Change Hooks,add Swivels?

High Time

High Time

Crew Member
While surfing various sites and u-tube the recommendation keeps coming up. Was wondering how important the members considered this option and whether it was necessary on all spoons and how it might affect the action etc. Just starting to tune-up for this season. Thoughts?
 
almost every spoon I have when I get out of package I throw away the hook and put on a good hook... I learned this the hard way..... most tackle mfgs put junk cheap hooks on... ....
 
Split ring and Siwash for me on most spoons. Or, for larger spoons, Split ring, swivel then Siwash.

If the action diminishes due to a larger / heavier hook, a little extra bend in the spoon goes a long way.
 
I'm going to give the dacron 'trailing hook method' a good run this year. I've dabble with it, but given that it is a pink year, I feel what better time to give it a go without risk. Give me a lot of reps on setting the hook and fighting fish with this set up.
 
Chain swivel on both ends of the flasher for me. Overkill? maybe, just got tired of straightening that clusterf--k of twisted line between the flasher and teaser head, spoon, or whatever. Fish don't seem to care. As for hooks, I'll use most any brand, just make sure they are "sticky sharp". Keep a hook sharpener close.
 
That's a good question and until you've lost a fish due to crappy Chinese hooks. I don't think that a lot of people really think about hooks. I use two brands now...my brand of choice is Laser Trokar by Eagle Claw. Surgically sharpened and made in the US. They don't bend or break (that i've ever seen). Until you've seen the hook in action its hard to describe how sharp they are. I use the Big Nasty Extreme Octopus hooks on my hoochies (5/0 with a 4/0 trailer) and the Siwash models for my plugs (one size larger than the plug - 6/0 for 5" plugs). The problem with Trokar is twofold. Finding them can be a bit tough and they are a bit pricey. I have however wasted money on far less important things lol. I'm also partial to the Owner hooks. I plan to do a solid test and review on the new Owner No Escape hooks. they have a 'V' bend in the gap and and elongated point in hopes to keep the fish hooked longer. I'm guessing that they will be a winner. In closing, don't lose the fish of a lifetime to save a few pennies on hooks.

https://www.thefisherman.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.display&feature_ID=1164&ParentCat=5

http://www.ownerhooks.com/allpurposebaithooks.htm#4106

On another note, any opinions on red hooks vs chrome vs black? Those No Escape come in red and black...

Curtis
 
Damien said:
I'm going to give the dacron 'trailing hook method' a good run this year. I've dabble with it, but given that it is a pink year, I feel what better time to give it a go without risk. Give me a lot of reps on setting the hook and fighting fish with this set up.
Click to expand...
Done this a couple seasons ago and have been really impressed, have since rigged every spoon I have this way.
 
Thanks for the input. I'm already fed up with the crappy hooks that most manufacturers supply with their spoons that start to corrode after the the first dip in saltwater. Have found a supply of Mustad Siwash SS 3/0 xxx that should perform a lot better. I guess it is the addition of a swivel that I'm considering. Does having the hook a bit further back affect the spoon action and does it result in more or less hookups? Does the addition of a swivel make it more difficult for the fish to shake the spoon and make doing it worthwhile? Thanks
 
From what I am starting to understand. Any metal rigging method like double up on a split ring, adding a swivel between the hook and lure etc can still create binding points that allow the weight and thrashing of the fish to leverage itself to pop the hook out. I'm going to go all in on the dacron method and see what happens.

I might chicken out though...lol.

It seems to be gaining a lot of popularity;

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I think a lot of the reason that guys are going to long set backs on a trailing hook is that it often results in the fish being hooked in the outside corner of the mouth (as in the top pic). Better for catch and release fishing. There's been a lot of debate about the drop back rigging method on a lot of the US salt and freshwater forums.
 
I've gotten into the habit of instantly cutting off the welded ring and tossing the stock hook for a split ring/swivel/hook combo. No issues yet
 
I have found not only has my landing ratio increased noticeably with the dacron but so has my hook up ratio.
I usually step down by one hook size and use the Gammi big river hooks.
Adding even the slightest amount of hardware (weight) to the end of any lure will reduce its action, period.
Perhaps the lure won't be negatively impacted from more hardware but in my experience. lightening the lure results in more hook ups.
Is it due to more action, I can't say, just know it works for me.
Try it for yourself, fish one of each on a good lure day and see what you come up with.
 
I think one of the members thought that adding swivel can change the action of the spoons. may have to troll a little faster for the same action.
I have started trying the trailing hook on a Dacron sling, and had success. so now, I have acquired newer Dacron, 30 lb. test, and am putting it on more of my spoons. coyote 3.5 and other small spoons seem to suffer a lot of folding and mutilations, and this helps prevent that problem.
The knot to use is just a double granny.
 
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