Glossary

Gap

The distance between a hook's point and its shank. It decides what size bait the hook can handle.

3 min read
· Updated Aug 2026
· beginner
Glossary: Gap
In this guide

Gap is measured across the hook, from the point to the shank. It is the space the plastic has to compress into before the point can reach a fish.

Why EWG exists

Extra wide gap hooks offset the bend to create more of it, which is what thick-bodied soft plastics need. Too narrow a gap and the bait fills it on the hookset.

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