Kyhokie Posted August 19, 2017 Report Share Posted August 19, 2017 Hi all, Super Pumped that I found this forum. I live in North Texas and have just started getting into the whole swimbait thing. I have a quick question I've got some weedless HUD 68s and some top hooks. Does anyone ever have trouble hooking one with the weedless variety? It just seems to me like the hooks ride pretty low and it's a thick bait so I'm thinking it's going to take one hell of a hook set to get that hook into the fish's mouth. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you and looking forward to being a part of this community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted August 19, 2017 Report Share Posted August 19, 2017 Welcome to SU Michael! I don't have a hudd myself, but a weedless style will always be harder to hook up with than an exposed hook style. Make sure you have the right rod for the job and hammer em hard! Good luck! Kyhokie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Posted August 19, 2017 Report Share Posted August 19, 2017 I have not used the 8" weedless Hudds, that said I 've fished the 68's , shads & grass minnows . I've been pleasantly surprised with the hook-up ratio of these baits and once hooked they seem to stay pinned better than the jig hooks based on my experience . However I don't have as much time with these lures as some of the other guys on this board and I will be interested to hear their feedback . Kyhokie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nadinesmom Posted August 19, 2017 Report Share Posted August 19, 2017 never had any issues with the weedless 68, it is a smaller bait which minimizes the issue. when they clamp down on it they're gonna expose the hook, you just gotta give it the pop it needs to embed itself into the fish. i actually prefer the weedless 68 to the regular since you can drop it in around areas where fish position to feed (log jams, rocks, etc.). Primus and Kyhokie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeepinItReelFishing Posted August 19, 2017 Report Share Posted August 19, 2017 I love the weedless 68s and have fished them regularly for four years. Over that time my hook up ratio has been very good. Once piece of advice: I fish weedless swimbaits (the 68 and others) so much that I have a rig dedicated just for them. The main thing is to use braid. On the right rod the 68 can be launched well over 100ft, and when using the ROF12 the 68 has a fantastic "swimming" action on the fall. It is definitely a lure you want to 'mind your line' when you are allowing the lure to fall to depth....you WILL get strikes on the fall. There in lies the benefit of braid. On those long casts and when the lure is on the way down trying to set the hook with it on mono, copoly or even fluoro is a crap shoot. Mid way through my first year I transitioned from those lines to braid to a short leader (for stealth factor). The zero stretch of braid imparts a ton on energy and allowed for rock solid hook sets even at great distance. Also, the weedless 68 is most likely going to be used in and around some kind of cover.....grass, pads, timber, shrubs, etc. It is in these areas where you want the power of braid to move those fish as fast as possible away from those areas they may want to dive into. I have used it as a pitching lure for years (highly under utilized technique)...another place where the weedless design coupled to braid is a perfect match. bigbaitollie, Primus, Kyhokie and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossypumpkin Posted August 20, 2017 Report Share Posted August 20, 2017 I do very well on them with mono. Just have a solid rod. I can't beat the Dobyns 807 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyhokie Posted August 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2017 I do very well on them with mono. Just have a solid rod. I can't beat the Dobyns 807 I have the 795 fury. I may decide to use braid with that rod. I was going to use yo zuri hybrid 20lb as that is my favorite largemouth line, but will consider some options. And thanks @keepinitreelfishing never thought to pitch a hudd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted August 20, 2017 Report Share Posted August 20, 2017 I use straight braid on my 795. Was scared it would wrap around the guides and pop one off but I haven't had any issues so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timcauliffe Posted August 20, 2017 Report Share Posted August 20, 2017 Try setting the hook upwards like you would if you were fishing a frog. This will help. Mossypumpkin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Aker Posted August 21, 2017 Report Share Posted August 21, 2017 when i fish weedless rising sons, i always keep the rod pointed at the bait. im sure this would help here too. Morph808 and Primus 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morph808 Posted August 21, 2017 Report Share Posted August 21, 2017 Yeah keep rod pointed at the bait during the retrieve and a hard hookset will do the trick, even with some copoly 20lb+ test. Kyhokie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyhokie Posted August 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2017 Thanks for the advise fellas. As a new guy, the tips are very valuable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkling12 Posted August 26, 2017 Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 New guy here myself. Hudd 68 weedless and 795 are what I'm using and was thinking braid to a leader. Any real disadvantage to using braid and a leader over 20lb fluoro? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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