Cox & Rawle Hitch Hiker Screw

Cox & Rawle Hitch-Hiker Screws: The Ultimate Lure-Saving Rigging Essential

Every lure angler knows the frustration of a prized soft plastic tearing or sliding down the hook after just one fish or a cast into heavy cover. At Gerry’s Fishing, we recommend the Cox & Rawle Hitch-Hiker Screws as the definitive solution for secure, weedless rigging. These precision-engineered screws allow you to “pin” your lure to the eye of the hook, ensuring it stays perfectly aligned and drastically increasing the lifespan of your soft plastics.

The standout feature of the Hitch-Hiker is the integrated locating pin. Unlike cheaper alternatives, this pin ensures the screw enters the center of the lure every time, preventing the “wonky” rigging that ruins a lure’s action. By shifting the point of attachment from the delicate plastic body to the stainless steel screw, you prevent the nose-splitting that usually occurs when rigging directly onto an offset worm hook. Whether you are punching through heavy weed or twitching a finesse worm, these screws keep your presentation looking professional and “fish-ready” cast after cast.

Detailed Specifications

Where to Use Cox & Rawle Hitch-Hiker Screws

• Heavy Weed and Lily Pads: When fishing for Pike or Perch in “jungle” conditions, your lure needs to stay perfectly straight to remain weedless. The Hitch-Hiker prevents the lure from sliding down the hook bend when it hits an obstruction.

• Finesse Worm Fishing: Smaller, delicate soft plastics often rip the moment they are threaded over a hook barb. These screws allow you to attach even the thinnest “trick worms” without damaging the nose.

• High-Action Paddletails: The vibration of a large paddletail can eventually work a lure loose from a standard weighted hook. Using a Hitch-Hiker screw creates a mechanical bond that keeps the lure secure during high-speed retrieves.

• Saltwater Lure Angling: Perfect for Bass fishing with soft plastics. The stainless steel construction ensures the screws won’t corrode, even after repeated exposure to the surf.

Pro Tip from the Gerry’s Team

The “Center-First” Technique: To get the perfect rig every time, push the locating pin into the very center of the lure’s nose before you start turning the screw. Once the pin is seated, rotate the Hitch-Hiker clockwise. This ensures the screw grabs the densest part of the plastic, creating a rock-solid connection. Also, if you find a lure is starting to tear after several fish, simply snip 2mm off the nose and re-screw—the Hitch-Hiker will give that “retired” lure a whole new lease on life!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these screws affect the action of the lure?

Not at all. In fact, by keeping the lure perfectly straight and preventing it from “bunching up” on the hook shank, the Hitch-Hiker often improves the natural swimming action of your soft plastics.

Can I use these with weighted hooks?

Yes. You simply slide the eye of the Hitch-Hiker over the eye of your weighted offset hook before you attach your leader. It works seamlessly with both weighted and unweighted hook patterns.

Are they reusable?

Absolutely. Because they are made from 0.6mm stainless steel wire, they are incredibly durable. When your lure eventually wears out, simply unscrew the Hitch-Hiker and transfer it to a fresh plastic.

Will they work with Gulp! or other “super-soft” baits?

These are particularly effective for softer, salt-impregnated or scented baits that are traditionally difficult to keep on a hook. The 4mm screw diameter provides a wide “grip” that holds onto soft materials much better than a standard hook barb ever could.