Offset hooks for fishing and their installation on silicone

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

It is used in jig spinning fishing in various equipment options. Its main purpose is to hold the silicone bait in such a way that when fishing there is a minimum of snags on bottom obstacles: stones, grass, plant stems, branches of coastal bushes. It can be considered that an offset rig is the simplest version of non-snacking gear. As any angler knows, fish love places where it is least convenient to catch them.

They are used for jig rigs, both the usual, most common one, with a Cheburashka weight, and more complex ones, such as a drop-shot, with a retractable leash, or Carolina gear. These rigs in the classic version are equipped with a single hook, which is assigned a rather difficult task:

1. It should not interfere with the play of the bait during uniform or stepped wiring.
2. It should reliably detect fish during hooking and give a minimum number of escapes.
3. With its help it should be convenient to place and remove baits, changing them and using different types if necessary.
4. He must hold these baits securely, allowing a predator to grab them, and at the same time not injure these baits too much, so that they last as long as possible.

The types of offset hooks are determined by their use.

What are offset hooks and how to tie them?

What are they and what are they for? Type overview

According to form Through material

Sizes Best manufacturers Selection rules How to use?

Successful fishing depends primarily on the right choice of equipment. Each of its elements must be adapted to the conditions of the upcoming event - from the weather to the preferences of the desired catch. If you plan to fish in hard-to-reach places, such as under lily pads or reeds, it is best to use offset hooks.

What is it and what is it for?

An offset hook is a type of fishing accessory invented in the USA as a removable fastener for spinning bass fishing. Its characteristic feature is a Z-shaped bend, which serves as a holding element when placing the bait, and a tight fit of the tip to the body of the bait, which minimizes the possibility of snagging. After some time, the main offset models were modernized.

Hooks came in various types and sizes, thanks to which they became a common element in the arsenal of fishermen, used in difficult conditions for electrical installation.

Offset hooks are considered a universal invention. Ideal for jigging and throwing gear.

Compared to classic hooks, offset hooks have many advantages.

Correct placement of the bait guarantees maximum mobility of the set. A wide selection of shapes and sizes of offset hooks allows anglers to choose the most suitable devices for catching perch, pike and other fish. Easy and convenient offset hook attachment. Long service life and reasonable cost.

Overview of species

To date, several types of offset hooks have been developed, each of which has its own individual characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Texas hook. The presented type of hook is intended for use together with a carabiner of the same name. Suitable for soft silicone baits such as vibrating tails or classic artificial worms. This variety differs in the size of the ear; it can be large or small.

Hook-hook. This type of offset is used for catching large fish at a decent distance from the coastline. This type of hook allows you to cut the trophy deeply. The more actively the fish attacks the bait, the harder the offset hook hits the throat.

Big gap. When using this hook you may see a large gap between the bait and the offset shaft. This slot acts as a lever when hooking a fish. This type of hook can be used for both soft and hard baits.

Offset hooks with lead weight. This removable hook penetrates weeds better than its counterparts and does not require any additional weight. The only downside to lead displacement is that it cannot be used over long distances.

Offset hook with spring. The spring, which is present in the design of the hook, is screwed into the bait, thanks to which it will not break under any conditions and will withstand the bite and the “sending” stage of production better than others.

By shape

The presented varieties of hooks are distinguished not only by their individual characteristics, but also by the shape of the Z-shaped bend of the step.

Texas hook. This variety is a classic version of the offset hook. The design of the product has a rectangular bend placed at the base, which makes it harmonious with narrow and elongated lures.

Hook-hook. The design feature of this type of offset is the absence of a step. Instead, the piece has a crescent-shaped tip, at the end of which is a folded ear. Thanks to this design, the bait does not come off, which has a positive effect on long casts.

Big gap. The design of this type of hook is equipped with a front part and a Z step. This design easily works with larger sized lures.

Offset hooks with lead weight. The ideal solution for spinning. The weight is placed in the center of the crescent curve followed by the Z rung.

Offset hook with spring. In the construction of this model there is a spring on which the bait is twisted. Anglers note that this is very convenient because the bait does not slip and is not lost.

Based on materials

The best material for offset hooks is stainless steel. Such hooks are not subject to corrosion, are highly flexible, and do not deform during active use.

However, today you can also find offset hooks made of other materials in stores. For example, this is ordinary steel.

After forming, steel hooks go through various stages of processing. This may be heat treatment, hardening or tempering, which gives the product specific properties. Finally, they are plated with aluminum or bronze or nickel plated.

