Fishing has changed a lot over the years. Once upon a time, all you had to worry about was the color of a ribbon tail worm on a round bend worm hook. You’d toss it out on a pool cue with monofilament, and that was it. Today, anglers face an overwhelming selection of soft plastics in colors and profiles never seen before—from shad bodies to finesse worms.

As new baits enter the market, anglers need hooks that match the profiles to optimize both action and performance. For beginners and seasoned anglers alike, this can feel complicated. To make it easier, this blog focuses on just two types of hooks: round bend and extra wide gap (EWG). We’ll cover when to use each and why, plus tips from experienced anglers to guide your choices.

Before diving into the hook types, it’s important to note that fishing rarely deals in absolutes. No single hook is perfect for every situation. Matt Massey, for example, describes his rod as a paintbrush that helps him “paint a mental picture of what’s below the surface.” This perspective reminds us that your preference and confidence are what ultimately matter.

Hooks should serve your style, not dictate it. If you find a setup that works for you, even if it differs from the advice below, stick with it. As with fishing, experimentation often leads to the best results.

Round bend worm hooks work best with slender soft plastics or presentations requiring long casts, like Carolina rigs. The space between the hook bend and point (the gap) allows thin plastics to collapse, giving plenty of bite room to set the hook.

Additionally, the offset from the hook eye to the point raises the hook point naturally, which often leads to a higher hook-up percentage. Anglers have taken advantage of this for decades. Some popular baits for round bend hooks include:

• Flukes

• Senkos

• Ribbon tail worms

• Straight tail worms

Hooks like the Lazer Sharp L091 or Trokar TK100 are excellent examples.

EWG hooks excel with bulkier soft plastics, including creature baits, tubes, and beaver-style worms. The line tie and hook point are in line, which helps make baits weedless even when the point isn’t buried.

The larger gap gives thicker soft plastics room to collapse during the hookset. This feature is especially valuable when using larger baits that require more clearance. Examples of effective EWG hooks include:

• Lazer Sharp L092

• Trokar TK110

• Trokar TK120

In general, slimmer plastics suit round bend hooks, while bulkier plastics pair best with EWGs.

We asked Eagle Claw anglers for their take on round bend vs. EWG hooks.

George Mauries
Known for his deep knowledge of bass, George balances the latest trends with tried-and-true approaches. His perspective emphasizes the importance of confidence in your selection.

Matt Massey
A professional competitor in the National Professional Fishing League, Matt selects hooks to maximize every cast. His focus is efficiency and consistency in both tournament and casual settings.

Matt Mascarenas
Former guide and multi-species angler, Matt prioritizes reliable hook-ups for anglers of all skill levels. His approach proves that sometimes the simplest setups yield the best results.

For beginners, this guide provides a starting point for choosing the right hook. Experienced anglers can use it as a reminder to evaluate both round bend and EWG hooks in different scenarios. Ultimately, hook choice comes down to confidence, bait type, and fishing style. Try both, experiment, and find what works best for you on the water.