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

[Max@Pride Fishing Tackle]

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/?set=a.224267340938186.61275.220481501316770&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=226148950750025&set=a.224267340938186.61275.220481501316770&type=3&theater

[JerseyCoast]

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! ) :)

[Kevin Bogan]

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.

[scooter1010]

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.

[Bucktailboys.com]

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

[Rob B]

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

[scooter1010]

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

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 !!!!!

[Kevin Bogan]

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 !!!!!
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?

[Bucktailboys.com]

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

[scooter1010]

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

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

[Rob B]

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 !!!!!
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.

[JerseyCoast]

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

: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. ;)

[Gerry Zagorski]

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.

[scooter1010]

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.
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??

[vinntastic]

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

[Leif]

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.

I'm in! I'll be swinging.

Leif

[Bucktailboys.com]

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

[JerseyCoast]

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. )

[Max@Pride Fishing Tackle]

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

[Tony Maja]

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

[italianfisherman]

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

[PALMERS TACKLE]

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.
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!!