Dimensions

Today, at points of sale of goods for fishermen, there is a wide range of offset hooks. And most of all they differ in size. Models marked 5/0, 4/0, 3/0 are designed for catching trophies. The higher the number, the larger the shift size. For lighting equipment, models numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 have been developed.

Types of offset hooks and their features

One of the main features that anglers pay attention to is the significant size of offset hooks compared to tees, which are traditionally placed on spinners and wobblers. Indeed, the size of the hook is sometimes two or three times larger, it can range from one centimeter for a not too large perch to about five to six centimeters for a good pike, and even be even larger.

The second feature is the presence of an additional bend near the eyelet and the eyelet itself. As a rule, the hook has a large eye, with which it can not only be tied to a fishing line, but also conveniently attached using fairly thick fasteners to a leash, equipment or swivel. At the same time, the equipment itself must maintain mobility, that is, the eyelet itself is made in such a way that it can move freely on the clasp.

of 90 degrees, and double in the form of the letter Z. The bend serves to hold the bait and, in some cases, to tie it to the fishing line, such as in a drop-shot rig. The most commonly used is the second type of bend in the form of the letter Z; the second type of offset hook for attaching silicone baits is used only in drop-shots.

There are also many other options, mainly related to additional equipment. For example, a variant with a spring is often found. It allows you to place silicone on an offset hook in such a way that it is minimally injured even when biting hard and playing fish, when it clings to the teeth of a large pike and does not pull out of the hook completely.

The second common option for additional equipment is an offset hook with additional weight. It allows you to do without additional weight and is attached directly to the body of the hook. This equipment option allows you to orient it upward with the sting immediately when diving, which avoids snags. And due to the absence of additional equipment elements in the form of weights and fasteners, it can easily pass among grass and other vegetation and provides a minimal number of hooks, although the size itself should be significantly larger than without weights.

When to use?

The offset hook is one of the best inventions of modern anglers. It made it possible to fish in difficult places by mounting silicone baits on it. The main situations on a reservoir when equipping the “rubber” with offset is most justified are:

• Fishing in snags, wells and rubble of trees fallen into the water.
• Fishing among aquatic vegetation.
• Fishing in areas where the bottom is heavily covered with shell rock.
• Fishing on rocky and pebble bottoms.

Wherever there is a high probability of a hook, installing silicone baits on an offset hook allows you not only to save the bait from breaking, but also to present it to the predator in a high-quality manner, prompting him to grab it.

Hook bend shapes

In total, three types of bending are used in practice, and each of them is intended for its own purposes:

1. Texas rig - a regular arched bend behind the straight forend, followed by a bend near the lug. The very first offset hooks for silicone were just like this; this form is still popular in drop-shot rigs.
2. Wide gap - a wide bend; unlike the Texas one, there is no clearly defined straight section of the forearm. On the contrary, the offset machine turns out to be much wider and has a greater number of bites. The sting from it needs to be brought out when using a silicone bait; it injures the bait itself much less.
3. Sickle hook - a crescent-shaped bend with a clearly defined curved area right next to the sting, the sting itself is also wrapped inward. These give more bites when biting passively, in addition, they themselves are small in size, which sometimes affects the number of fish caught.

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Wide gap is by far the most popular and frequently used hook bend shape. This form can be divided into two varieties. The first is when the sting points exactly to the ear. Used for worms, slugs, twisters, and other narrow baits. The second is that the sting is higher than the ear. Used when you need an offset hook for a vibrotail or other wide bait.

The Texas Bend originally came first, but is little used today. The fact is that with such a bend it is necessary to hide the tip a little in the bait, and when the fish bites, it breaks through its top layer and releases the sting, making it possible to hook. Naturally, this does not have the best effect on the lifespan of such bait. Therefore, they are more often used on relatively large and coarse baits, which, being slightly frayed on one side, can be turned over on the other and continue fishing.

In addition, this type works worse with hard silicone - only high-quality soft silicone is needed here. And the shape does not have the best effect on the implementation of bites - the fish needs to actively grab the silicone in order to be hooked, this does not always happen. However, in drop-shot type rigs, this option is used quite often, when you need to directly tie the hook to the leash from the fishing line, and then the loading comes. A bait with such a hook looks most natural in the current, constantly oriented in the right direction, while at the same time, as on another hook, it can turn over and take strange positions, only scaring off the fish.

The crescent hook was originally used in jig heads. This shape allows you to effectively hook fish and, according to many fishermen, is self-hooking. The author, however, is sure that this form still requires control and cutting. The main thing that distinguishes this form from others is that with its use you can use a much smaller hook size, this will not affect the implementation of bites.

