig head. Connect the jig head to the bait. In this case, the sinker should be located in the front part of the product that lures fish, and the hook tip should be placed in the upper area;
• The flexible type of fastening allows you to achieve the most vivid animation. The bait should be fixed on the hook, and it is important to connect the sinker to the hook using a winding ring. For jigging, ordinary hooks with a long shank or offset products with a sharp tip are perfect, which allow you to achieve a non-snaking effect, which is especially important for an angler who is used to fishing hard-to-reach areas of the reservoir.

Single hook

For fishing with a single hook, experts recommend using an offset hook. The product is fixed on the offset machine by putting a jig head on a hook. It is advisable to use a stopper that will prevent the risk of the device slipping.

To minimize the risk of snagging, the hook point should be closed.

Step-by-step non-snacking installation:

• Using the point of the hook, we pierce the head of the device and bring it to the step on the shank of the hook;
• We fix the front part of the silicone product with a stopper;
• Having unfolded the bait, we pierce its back part so that the hook tip is recessed into the body of the silicone product. If desired, the tip can be brought out and placed parallel to the body of the product.

{banner_vnutri-kontenta-3}

Double hook

During the installation process, the first thing the fisherman begins is to pierce the abdomen with a needle.

We squeeze the eye through the inside of the bait to the neck and thread a needle into it. It is important to first open the double by 5-7 mm manually.

Important!

To mount silicone baits on a double, it is best to use not ordinary doubles, but products with an elongated forearm.

treble hook

Before starting work, the angler should select a tee that suits the bait:

• Using a punch, we punch through the area where the hook tip enters the body of the bait;
• the tee ring is inserted into the hole and slowly moves into the body of the silicone product;
• the sting is brought out in the center, trying to reach the oral cavity of the silicone bait;
• in the insertion area, the product is stretched and one of the hooks of the tee is threaded;
• use the top hook to pierce the back area of ​​the bait;
• Having installed the Cheburashkas of the appropriate size, we proceed to connect the silicone device with the main fishing line. A leash is used for this purpose.

Hinged mounting (Cheburashka)

The hinged mounting method allows you to achieve an increased degree of freedom of the bait, its natural play, less windage, which makes it possible to cast to the longest possible distance.

Hinged installation in stages:

• Cheburashka is tied to a fishing line or leash;
• a hook is fixed to the free eye;
• The silicone bait is attached to the hook tip.

Before proceeding with installation, one of the Cheburashka ears should be rotated 90° in relation to the second. This will prevent the hook and line from tangling.

Equipment options

There are a large number of types of silicone baits and equipment for them. Moreover, each variety has its own positive and negative sides, which affect the results of fishing. For example, rigging through a jig head is very simple to make and is used mainly by beginners, but has high hookability. Tools on an offset hook will help you cope with snags:

1. Rigging through a collapsible “Cheburashka” is considered quite simple, since first the Cheburashka is attached to the hook, and then the bait. Due to the soft design, the bait is more mobile, so almost all types of silicones are suitable for it.
2. The Texas rig is formed by threading a fishing line through a sinker, putting a bead on the end and attaching a hook. This design reduces the risk of snagging, but requires attaching baits only with rounded shapes.
3. The Carolina rig is obtained by placing a drop-shaped sinker on a fishing line, to the end of which a swivel is tied. As in the previous version, you should tie a cambric in front of the swivel, tie a fishing line, and then secure the hook.
4. In a drop-shot , an offset rig is tied to the fishing line with its tip at the top, and a drop- or stick-shaped sinker is tied below. The sinker is lowered by one, and the bait can play in place without moving it. For this option, it is better to use a twister or live bait.
5. Equipment on a diverting leash.

About

Brief description of the product

Translated from English, “Offset Hook” is an offset hook that has special design features and a double bend in the fore-end. Due to this shape, the equipment secures the elastic and soft attachments as securely as possible, preventing them from slipping off the hook.

And although many modifications and sizes are offered at retail outlets, the design features of the product remain the same and consist of two parts:

1. double bending of the front segment of the forend, with a characteristic Z-shape, which ensures reliable fixation of the end part of the nozzle,
2. sting recessed in a soft nozzle.

This type of hook has found use in a wide variety of rigs, including the Texas bullet rig, the Carolina rig, the lead hook, and the drop shot hook. The presence of a special design ensures effective sliding of the bait with the tip of the sting well hidden in the body of the bait. And if you equip the device with a sinker with an “eye” through a winding ring, this will allow you to create a good hinged mount, which is necessary for jig fishing. In this case, the bait will demonstrate good dynamic play, remaining mobile throughout the entire fishing. It is these movements that arouse great interest among predators, forcing them to take some action.

The advantage of “offsets” is the ability to fix a spinning bait using the “non-hook ” method. Thus, the tackle can be used for fishing in the most inaccessible places , where there are many snags, pitfalls, irregularities and other bottom anomalies that can get caught and break the tackle. The only disadvantage is the possibility of damage to soft silicone or rubber at the puncture sites.

How to tie an offset hook: knots for installation

Let's look at several fishing knots that will help us in installing equipment.

To the leash

In order to tie a hook on a lead leash directly to the fishing line, you can use one of the two most popular knot options: Clinch or Palomar.

