6 Best Jigheads and Swimbait Hooks for Surf Fishing (Weedless)

Looking for some of the best swimbait hooks for surf fishing? With so many options, choosing the best swimbait hook or jighead for surf fishing (or any other style of fishing) can be intimidating and challenging. I’ve been trialing countless swimbaits and swimbait hooks for a while now, and I’m hoping I can shed some light on what’s important in a swimbait hook and which ones are worth your time.

All the hooks on this list are hooks that I keep in my arsenal when surf fishing with swimbaits and each swimbait hook has it’s own set of strengths and weaknesses which make some great for some situations and others for others. I’ve tried plenty of hooks that didn’t quite make the cut, but here’s what I’ve got for you.

#1 Best Swimbait Hook: Mustad Weighted KVD Grip-Pin

Currently, I think this is the best swimbait hook for surf fishing. If you’re going with this swimbait hook for surf fishing, I’m assuming your going with a Texas Rig. On this one, I recommend a 1/2 oz bullet weight and I like the 5/0 | 1/8 oz option paired with a 4.75-inch Biospawn Exoswim swimbait or even the Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.8-inch swimbait. The Keitech doesn’t hold up as well as the Biospawn Exoswim or the Z Mans, but it does okay with the 1/8 oz versions of this hook.

Weedless:	9/10
Sharpness:	8/10
Durability (how well it keeps the swimbait on):	8/10
Hook-up vs. Lost Fish Rating:	8/10
Optimal Size and Weight:	4/0 |1/6 oz
Optimal Swimbait Pairing:	BioSpawn (4.75-inch) – see best swimbaits for surf fishing here

#2 Best Swimbait Hook: Z-Man TT Lures ChinlockZ SWS

Like the Mustad KVD, if you’re going with this swimbait hook for surf fishing, I’m assuming your going with a Texas Rig. That said, when using the Z-Man TT Lures ChinlockZ SWS Swimbait Hook I recommend a 1/2 oz bullet weight. It’s a great hook and I love the weighted element to it that keeps your lure upright as you retrieve. The two sizes that I recommend are the (4/0 | 1/6 oz) and the (2/0 | 1/8 oz).

These types of hooks are technically best paired with very elastic/stretchy swimbaits that won’t be affected much by sliding the swimbait over that thick, weighted section of the hook. The Keitech doesn’t have that stretch, but, if you love Keitechs like I do, this swimbait hook in size 2/0 | 1/8 oz or lower works very well with the Keitech 4.8 inch fat swing impact swimbait. The Biospawn Exoswim 4.75 inch swimbait works well with this too and is a little more stretchy/durable than the Keitech.

The other option you have is the 4/0 |1/6 oz. This one allows for a bit more distance on your cast, but it’s also a thicker weighted section of the hook. So, I recommend using either the Biospawn Exoswim 4.75-inch swimbait (currently my favorite swimbait) or a lure more like the Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ as it has fantastic durability and stretch to withstand that potentially large threading hole. Whatever you choose to pair it with, this is certainly one of the best swimbait hooks for surf fishing.

Weedless:	9/10
Sharpness:	9/10
Durability (how well it keeps the swimbait on):	7/10
Hook-up vs. Lost Fish Rating:	8/10
Optimal Size and Weight:	Read Description
Optimal Swimbait Pairing:	Read Description

For reference: My Lure Throwing Set-Up

• Rod: Okuma SST-S-902HA – 1/2-2oz | 10-30lb | 9ft | H | MF
• Reel: Penn Spinfisher VI (3500 or 4500)
• Main Line: 30-pound braid
• Leader Line: 30-pound mono
• Lure Options:
  • Lucky Craft FM 110 (jerkbait)
  • Keitech Fat Swing Impact (4.8″) | Warbaits 0.5-ounce Weedless Jighead
  • BioSpawn ExoSwim (4.75″) | Mustad KVD Grip Pin Swimbait Hook (5/0 | 1/8oz)

# 3 Best Jighead: Warbaits Weedless Swimbait Head

This is the “ol’ reliable” of weedless jigheads. Rather than hiding the hook, it features a simple weed guard that’s more effective than you might think. I’d recommend this jighead to anyone who’s looking to start fishing with swimbaits in the surf.