The sickle-shaped one may also have, in addition to the “claw” on the sting, an additional transverse bend of the sting to the side - the so-called 3d bend. This will increase the chance of catching a fish that has bitten, since in this case the hook is likely to dig into the corner of the mouth, where the tissues are softer and easier to cut through. At the same time, this may not be very practical for cutting through the hard palate; more force will be required when cutting.

Basically, when fishing, the first two variants of the form are used, so further we will only talk about them.

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What types of fishing hooks are there and their purpose ? We described the most popular types of hooks and how they work, as well as where they are used.

Offset hook

The offset hook is a specially shaped single hook with a Z-shaped bend (step), the step is located on the upper part of the sternum in front of the anchor ring. This arrangement hides the point of the hook. This also gives the silicone tongue a strong anchor for the bait. The Z-curve prevents the bait from slipping off the hook.

During rest, the tip is hidden in the bait, so it does not get in the way or get caught on obstacles. During a bite, at the moment of hooking, the sting is released and catches the predator.

Offset hook or simply offset hook (offsetnyk) translated from English means “offset hook”. It was invented at the beginning of the last century in the USA for catching perch in hard-to-reach places. Since then, the offset hook has been improved many times for use in a wide variety of installations.

Application area

The offset hook is a phenomenal invention that has significantly expanded the capabilities of spinning fishermen. Difficult places (snowballs, rubble or heavily overgrown areas) have become accessible to anglers. These places are often chosen by predators. It is almost impossible to catch such reservoirs with a classic hook. There is a very high probability of losing the bait. Offset solves this problem perfectly. As a result, the number of fish caught increases dramatically, especially when fishing for pike perch and humpback.

The creation of offset led to the invention of a huge number of new ways of fishing. First of all, it is necessary to emphasize the combination of Offset and soft baits: silicone, foam rubber and rubber, which easily pass through thickets and algae without getting caught. The bait on an offset hook moves smoothly through the water, avoiding underwater obstacles. This is called a verified installation.

By equipping an uncoupled “cheburaeshka” (ear-shaped weight) and connecting it through an offset crown ring, we get a rotating mount for the conductor, which guarantees clear free movement and greater freedom of action.

Offset modifications

Offset hooks are primarily classified by shape and size. When choosing the right offset hook, you should also pay attention to its manufacturer and the material from which it is made.

Variety of shapes

Offset hooks differ in the shape of the step and the shape of the bend of the rod. Each type is designed to solve a specific problem. You can always choose the appropriate offset for each lure in terms of its type, shape and length, so it is recommended to buy them together. Let's look at the most popular forms of offset baits:

The Texas hook is an offset hook with a straight bend. Ideal for lining lures with a long narrow body (twisters, worms, snails, and wobblers with a slot on the back). It is popular in jigs and checkerboard jigs such as Texas and Carolina.

Wide Gap is an advanced wide arch offset liner. This bend creates a gap between the bait and the jig. This crack acts as a lever when the bait bites. As a result, the chance of a successful hook increases because the predator presses hard on the hook. Wide Gap is popular for hard baits. There are two varieties of Wide Gap: The hook, the point of which is directed towards the eye, is effective in combination with vibrating tails and other bulky baits;

For narrow baits, a hook is used, the tip of which is directed towards the eye.

Crescent hook – offset with a crescent curve. Invented relatively recently. The crescent shape provides a more secure grip on the bait. When bitten, the predator stops itself. It also holds prey well when baited. As a result, the number of baits is significantly reduced. The Sickle Hook is also very useful for long distances and difficult rigs.

In addition to the types described above, a jig hook with slate fittings is often used. This is usually a Wide Gap. Its purpose is fishing in the wilderness and dense thickets of coastal areas. These offsets do not require additional weights because accuracy is the priority over throw distance.

Offset hook numbering and size table

It is very different from the numbering used for classic float and bottom fishing. The fact is that offset printers are much larger than there, although the same system exists for them. Nowadays the English numbering system , where for a large number the designations 1/0, 2/0 and so on are introduced, up to 5/0 - the largest size.

The fact is that in this system the largest one goes under number 1, and the smallest one that is found on sale is 14. Probably, in order to show how much larger this hook is than number 1, it is assumed that it goes under number 0, or 1/ 0. Next comes 00, 000 and so on, up to 00000, or five zeros, 5/0. Since offset hooks are very large, they only have “zero” numbers. In practice, even 1/0 is very rarely used, so 2/0 or greater should be considered.

