The Owner long shank hooks are traditionally used for rigging bait fish.  BUT! They work exceptional well for rigging large soft plastic baits; particularly long and large profile swim baits (a.k.a “paddle tails” or “swim shads”).

Large solid soft plastic swimbaits have some buoyancy. To get them to swim consistently below the water’s surface, I add weight. There are a variety of materials that can be used for weight. Chemically speak, tungsten (W, 19.25 g/cm3) is denser than lead (Pb, 11.34 g/cm3). Lead is denser than copper (Cu, 8.96 g/cm3). Copper is denser than steel (C+Fe,7.75 g/cm3). And steel is denser than tin (Sn, 7.31 g/cm3). I use a variety of materials based on depth and regulations.

For “shallow” running depths, I use insert weights made from tungsten, lead, or copper.  I secure them to the shank via thread and epoxy. For thread, you can use fly tying thread or recycled braided line. The latter allows you to really tighten the weights to the hook shank.

For “deeper” running depths, I use rubber core sinkers made from lead or steel. I remove the rubber core and bore out the channel with a power drill to accommodate the hook shank. Once the hook sits level inside the channel, I clamp the sinker onto the shank of the hook via vice grip pliers.

Solid body soft plastic swim baits can easily accommodate the diameter of a hook’s shank.  But, increasing that diameter with weights can cause splitting. Hence, I exploit a power drill and drill bits.

I align the Owner long shank hook on the side of the swimbait. I make a mark on the side where the hook starts to bend. I also make a mark where the hook will penetrate from the top of the swimbait.

I drill a hole through the nose of swim bait until the point where the hook starts to bend. I then drill a hole a 45 degree angle where the point of the hook will penetrate the top of the swim bait. This channel will allow the hook to be inserted into the swimbait at the exact position. To accommodate the weight’s length and diameter, I enlarge part of the channel using an appropriately sized drill bit.

The position of the weights on the shank will alter the action of the swimbait.  Mounting the weights near the eye of the hook will cause the swimbait to head dive and swim with the paddle tail upwards.  Mounting the weights towards the center of the hook will cause the soft plastic to fall and swim level.  Each action has it’s application. I use the former to target fish holding on bottom or near structure. I use the latter to target suspending fish.

Rigging long and large profile soft plastic swimbaits with Owner long shank hooks with various weights (1/16 oz to 1 oz) will allow you to fish them at precise depths in the water column.  Such versatility is unmatched by commercially available swimbaits with embedded weights, which tend to have increasing weight with increasing length.