Choosing the Proper Hook or Jig Head for your Monster 3X Baits

By now you have probably heard about the most productive, most durable soft plastic on the market today, Monster 3X.  Once you have selected which bait to use, your next decision will have a tremendous impact on your success with these baits.  Do you choose weedless hooks or jig heads and what size do you choose?

First we will look at the T&A Bullhead Jigs.  They are available in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 oz sizes and all of them are designed with a 3/0 wide gap hook.  Almost all of our flats fishing, when we use jig heads, is done with the 1/8 oz Bullhead Jig.  If the wind is strong we will move up to the 3/16 oz for a bit of extra casting distance and to stay in contact with the bait better.  In water over 4 feet deep, if the goal is to fish on the bottom we break out the 1/4 oz.  When choosing which size would best work for you, just keep in mind where you are trying to fish in the water column.  At night in the dock lights, for example we stick to the 1/8 oz even though the water depth can be up to 10 feet, we are trying to stay just under the surface, not on the bottom.

Next are the T&A Weedless Belly Weighted Hooks.  These hooks have been responsible for taking the versatility of Monster 3X baits to a new level!  They are available in 2 sizes, 3/0 and 4/0 and the weights are 1/16 oz, 1/8 oz, 3/16 oz and 1/4 oz.  The most important thing to remember here is to use the 3/0 size with the 3 3/4" X-Move Shrimp, the 3 3/4" X-Swim and the 2 3/4" Slimshad.  Use the 4/0 with the 4 3/4" X-Move Shrimp, 4 3/4" X-Swim, 3 3/4" Slimshad and Ultrasoft Shrimp.  Using a hook that is too small on the bigger baits doesn't give enough penetration to get a solid hook set.  If you remember nothing else remember this:  Small hook for small baits, big hook for big baits!  The best all around weight for the Weedless Belly Weighted Hooks is by far the 3/16 oz.  Since the bait falls more horizontally, the sink rate is slower than the same weight jig head.  But again, experiment and find the size that fits your style of fishing.  The push pin on the hook makes rigging a breeze and being able to present these baits in heavy cover makes them a fish's nightmare.

If you're not sure how exactly to rig these baits that's okay, we have videos on our YouTube Channel that will have you rigging like a pro in no time!

David Jouppi
Treasure Coast Tackle