What is the true size of these hooks? The distance from the tip to the forend, if its size is 1, is approximately 10 mm. Further, the dimensions according to this classification increase by 2 mm, if you go to the “zero” range. That is, a 1/0 hook will be already 12 mm wide, 2/0—14 mm, 3/0—16 mm, 4/0—18 mm, 5/0—20 mm wide. In practice, using 2/0 and above means that hooks with a width of 14 mm or more are used.

However, here everything will also greatly depend on the type of bend itself. For example, the Texas rig allows you to quite clearly determine the distance from the forearm to the sting, since its shape is very similar to a regular fish hook. But for the Wide gap shape it is more difficult to determine this figure; it does not have a clearly defined straight forearm, it is curved. In fact, even with the same number, these hooks will be visually different in size - the Texas one will look smaller.

Are smaller hooks used when jig fishing? Yes, they do apply in some cases. Mainly when it comes to jig heads. There, indeed, you can often find the use of numbers 1, 1/0, but only when catching small perch. Also, ultralight with a jig head is often caught with smaller hooks. The fact is that using small hooks will not only not allow you to place a quality bait on it, but will also result in an excessive number of catches.

But you should not use too large hooks in all cases. A small bait placed on a large hook will have an unnatural action, too harsh.

Especially when it comes to vibrating tails - for them you can take slightly smaller hooks than for other baits, for example, worms. Therefore, you should always try to match the size of the bait. If it is too large for the fish itself, but the bait plays well, that’s okay. Even at 4/0 it is quite possible to catch palm-sized bass if they like big rubber bands at this time of year.

Table of offset hook sizes and their ratios

If you know the numbering of offset hooks that are needed for fishing, you can purchase products from different companies, regardless of the country of manufacture. A convenient table makes it possible to find out the numerical designations in different numbering systems .

The size table for offset hooks is easy to use : for example, No. 6 in the domestic classification will correspond to number 10 in the Japanese and Finnish systems, as well as number 8 in the international (English) classification.

When converting a size to another classification, it is important to be sure that the manufacturer has correctly indicated the dimensions of the offset hooks. If similar products have already been used during fishing, you can measure them, and only after that choose the appropriate size in any of the classifications .

It is important to note that in the CIS the former Soviet numbering of offset hooks is more common, in Europe the international (English) classification is popular, and manufacturers in the Land of the Rising Sun create products according to the Japanese system. If a company produces hooks for export, they can also be classified according to international classification.

Offset hook sizes by numbers for different fish

Depending on the type of fish, offset hooks are used from number 2/0 to number 5/0.

For pike

Pike are traditionally caught using the largest rubber bands. Therefore, if offset hooks are used for pike, then the largest ones are 5/0 and 4/0. With this one you can easily hook and catch even a thirty-centimeter “pencil”. Not to mention the measured herbs weighing 300–400 grams. If they catch a large predator, then the hook for the pike is already much larger - only 5/0 and nothing else.

However, pikes are not caught with an offset hook too often. The fact is that pike bite better on bait that is not located at the bottom, but in the water column and with a uniform retrieve. Therefore, a head is best suited here, rather than an offset press. Accordingly, the hook size should be 2/0 or higher. But this is only for heads.

In practice, quite often, instead of a head when fishing for pike, they use an already loaded offset. This is often practiced when fishing among grass, while casting under reeds or in the windows of water lilies. A loaded offset machine may well imitate the behavior of a jig head, but it should still be used only where the use of the head is limited due to many hooks. A head with an upper eyelet behaves completely differently in water than an offset machine and handicraft heads that were popular in post-Soviet times, which had an eyelet at the front. The hook size for a pike, which is already initially pre-loaded, should be around 5/0.

For perch

Perch is a much smaller fish than pike, so miniature baits are often used for it. Their type also differs: if for pike they used mainly a vibrating tail, sometimes it happens to put a twister on a hook, and only occasionally - worms, crayfish, octopuses, then for perch a twister on an offset hook is usually the main fishing tool, followed by worms, then crayfish, The vibrotail is not placed on an offset hook so often, and the author has not seen a single bite from a perch on an octopus. However, this is all the opinion of the author; everyone here will have their own personal experience. Smaller baits require a smaller hook. 2/0—4/0 will do just fine here.

Perch is often, more often than pike, caught using edible rubber. Therefore, the question arises whether the same size should be used for edible rubber and for regular rubber, or whether it is better to use some other size. In practice, whether it is edible or regular does not matter. However, in reality, edible rubber is usually more rigid; there is probably some influence of special edible impregnation.

Therefore, the choice of hook should be approached more carefully. You should try to use a larger one, because usually harder rubber will behave worse when hooking, even when the fish has managed to chew it. At the same time, you need to make sure that the hook does not extend beyond the inactive body of the bait, that is, does not interfere with its play.

