Removal of 1st trebel hook

[Jersey John]

I would like to get everyones opinion on removing the 1st trebel hook on stickbaits or crankbaits, like rapalas? Thanks to all who answer. JJ

[eye lund]

My thought is first, the walleye hits for the head or eyes, second
you will affect the tuning of the lure the roll or side sway or both the factory tunes a lure with the hooks size of hooks can change the action also.

[SLIPKNOT]

I would never take off the first hook on any bait. If it(the hook)interfeers (sp?) with the second hook, I would replace it with a no. 8 eagle claw lc74 (or some model like that). Hope this helps!

[TK_551]

I never remove the 1st hook, however, to prevent snags (I mainly fish Castle Rock/Petenwell) I bend one of the tines. Take the bait and hold it up longways so that 2 of the tines are sitting against the belly of the bait. I then loop the remaining one in. It usually seems like that one tine is what will hang up. I haven't lost any fish yet doing this-just make sure the hooks are sharp.

Tom
#551

[marcbodi]

Hi,
You guys that say you would never remove the first hook on a crankbait
have probley never tried it.We do it all the time on 15a Bombers at Rogers City MI in Swan Bay for Salmon.We don't seem to lose any fish from it and it it is a lot easier getting the fish and lure out of the net.If you make it to Rogers City Talk to Terry at Terrys Bait and Tackle by the boat launch hes the one that told me about it and it works casting or trolling.

[SLIPKNOT]

Why take it off if you don't need to??? Just put on a smaller hook, it's better to have a small hook than no hook. Or like tk suggested (I also fish petenwell A LOT) if you are in a snaggy area, bend the hook in that sticks out.

[Sluggo / NY]

John..I've never tried it with Rapalas, but as you know, we do a lot of trolling on the east end of Erie. The stickbait of choice in that area is the Renosky (somewhat similar to a Rapala). After netting the front hooks a few times (with a big eye on the back ones), we removed the front trebles and watched them run. We couldn't see a difference and they produced just as well. I've got a box of 30 or 40 Renoskys and none of them have front hooks anymore! Just another opinion! See you in Oswego! Sluggo (Chris)

[targa2]

I take out the middle hook of Mann's stretch 20's.

[Jersey John]

Thanks for the thoughts. JJ

[Gilligan]

JJ, like Chris (and we conspired together on this) I was removing the front treble. After prefishing with Gary Gray at Dunkirk and seeing fish hooked up on the front treble I've rethought this and am back to 3.

[Jersey John]

Thanks Gilligan.

[lobo]

When we are in Canada and the fishing is fast and furious we take off the front hooks on all bombers, rapalas, and husky jerks and have had no problems.
When we fish Saginaw Bay and local waters we always leave the hooks on until we have dinner covered anyhow.

Speaking of the trebles in general on these types of lures, I am in the process of changing the stock trebles with VMC's - the others just don't hold up to the abuse that our Canadian trips provide.

Pinching the barbs will probably help if you don't want to take the hook off altogether.

lobo