Using a Stinger

[Vitreus]

I just picked up some small trebles to make stinger hooks for this fall's jigging extravaganza. I fish mostly on the northern portion of the Mississippi, and fathead minnows are the most productive bait here by far. Being that they are a relatively small bait, I'm wondering if/how I can rig a stinger hook to avoid short strikes without impeding presentation. I've heard some guys just let the hook trail without attaching it to the bait. I will have to experiment myself, but I hope to get some ideas from here. I wonder, also, if it would be wise to tie the stinger directly to the hook shaft, using an improved clinch.

[OnAFly]

First I get some small quicksnaps and tie on ~2.5" of line followed by a size 12 hook using 6# line. I use a fireball jig which has the 2nd eye on the bottom and attach the snap to this eye. I then hook the tail of my minnow with the size 12 hook.

This system has worked for me and allows me to quickly attach a stinger to my jig without having to retie anything.

[Vitreus]

Thanks for the info.

[kfk]

I let them dangle fre and it works great for me. I get alot more bites than when I used to actually hook them in the bait. I rarely miss a bite.

[tacklejunkie]

I let them dangle fre and it works great for me. I get alot more bites than when I used to actually hook them in the bait. I rarely miss a bite.

I'll have to try that. I usually hook the stinger on the back but anything to increase my catch rate if that works

[Acemac]

acording to the guide I had on rainy this year stingers are illegal in MN........ I did not argue just went back to changing a half eaten minow every 2 mins.