For zander

Pike perch is a fish that many people catch incorrectly and therefore do not catch often. In fact, the fish is quite common; at night in summer it comes out to feed on sandy and pebble shallows, and during the day it tries to stay in deep places. The largest pike perch almost never emerge from them at all, since it does not need to actively feed - the fish’s metabolism slows down significantly with age.

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The main catch of a spinning angler when fishing with an offset hook on an elastic band is small and medium-sized pike perch. The same baits are used as for perch. However, the hook for pike perch must be large. In fact, the only applicable number for this fish is 3/0, and only occasionally 4/0 is used when the size of the bait allows it.

At the same time, in the author’s opinion, the most successful way to catch this fish in the current is to use a drop-shot type rig at night and in the evening, which allows you to literally stop the rig and play along with it, practically without moving it at one point. In still water, the drop shot is used much less frequently, and it is possible that it will also perform well there.

For drop shots, it is convenient to use Texas-type offset presses, Texas rig. They should be chosen a little larger than the Wide Rig in order to cut through the pike perch mouth well. By the way, not only the size matters here, but also the thickness of the wire from which it is made. For pike perch you need to use thick wire, as it is more reliable when hooking, less shock absorbent, although it seriously injures the silicone. Regarding edible rubber for pike perch, the recommendations are the same as for perch, the hook does not differ much in size, but you need to be more critical in choosing it, taking a larger one if possible.

Easy-to-catch installation of silicone on offset with loading for overgrown reservoirs

The calendar spring is already ending, and the water level on many rivers does not approach summer levels, which makes fishing on them difficult and sometimes impossible. And the results are not at all encouraging, so I’m mastering reservoirs that are not quite familiar to me when catching spring pike. But even here, quite a few features emerge that should be taken into account and adjusted to the fishing conditions.

This year, in the spring of 2021, the water is quite high and spinning fishing from the shore has become more difficult, getting close to the water has become more difficult. You have to cast from afar and the fishing takes place among old, dry reeds. Catching pike with a jig in the classic version is almost impossible. In this case, one catchy rig for pike, which includes a pre-loaded offset hook and a string leash, is very helpful. In this option, there is a minimum number of hooks and a greater number of bites. You will also need a powerful spinning rod to quickly tear the predator out of the grass. Silicone lures Akara Jobe - lovisnami.by/sh...ara-jobe/ Offset hook with weight KUJIRA - lovisnami.by/sh...ira-2435/ Offset hook with weight AKARA - lovisnami.by/sh...oj-akara/ Spinning rod Akara Teuri HS, test 21-56 g - lovisnami.by/sh...teuri-hs/ Spinning reel Akara Teuri - lovisnami.by/sh...ra-teuri/ Our online store in Belarus: lovisnami.by/ Fish with us, Fishing in Belarus Vkontakte: vk.com/fishing47 Fish with us on Instagram: instagram.com/l…nami__by/ #fishing #lovisnamiby #pikefishing

First of all, this is a difficult-to-reach coastal zone, there are few normal approaches, the coast is mostly swampy and you have to jump over bumps and wade through knee-deep water. In some places, in principle, it is impossible to approach the water’s edge; you have to cast through the thickets and also rip out the caught fish back. And the reservoir itself is actively overgrown with water lilies, and there are also plenty of other obstacles in the form of last year’s vegetation, dry cattails and reeds.

A healthy offset holds the fish securely, even if it hangs on the “nozzle”.

Such fishing conditions force the use of non-snacking baits, otherwise there is no other way. And here the weighted offset comes to the rescue, which I have used before when fishing from a boat in similar places, but not in the spring, and not from the shore. And then everything came together perfectly, the results can be seen in the new video, enjoy and useful viewing!

A slow, even retrieve allows the pike to strike accurately, with zero chance of getting lost!

Offset hooks for microjigging

Microjig is a separate topic that not everyone is familiar with. The fact is that in the classic version, this type of fishing can rarely be used for fishing from the bottom or in the near-bottom layer.

And for fishing in the grass, snags and strong places, this method will be quite controversial - an ultra-thin nanofile will not withstand snags even on thin grass, and tearing a hook out of sedge or reeds will be an impossible task for it. And almost all offset machines are made with the aim of giving fewer hooks and catching from the bottom and in strong places.

Therefore, for microjig they use not offset hooks, but all kinds of heads, which are used to move the bait in the water column, sometimes on top. Accordingly, fish such as asp, chub, ide, and rudd will often become prey here. If they install an offset machine, then at least a Cheburashka weight is used, which is never used for small scales.