It keeps just about any swimbait on with ease. If you rig it right, you don’t need to worry about your swimbait falling off unless a fish absolutely wrecks it (which is always possible and highly desired). Its simplicity, reliability, effectiveness, and proven track record are what keep it in my arsenal.

Weedless:	7/10
Sharpness:	7/10
Durability (how well it keeps the swimbait on):	10/10
Hook-up vs. Lost Fish Rating:	7/10
Optimal Size and Weight:	4/0 | 1/2 oz
Optimal Swimbait Pairing:	Keitech or BioSpawn (4.75-4.8-inch) – see best swimbaits for surf fishing here

#4 Best Swimbait Hook: Owner Sledhead Swimbait Hook

I’ve spoken with a few anglers who absolutely love this swimbait hook. Personally, I haven’t quite come to love it, but I do respect it. My main problem with this swimbait is the screw mechanism. I haven’t had great luck keeping swimbaits on this hook, but I know trustworthy and proven anglers who think otherwise.

I’m not a fan of the whole super glue route as it’s not realistic when a tail gets bitten off and you need to replace that swimbait with a new one.

One thing that’s worth noting is that these screw mechanisms hold swimbaits like the Keitech and even Biospawn very well. Meanwhile, the Z Man type lures are terrible on these guys.

Weedless:	9/10
Sharpness:	9/10
Durability (how well it keeps the swimbait on):	6/10
Hook-up vs. Lost Fish Rating:	8/10
Optimal Size and Weight:	2/0 | 1/4
Optimal Swimbait Pairing:	Keitech or BioSpawn (4.75-4.8-inch) – see best swimbaits for surf fishing here

#5 Best Swimbait Hook: Berkley Fusion Swinghead Swimbait Hooks

These next two are very intriguing and quite attractive in concept. I love the idea behind these. Keep in mind, when I rate these a 6/10 for weedless, that’s still pretty weedless. If you’re retrieving through dense, loose eel grass, this might not be your guy, but if that eel grass is all still attached to structure and there isn’t much loose kelp, you’re good to go.

If you’re concerned about the fat head in front of the lure, know that you weren’t alone, but also know that I’ve caught plenty of fish using these and they work, nonetheless. The main benefit to these swimbait hooks is the fact that the manufacturers offer them in weights up to 1 ounce. You can really huck a 1 ounce lure a good distance when you need to and it’s very noticeable. I still find it odd how difficult it is to find 1-ounce bullet weights, but oh well.

Weedless:	6/10
Sharpness:	9/10
Durability (how well it keeps the swimbait on):	8/10
Hook-up vs. Lost Fish Rating:	8/10
Optimal Size and Weight:	4/0 | 3/4 oz
Optimal Swimbait Pairing:	Keitech or BioSpawn (4.75-4.8-inch) – see best swimbaits for surf fishing here

#6 Best Swimbait Hook: Z Man Texas Eye Jighead

Very similar to the Berkley Fusion Swimhead, this swimbait hook has a cool design-concept. It’s not perfectly weedless, but it does the job through most conditions. While it doesn’t have the same benefit of going up to an ounce in weight, it’s still a good option to have when surf fishing with swimbaits.

Weedless:	6/10
Sharpness:	9/10
Durability (how well it keeps the swimbait on):	9/10
Hook-up vs. Lost Fish Rating:	8/10
Optimal Size and Weight:	3/0 | 3/16 oz
Optimal Swimbait Pairing:	Keitech or BioSpawn (4.75-4.8-inch) – see best swimbaits for surf fishing here