Little Rippers = lost fish

[JJ Mac]

I think they are triple grip hooks that come standard one Reef Runners. While I've had no problems with the larger ones, I have lost so many fish on Little Rippers that there has to be a correlation. I've had it happen before in the past. I had one night I went 1 for 9 on a Blue berry muffin. I then switched to a different rear treble and no more lost fish. Guess I didn't learn my own lesson, was out yesterday with a new little ripper right out of the box. After catching one fish, I lost 7 in row after that. I replaced every rear hook on my little rippers last night. Anyone else notice this correlation?

[Johnnie Candle]

I can't say that I have ever had that problem with Litter Rippers specificlly, but from time to time when trolling crankbaits that seems to happen.

I have been experimenting with a newer replacement treble on the rear of my cranks. The Sure Set treble from VMC seems to be the answer for me this year. It is the one with a large Kahle style hook on one of the three threbles. I point this hook up and it seems to be the one that hooks the fish 90% of the time. Right in the roof of the mouth. I have found these to be very effective on baits with small rear trebles like #4 and #5 Shad Raps. The larger hook does not seem to effect the action either.

They may help you as well.

[Burr]

I agree with JC on this one. I've been using the same style hook, but from a different mfg. Most often the fish are hooked on the one, wider gap hook. IMO, it is better to have a single hook set well, than multiple hooks from the treble in the fish. It seems like more than a single hook give the fish something to leverage against, making it more likely to come unbuttoned.

I'm using Rapala hooks, they are working well for me.

[Phil T.]

Are you using a stiff graphite rod and no-stretch line? If so, the only thing that will give as the fish struggles is the fish's mouth as the hooks tear free.
Try setting your drag lighter if you haven't tried that yet.

[tryfishing]

What size of treble hooks do you usually replace with on crankbaits?

[Eric Schuelke]

Reef Runner always used Eagle Claw hooks on their cranks, unless they have changed.

I change all my hooks on my cranks to Triple Grips. I have found since doing that, my catch rate has gone up.

When I was on Oahe in July, I got some cranks before I left, didn't have a chance to change the hooks to triple grips. I ended up losing 4 large fish. I get three of those in the boat, I have a top 5 finish. I will always change the hooks from now on.

[Terroreyes]

<I change all my hooks on my cranks to Triple Grips. I have found since doing that, my catch rate has gone up.>

Same here.


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[Ed Fiore]

Since we have been with Reef Runner there have been 3 hook changes.
The old VMC reverse barb hook – my personal favorite.
A Eagle claw round bend – Not a good hook at all
Current Hook - Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Extra Wide Gap Kahle 2x Strong Hook.
This Hook is also a very good hook. (This is from a Gamakatus Guy).
If you have the older round bend, replace it they just don’t seem to hook up as well as the current hook. If you have the EWG Kahle hook, I’m not sure what to say, I have not had any issue with the current hook on the Deep Little rippers.

Good Luck
Ed Fiore
Xtreme Tackle

[walteye]

Ed-any reason that was given about changing the RR from the reverse barb hooks to the ones that they use today? I know that we are talking about 2 changes since-but I was always wondering (those reverse barbs were great, INHO).....
Walteye

[Ed Fiore]

I give you a clue, VMC is now owned by Rapala.

Ed

[Fishful Thinker]

I can't say that the Eagle Claw trebles have been an issue for me, they seem to work great. I had replaced all my round bend trebles with triple grips, they hooked fish well but I found that the light wire on these hooks bent very easily under the stress of big fish.

[Chad]

Burr,

FYI...VMC is owned by Rapala...same hooks.

ChadM

[bob oh]

If you're dropping that many fish I would look at something besides the hooks. I've never had anything with hooks bad enough to drop 8 out of 9 fish! What is your set up?

rod bender bob

[JJ Mac]

Bob,

I'm running 30/8 power pro to barrel with a 10 lb maxima leader.

I typically run a 4 planer board spread. Drags are set relatively loose on the Okuma cv 30's, and I'm running Ugly stick (light action) 8'3" rods on the outside, Heartland 7'6" on the inside.

I try not to horse the fish too much, but I don't take forever either. I try to be conscience of the no stretch power pro while fighting the fish.

I pride myself on normally having a good hook and land ratio, except with little rippers. One thing I have noticed on a few fish (that I've landed) is that the hooks tend to rip a larger hole in the fishes mouth with the little rippers than with other lures. It seems to happen when they head shake, not necessarily just from pulling. All I know is every time I switch the rear hook on the rippers, my hook and land ratio improves dramatically.

I don't know, maybe it's just me. All I know is I'm changing hooks as soon as it comes out of the box. Despite this, I still can't have too many reef runners! Gotta love 'em.

[Terroreyes]

<but I found that the light wire on these hooks bent very easily under the stress of big fish>

You're absolutely right. One thing I noted though is that the fish that bend the hooks are hooked better than the smaller fish. The hooks won't straighten, but will twist, which seems to lock them up even better. I slam 20#+ muskie all fall while trolling for walleye and land almost every one on smaller triple grips on #5 & 7 Shad Raps. I buy Triple Grips bulk and keep a dozen or so replacements on hand in the boat. Worth every penny!


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[Fishful Thinker]

After several years of trial and error I find that having the drag set too loose with braided lines actually seems to cost me more fish. My observation is that if the drag isn't set tight enough to make a good hookset when the fish hits, my catch ratio goes down considerably. You can always back the drag off a bit when fighting the fish but if it is too light and you aren't actually recovering line when you have to they tend to get slack line and come unbuttoned also.

[reef creep]

If you look at the Reef Runner hooks they are bent way in, just take your needle nose and open them up a little. I posted this on here before but nobody bought it.

[bob oh]

Looks like you're OK. Can't understand why it would happen. I have used different hooks in applications with varying results but never so drastic????
But, if a hook change makes that much difference, I would do it!

rod bender bob

[karpbuster]

What do you use to change them out, I took the trebles off a little ripper to fish a catch and release pond (they have trophy trout and some huge bass) my fingers didn't enjoy it much. I figure there must be an easier way. I tried a hemostat but ended up using my fingers, fingernail.

I then added a single barbless hook to the end (per regulations), talk about losing fish...haven't caught one yet.

karpbuster

[MSUICEMAN]

split ring pliers.....

[old man time]

ABOUT TIME!!!!MOST ANY ONE WOULD GET THOSE HOOKS OFF AFTER LOSING ONE FISH. KEEP THE HOOK AND THROW THE RIPPER AWAY. WHAT'S REALLY AMAZING IS ,YOU WERE ABLE TO KEEP THAT THING IN THE WATER THAT LONG,WITHOUT TUNNING AND RETUNNING

[Eyehound]

They are simple to tune. It's simply a matter of being
smarter than the object you are working with.

[JJ Mac]

Just an update...after changing hooks on my Little Rippers, I had one in the spread this weekend. Never had a fish get off...10 for 10.

[Pauleye620]

where can I get bulk red triple grips

[Terroreyes]

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/mustad-treble-hooks/810209.aspx



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