Sometimes you can find a modification of a standard offset jig for microjigging, when a weight is placed on a small hook, similar to a pre-loaded hook for fishing in the grass.

Perhaps such equipment will show itself. But under the same conditions, a regular head will be much more catchy, and it is better to leave the hook for fishing in the grass. Its size, if you take a hook with a weight, will already be quite substantial, which does not fit into the concept of microjig - you can just as well fish with a regular spinning rod, with normal dough, braid, or reel.

What is the difference between offset hooks?

Offset hooks with bait can be used on reservoirs with a clogged bottom and uneven terrain . There are a majority of such water bodies, so offset models of fishing accessories do not lose popularity. The hooks are “non-snag”, so they will not create difficult situations when fishing, including causing broken fishing line or cord.

Unlike other hooks, offset models have a double bend near the fastening ring, and the offset of the axis provides an offset of the point, which is pressed against the bait and prevents snagging . The sizes of offset hooks are adapted for mounting soft bait - vibrotail or twister.

The offset press was invented in the USA at the beginning of the twentieth century. This product was designed exclusively for largemouth bass fishing. The offset hook showed excellent fishing performance, and it could easily pass through any thickets, branches or snags.

With the advent of a large assortment of artificial baits, such characteristics became the basis for the emergence of other types and sizes of offset hooks.

Since the products are used with bait, it is important that the size of the offset hooks matches the bait, as well as the intended size of the fish. Therefore, classification systems were developed in different countries, in which each size was assigned a number. But today, trade volumes have increased significantly, and government import controls are not as strict, and there is often confusion about the size of offset hooks . After all, manufacturers do not change labeling when delivering products abroad.

Offset hook for different baits: how to attach and select the size

Most often, four types of silicone baits are used with an offset machine:

1. Twister is a classic.
2. Vibrotail is also a classic, but different.
3. Worm.
4. Cancer.

The twister, vibrotail and crayfish have a clearly defined body. In the vibrotail it is wider, in the twister and crayfish it is narrow and elongated. Worms have a long and almost straight body, which only has active play. They can be smooth or ribbed, depending on the design. Crayfish are a special bait that is attached identically to a twister, but it is important to choose the right head and tail.

For a fisherman, it is important not only to put rubber on an offset hook with high quality, but also to preserve it for as long as possible. Therefore, when using offsets, most often the bait is placed on it once and then not changed. The fact is that frequent replanting spoils the silicone body; it will not withstand more than three to five such cycles. Therefore, anglers strive to correctly and efficiently put the bait on an offset hook at home, and then change the nozzle along with it.

When fishing, bait is placed only when the bait is lost and a bare hook remains. Most often this happens when the fish tears off the silicone or breaks off along with it. To make this happen less often, a special spring attachment or corkscrew is used, on which the bait will be wound and the likelihood that it will fly off is much less. Next, we consider the classic method of baiting a simple hook; how to put a silicone bait on a hook with a corkscrew will follow after that.

Twister

The twister is mounted on the offset hook at two points; installing the twister is the basics that are easiest to master at the beginning. First, the front part is pierced near the head from top to bottom, through the center of the body and at an angle downward. Then the hook moves forward, almost to the eye, and turns over with the tip facing up. After this, it is either removed in the middle of the body, leaving the tail free, or the sting should be slightly hidden in the body.

They hide the sting when caught on a Texas rig. In this case, the twister in the area from the head to the tip should not sag or be wrinkled - it should be straight. The size of the hook to match the size of the twister is selected so that the tip sticks out approximately in the last third of its body, leaving a free area near the beginning of the tail - this way its play will look natural and active.

Installation of an offset hook on a vibrating tail

Vibrotail is a bait that imitates a fish. Often decorated with sparkles, it has a provocative coloring. The main element of a vibrating tail is the tail, which should have free play. The tail itself must be the required width and thickness. For high-quality play, the vibrotail must have at least half of its body completely free; the bait must be correctly placed on the offset bait so that the hook should enter the back of the body no more than half the length. Its size should be half the length of the vibrotail.

Another thing that plays a role here is the width of the hook. For a vibrating tail, it takes a little more, because there must be some distance from the belly to the back, plus you also need to take a hook with a reserve for effective hooking. Accordingly, a wide and short hook is used. Hooks of the Wide gap type will have a sting slightly higher for a vibrotail than the eye; for a twister and other lures, the sting should point towards the eye.

Sometimes the same hooks are used as for twisters, but in this case the sting remains deep in the body of the bait, and a longitudinal cut is made along the back so that the hook comes out when hooked. The vibrotail is attached in the same way as a twister - at the first stage, the head is pierced from the front from top to bottom at the edge, after which the hook moves, turns over and is brought out into the back.

