3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

It's amazing 3 fishermen all agree on one thing. Bucktails with swing hooks work best. After reading the thread that Kevin Bogan started and reading Jersey Coast's comments, I too agree that swing hooks will greatly increase your chances of landing a doormat Fluke. Swing Hooks do not put as much pressure on a Fluke's mouth. Fixed hooks have a tendency to create a hole in the fishes mouth. A few big head shakes and there's goes your doormat. The attached photo is a great example of the damage a fixed hook does to a Fluke's mouth. I fish both fixed and swing hook bucktails but I can tell you I have lost more big Fluke on the fixed hooked model. All of fixed hook bucktails that I fish have stinger hooks to increase catch ratio. Link below for a better photo.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...type=3&theater

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Nice post here Max!!! In addition to the better hook up ratio........I never gave much thought to the damage the hook can do, when compared to a swing hook! ;) Again, great point!!!

( BTW, I do NOT have a single swing hook to sell, so its not like I am trying to sell something here! Its just fact! ) :)

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Good post. We have been doing a lot of research on both party and private boats. The results are: there is no contest, swing hooks catch more fish.
Also if you tip it with a grup or gulp swim lure it allows the add ons to "swirl" or rotate, it psyches out the Fluke, get's him mad as hell, and they cant resist and actually strike harder, allowing for more solid hook ups.

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

I was out yesterday and personally did a test to see if I noticed any difference between the swing/fixed hook. My test was not scientific by any means but just more of stout observation. What I did was swing all fluke that looked like shorts aboard with fixed hooks and then did the same with the swing hooks. The amount of fish tested was real close to the same. I can honestly say that about forty percent fell off with the fixed hook, when swinging aboard, versus none that fell off with the swing hook. Plus I thought the action was much better with the trailer Gulp on the swing hook then on the fixed hook.

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

OK, I need to test these as well...Kevin I will stop in to pick up a few before I go out again. I am a creature of habit so it will be hard to change.

Keefe

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Im still not sold on the swing hook, will have to stop and pick a few up and give it another go.

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Rob,
All due respect, but what exactly is there to be "sold' on a swing hook?

Will a fixed hook catch mostly the same amount of fish, if worked properly?? I am pretty sure it will and the difference might be negligible. However, if the swing hook allows for a better landing ratio: you are hedging the odds in your favor. I say give it a try with an open mind and decide for yourself.
Best of Luck !!!!!

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Scooter, give a good fisherman either jig and he will produce. The "landing ratio" has been my arguement all along. You simply land more, lose less.
Good point on action. Most grub style baits are designed to give an action. The swivel allows the grub to swim naturally.
Better action=more fish. Did I mention bigger fish as well?

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

So do I foresee a friendly competition of "swingers" and "non-swingers"...no pun intended!!! I will be on the non-swingers :D

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

I vote for a Kevin Bogan sponsered swinger/non-swinger tournament.
First Prize a Fish Poison Fluke Rod and 20 assorted swinging bucktails.

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

i did give them a try 2 weeks ago (not kevins product) and i seemed to miss a lot of fish switched to the fixed and was hooking many more. I do agree with the head shake theory though. will give it another try saturday.

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

:eek: This could get interesting! I sold out of them earlier in the season and honestly do not know if I will have more this season. ( you guys all keep these jig makers very busy!). But, maybe there is a way we can get something going here. A friendly competition, with some good fun??? Hmmmmm......... Im up for any ideas the Master may have! :) Keep me informed on this one. Kevin comes up with some great ideas, I am all for something like this. ( September is the perfect time for bigger fish too! )

Like I said earlier here, I have none to sell here, but I admit, the swing hook can improve the landings, while protecting the released fish. ;)

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

If someone can find a boat willing to host a bunch of NJF swingers and non swingers, I would be glad to help organize and promote it on the site.

Bucktailing only... First half of the day devoted to swinging and second to non swinging and we compare the hook up to landing ratios.

Could be fun but getting late in the season here so if not this year then maybe next.

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Gerry,
That sounds like it would be pretty fun. I agree it is getting late but, if done soon it could still be done.

Any sponsor boats want to put up a special for this one??

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Count Me In If It Happens,will Buy Both For The Test;)

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

I'm in! I'll be swinging.

Leif

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Guys I tried my best but my wife says "NO SWINGING" for me :D
I will be on the non swinging team.

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Im in! I will see if we can find somebody. I think having 1/2 do each together would be a better comparison. You know how the bite changes. It may be unfair, if we were to do it at different parts of the trip.

Im in, as a trailer hook, no swinging. ;) I use a trailer, that goes directly on to the fixed hook. Its not an assist hook, but rather the 2nd hook is slipped right over the fixed hook. I have used as many as 3 hooks with whole squid! :D

Lets see if we can make this happen! Still, I do agree that a swing hook can be beneficial to the fish, as Kevin stated. I see the pros & cons to both sides. I will work on getting a boat to make this happen, if we can find enough guys to go. Lets get a list here. ( plus, it would be fun to meet everyone. )

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

I am in, Any excuse to go fishing is a good excuse.

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

I agree wth Max, a fixed hook will make the hole in the fish's mouth larger and if you slack up on the retrieve the hook fall out of it's mouth especially if you are using braid which has zero stretch. I've been stating this at all my seminars comparing Bunker Spoons with fixed and swinging hooks.

Tony

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

I AGREE 110%, non & swing rig, fishing should be done together on the same drifts..

Re: 3 Out Of 3 Tackle Shop Owners Agree, Swing Hooks Work Best
 

Hi jerry the real test should be a side by side comparison with swingers and non-swingers side by side. Fluke bite diferently from tide change, wind, etc. a fair test is side by side during the same conditions..i am in for sure!!