Photo: Clinch knot

Photo: Palomar node

Drop shot

The following types of knots can be used for a drop shot:

The best offset hooks: Top 7 rating

All models differ in their quality. That is why experienced fishermen prefer proven brands. Here are the most popular ones:

1. Owner . This brand is the most advertised and famous. The products are made in Japan and are one of the highest quality. The hook is strong and durable, and its tip is sharp. The sharpening of the tip depends on the modification and differs for different equipment and baits. Lately, many fakes of this company have appeared.
2. Decoy (Decoy). For their manufacture, the Japanese use high-carbon steel, which is very durable. Thanks to the unusually sharp sting, the hook does not damage the bait when hooking. The proposed model range is very diverse. There are options not only for ordinary and small fish, but also for trophy predators. Their disadvantage is their rather high cost.
3. Fanatik (Fanatic). Made in Korea. They are inexpensive, but at the same time durable and reliable. Fanatik has a sharp sting, a large eye and a step that allows you to securely hold the bait. Even a small range allows anglers to choose the right hook.
4. Crazy Fish (Crazy Fish). They are made in Korea and are not expensive. They are produced in different sizes. This makes it easy to choose the right one for each specific case. The high hook height allows you to use a volumetric twister as bait. The large ear allows the bait to move as naturally as possible in the water. In addition, it is very convenient to attach it to the Cheburashka.
5. Saikyo (Saiko). Very popular due to the wide range of models. The shape of the offset allows it to fit snugly to the body of the bait, preventing snags. Special technology for sharpening the tip makes it very sharp. Saiko hooks are of quite high quality, but, despite the anti-corrosion coating, they can rust after prolonged use.
6. Worm . They are distinguished by excellent sting sharpness and durability. Works great with silicone baits. The disadvantage is their small quantity per pack and high cost.

Offsets from the following companies have also proven themselves well: Fish Season, Gamakatsu, Matzuo, Stinger, Vanfook, Varivas, VMC. If you are on a limited budget, you can order Chinese hooks from Aliexpress.

An offset hook with poor sharpening or improper installation of the bait can only increase the number of trips and, as a result, will cause an unsuccessful hunt, so try to use high-quality products. And having the right understanding of reliable and proven methods of attaching bait, options for mounting hooks and bait, as well as many other subtleties of fishing, you can increase your catch several times.

Views: 1,751

Similar articles:

1. Hooks for pike: types and features, sizes, which hook is better to choose Predatory fish like pike are considered a desirable trophy for most fishermen,…
2. Equipment for silicone baits. How to attach silicone bait to a hook. Silicone baits are artificial baits for catching fish that...
3. How to put live bait on a pike hook Fishing with live bait most often makes it possible to catch really large...
4. Jig-rig: installation, wiring methods, advantages and disadvantages Just 3-4 years ago, when jig-rig was just gaining popularity, many…

Features of the correct equipment

After purchasing a series of offset machines, it is not enough to connect them to the equipment using any existing method. It is important to clarify in advance how to attach an offset hook to a silicone bait, twister or vibrotail, otherwise the fish will often break away, turning fishing into a real test.

As mentioned above, the presence of a special design allows you to attach the silicone fish as a non-hook type. In this case, there are two modifications of non-engaging equipment:

1. classic traditional,
2. Texas open.

In the first option, you need to find a classic offset hook with a bend that is at a right angle. To begin with, the bait needs to be pierced in the end part and fixed on the Z-shaped step. In this case, the tip of the sting should penetrate far into the body of the bait, but not go out much. Such actions allow you to securely secure the bait on the hook, minimizing possible snags.

It is necessary to constantly monitor the sharpness of the sting so that the tip not only easily pierces the fish, but also detects the prey when hooking. Texas rig is effective for catching a variety of predatory fish, including pike perch, perch, bream, etc.

For the open method of equipping a non-hook, Wide Gap “offsetters” are used. In this case, the hook fits tightly to the surface of the silicone fish or is hidden in the corresponding groove. If the ring is pressed tightly enough, it will not catch algae and other vegetation.

When using classic jig fishing, a hook with an “eared” weight is fixed using a winding ring. But there are cases when the eye of the “offset machine” is smaller in size, which is why the ring cannot pass through. Under such conditions, you need to take pliers or side cutters and use them to bite off a third of the turn from the ring.

A number of other features

For soft jerkbaits, swimbaits and twisters, lead-loaded hooks with a weighted shank are used. Such “offsets” do not require the use of additional weights and are an effective tool for spot fishing among thickets of aquatic vegetation, grass, reeds and in other hard-to-reach areas where it is difficult to cast long distances.

As already mentioned, the tip must fit tightly to the bait, otherwise it will increase the likelihood of snags. At the same time, you should not immerse the “offset” too deeply into the body of the bait, because at the moment of a bite this can lead to the release of the fish. To put the product on correctly, just follow these instructions:

1. Initially, you should pierce the head part of the silicone bait with a sting 0.5-0.8 mm deep, carefully bringing it out through the stomach so that only the tip shows from the body.
2. Then the hook must be applied to the back of the vibrotail to determine the approximate location of the puncture and select the correct angle to be observed during further installation. Only after this can you insert the hook at the intended angle. If you miss the moment of selecting the correct angle of entry of the tip, this can lead to derailments.
3. After piercing, make sure that the bait is securely fixed.
4. To prevent the soft attachments from slipping during installation, they are slightly pulled.
5. If the tip cuts into the nozzle or moves slightly to the side, it means that the insertion was done incorrectly.