Worms

Worms are a passive bait that only has active play. It fits like a twister, but a much larger part of the worm will stick out from behind than the tail of the twister. Which hook to choose will depend more on the thickness of the worm rather than its length. The thickness of the worm should be approximately half the width of the hook if the worm is ribbed. For a smooth worm, this ratio is taken three times. It is inserted in the same way as a twister, but here everything is simpler - there is no difference between the top and bottom of the worm, the initial puncture can be made in any direction.

Cancers

Crayfish, cuttlefish, frogs, dragonflies and others - all these baits can be conveniently combined into one large group. They have a pronounced oblong body, and in one of its parts they have either “claws” or “wings”, or other parts that hang outside the body and are wider than it. Silicone frogs also belong to this type - instead of “claws” they have “legs”.

In cancer, it is important to determine where the head is and where the tail is. The mounted crayfish should have free “claws” in the back. When retrieving, they should follow the hook and dangle freely, play in the water, attracting fish. This is how a crayfish escapes from danger by swimming - with its tail forward and its claws back. In a normal situation, the crayfish does not move backwards, but crawls forward along the bottom with its mustache and claws. Accordingly, you need to attach the crayfish in exactly the same way as a twister - pierce the head from top to bottom in the front part, move the bait to the eye, then turn the hook over and bring the sting to the upper part.

The hook size for a crayfish should be slightly larger than for a twister. That is, it should go out a little further than the last third of the bait body.

Fitting with a corkscrew

A corkscrew, or spring, is a special device made of wire; it is a wire twisted in the shape of a corkscrew, which has a wire rod in the central part of the spiral, and behind it there is an eyelet made of the same piece of wire with which the corkscrew is attached to the eyelet. The spring is removable; if desired, you can make it yourself or purchase it in a store, and then put it on a hook or remove it.

The process is carried out in the same way as when baiting in the usual way, but instead of the first puncture, you need to screw the nose of the bait onto a corkscrew. Before doing this, you need to note approximately where the sting will come out. After the bait is wound, the bait is pierced from the bottom up at the desired point. Sometimes this will require the bait to be stretched a little to get it through the bend, but once hooked it will fit properly.

How to attach an offset hook to fishing line and equipment

The word “tie” to offset hooks is used quite rarely. It must be said that the use of knots when attaching an offset machine is done in the only case - when using drop-shot equipment. However, in this case, the hook is not placed directly on the main line, but is tied to a special leash made of leash material, and then, if replacement is necessary, it is removed along with the leash. In this case, it is also convenient to put the weight removable so that you can remove the hook with bait and leash, and then put another leash and attach the same load to it.

The fact is that for fishing with offset hooks, braided fishing line is used. Ordinary fishing line is not considered - with it, normal fishing with a spinning jig is usually impossible, you can only do uniform wiring in the water column, but this is no longer what is required. Offsets, as already mentioned, are practically not used in microjig; jig heads are used there, which are attached to a nanofilament - a very thin fishing line from the point of view of spinning fishing. Tying knots on a braided line is another activity; any fisherman knows how difficult it is. Feederists, for example, use a special looper also because it makes working with braid easier.

The looper is not used in jig fishing. To connect with braided fishing line, a special device is used - an American fastener. It is easily attached to a braided line and then easily removed. The clasp has two loops - the first, to which all the other equipment, including hooks, is attached, has a bend adjacent to the main body - this is the clasp itself. The second loop has a tip that intersects with the central wire of the American one. The cord comes out through it and goes further.

To fasten, first bend the cord in half, making a loop with a tail of about 2 cm. The American clasp is put on this loop. Then five to six turns are made around the body of the fastener with a cord folded in half, and after that the cord is pulled out through the second loop. The clasp is in place, you can catch it.

If desired, the American one can be easily removed; you just need to take the cord loop by both ends, take it out of the upper ring, unwind the turns back from the body and remove it from the clasp. Such fastening does not injure the cord, does not require cutting off the section with the knot when replacing equipment, and will be the only correct one. Optionally, you can place a silicone bead or just a piece of elastic on the cord in front of the American one - this will protect the spinning tulip from being hit by a metal fastener and other elements when reeling in.

In the case when it is necessary to install some complex equipment, it is placed on a separate leash, usually made of flyer, but sometimes ordinary fishing line is also used, loops are made at the ends of the flyer, which are fixed with special metal clips, and only then weights and equipment elements are attached to them , and at the end where the cord should come out, a swivel is placed and the same American fastener is attached to it, which clings to the loop of the swivel and is tied to the cord in the standard way.

