Wow, that is too cold for this time of year. The cold weather has not reached this far south. We are only getting down to about 60 at night. Hope the farmers crops were far enough along out there. We sure would not be with those kind of temperatures now.
Dave I also liked the longer shank hooks, especially the smaller sizes, because of easier hook removal and less swallowing of the hook. Then I started using jig head hooks and found I had a lot less swallowed hooks with them. Something about the lead head and the angle of attack the fish do not seem to swallow them as badly. Plus I did not have to add split shot to the line to cast them. So I use almost exclusively jig head hooks for my bluegill fishing now.
Another thing that people don't think about is how easy the hook is removed if the barb is bent down with a pair of pliers, or filed off. That makes a heck of a difference.
