Lip or Back?

[Huntin&Fishin]

When bobber fishing do you hook the minnows through the lip or back? Ive always hooked them through the back but I had a buddy recently insist on hooking through the lips (using a plain hook), Which way do you guys think works best??

[Dylan33]

Back

[TooTallTom]

Depends on what kind of mood I'm in.

Seriously. I just mix it up. Winter or summer, my dad only hooks in the mouth, out the gill, through the back. (I probably had that sentence memorized before I could count to 100.) I think something like hooking on the back might have a tendency to make the minnow struggle more to stay upright, which is a good thing.

[deathmatch782]

Through the mouth in the summer and the back in winter.

[GrizzlyAdams]

For me it depends on what kind of jig I am using. If I am using a horizontal jig than I like to hook through the lip. If I am using a vertical jig then I like to hook it throught the back. Once in a while I will tail hook it to give it more of a fighting action or dying action. From what I have been told is that most fish will it the minnow at the tail so having the hook closer to the tail gives you a better hooking percentage. Depends on the fishes mood that day as well.

[herefish101]

through the back between the dorsal and the tail, that way the minnow really struggles.

[Slabasaurus]

through the back between the dorsal and the tail, that way the minnow really struggles.

This is how I do it with a float.. summer or winter.

[Crm7290]

We tried using minnows hooked in the lip and the back. The backs ones stayed on better. Can't say we caught any fish...

[EBass]

Quote:

through the back between the dorsal and the tail, that way the minnow really struggles.

Yup - do that to bullies for cats.

[zamboni]

When I use a silver plated Swedish Pimple I tail hook it. The minnow swims more and gives the jig more flash

[Koepper08]

Back! At least for crappies...

[Esox_Magnum]

All depends on the mood of the fish that day, back, lip, tail all have their time and place.

[PlagueWielder]

For any kind of current or more aggressive jigging where the minnow is not left to be the only movement, hook through the lips. For still or float fishing I hook them very gently (just under the skin) in the back just ahead of the dorsal fin with the hook point facing the head. Just try to keep the minnow as horizontal as possible. Not sideways and definately no deeper than just the skin.

[fishwater]

On a deadstick I mostly hook through the tail, about half way from the dorsal to the end of the minnow. I like how they pull when hooked like this. I don't take much care in hooking, usually try to get into the middle of the meat - I'm actually kinda surprised after sending so many to their deaths, why none have ever been noticeably paralyzed when impaled on the hook? They always seem to swim pretty darn good considering..

[vman11]

From what I have been told is that most fish will it the minnow at the tail so having the hook closer to the tail gives you a better hooking percentage.

90% of the time it is hooked in the back, unless I am using a horizontal jig. Allows the bait to be more active.

I'm not sure I agree with fish eating tail first. Again, 9 times out of 10 when a pike hits my decoy spearing they hit it head first.