The Middle Hooks on Lures!

[delmuts]

I'm just getting a start in musky fishing, and have trouble with the middle hook getting fouled to one of the other hooks!( such as a weagle, and bigger suicks)I thought about cutting the middle one off, and replacing it with a shorter shanked one( i would have to use a split ring to do this) or taking it off completely. Is having the middle hook really a big plus for hooking percentages?( and worth the hassel some times) Thoughts?

[50inchpig]

if you "T" your hooks that'll help a lot with your fouling problems. there are posts with pictures of how to do this on most sites out there including a recent thread on the thorne bros site, if you search it'll be easy to find. also will cut down on hook rash.

[Shawn Kellett]

Take some 4" cable ties and cinch (as tight as you can) one on each side of the middle hook hanger. This will keep the split ring more vertical and eliminate a lot of these problems.

[RK]

Hiya -

Shawn's suggestion on the cable ties works pretty well. You can also replace the middle hook with a short shank round bend hook.

Especially on baits like Suicks, or on a lot of smaller 3-hook baits, though, I take one treble off. There's no reason (I don't think) for 3 trebles in a 6 or 7" bait. Take the middle one off and go up a size on the front and back hooks. On suicks, I actually move the hook hangers (they're just cotter pins) by pulling the original hangers out, sealing up the holes, and drilling new holes with the front hook going back 1/2" or so from the original spot, and the rear hook forward from the original spot by about the same amount. Makes unhooking easier I think...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Nick Kuhn]

I personally just remove the middle hook. Fish either hit the front of the lure or come from straight behind. Even if they manage to hit between the hooks, a good hookset should slide the rear hook into the fish.

I would say 80% of my fish are hooked primarily with the front treble (except on bucktails).

[jkahler]

When you cast try to stop the cast with your thumb right before the lure lands to straighten out the bait. If you just cast and let it crash down they will tangle more often.

T the hooks on a Suick, or just learn to live with it. I've never had a Weagle tangle like that. I think one of the reasons a Weagle hooks so well (besides sitting lower in the water) is from having 3 hooks.

Btw, I landed my biggest fish (50") on the middle hook of a lure.

[Esox_Magnum]

Del, Trav my buddy lost his PC fish on a weagle due to removing the center hook. I don't remove any hooks but I do T alot of baits. I also upsize hooks on certain baits.

[delmuts]

Is this the Trav. that brought the burgers this spring? Bummer!I was thinking more along the lines of getting some short shank hooks, too see if they would be a little shorter after putting them on with a split ring. Just looking at opptions. Something to PUTTS with this winter!

Later this year i will be asking about the big muskie expo in Minn.! We're planning on going this year!

[Esox_Magnum]

Yep the tall guy that was with us at the motel.

[newnew]

Thumbing the spool just before lure landing seems to work well