How to attach an offset hook to a Cheburashka

For fishing with an offset hook, you should purchase so-called collapsible Cheburashka weights. They have a wire fastening and a body in which there is a flat cutout into which the wire is inserted. The fastening has two loops, a large and a smaller one, and on the side of the smaller loop it can be easily removed from the Cheburashka, but on the side of the larger one it no longer fits - if it does, then it’s a defect.

To install the offset hook on the Cheburashka, you will need to disassemble it. Then the hook is put on the larger loop of the fastener. After this, the fastener is pushed into the groove of the Cheburashka with its tip, where the loop is smaller. After the Cheburashka is assembled, an American one is attached to it at the other end, from which a cord comes out. The simplest installation of an offset hook is ready.

In some cases, they prefer to install more complex installations. For example, they use a clasp with a swivel, to which an offset hook is already attached. Here everything is the same as in the case of a conventional fastening, but first a swivel loop is placed in the large loop of the Cheburashka, and then the Cheburashka is assembled. The hook is already attached with a clasp. On the reverse side of the Cheburashka there is an American one and a cord.

Drive equipment and installation with offset machine

The author does not go into details of the installation of numerous leash rigs, what kind of weight is placed, where and what size the bead should be, whether it is made of glass or silicone, the length of the leash, etc. In order to understand the general principles of attaching a hook, it will be enough to consider two type of leash rigs - drop-shot and retractable leash. Although all the others have their own subtleties, attaching an offset hook to them is practically no different.

Lead rigs are constructed using a leader or several leaders. Equipment elements are attached to the leash or to it. And only then the American wire and cord are installed.

The author believes that for jig fishing you need to use fluorocarbon leashes with a diameter of 0.3 mm. This leash is quite universal, moderately hard, and it has a good effect on the action of the bait - on a leash made of fluoride, when retrieved, it floats longer in the water column and slowly sinks. A thicker flurik is usually too rigid, it is impossible to tie a knot on it and all fastening elements are made only with the help of fasteners. Fluorocarbon plays the role of a leash when fishing for pike - there has never been a case of a pike biting it. True, a large pike can damage it - in this case, the leash is simply replaced.

Also, in the author’s opinion, any leash made of flurik should have two loops, at the beginning and end, made using metal clips, and two swivels that are placed in these loops. This also applies to leashes to which a hook with an attachment is attached, and to those to which weights and auxiliary elements are attached.

All complex elements where theoretically knots are needed, where something needs to be additionally secured, on which something should slide or walk, should be on a fluorocarbon leash. A single fastening knot is used on the cord - where the American one is placed. All the rest of the tackle is already attached to it, so it will move easier if there are longitudinal moving elements and will not injure the cord.

Fastening the offset hook in the “retractable leash” equipment

A retractable leash is a rig in which a weight is attached to a cord, and behind the weight there is a fluorocarbon leash, to which a hook is attached, which has a minimal load or no load at all. The leash is made with two swivels at the edges. One of the swivels also has a clasp. An offset hook with bait already attached in advance is attached to the clasp. If desired, it can be easily replaced by simply opening the clasp and removing the hook.

It is convenient to use a standard detachable Cheburashka as a load. In this case, it should have significantly more weight than when fishing in the usual way without a leash, especially in the current. If desired, you can attach any other load, or a leash with a load. There is a variant of the Moscow rig with a triple swivel - in this case, one of the ends of the triple swivel is attached to the leash, an American fastener and a fluorocarbon leash with a weight are attached to the other two ends; the leash in this case must have a fastener for attaching to the swivel. A leash with a weight must also be equipped with two swivels - this must be taken as an axiom and used on all elements of equipment made of hard fluorocarbon.

Advantages

Any installation option has its advantages and disadvantages. The offset worker is no exception. If you put the bait on an offset hook, the angler receives the following advantages:

• The ability to carry out wiring in any difficult places where hungry fish are always standing.
• The game of the bait does not change; it remains attractive and appetizing to the predator.
• The offset holds the proposed artificial bait well, making it difficult for a predator to tear it or pull it off the hook.

Silicone mounted on an offset hook retains a sufficient degree of freedom. This significantly expands the capabilities of the spinner, allowing him to perform various animation techniques. The fisherman can make leisurely movements, which are good at seducing a passive predator, and supplement the feed with jerking elements.

The offset tip should touch the back of the bait tightly to minimize snags

The disadvantage of installing an offset hook with a vibrating tail is the need to select the correct offset model. It should have a large width so that the mounted equipment, after a predator bites, is brought into a “combat” state, when an effective hook can be made.