Tip Up Hook Question

[minnangler]

New to tip up fishing and want to make sure I understand the MN hook regulations. I can fish with a single hook or a terble if I add a blade to it so its considered a "lure". What sizes of hooks do you use for tip up fishing for northerns?

[20lbSloughShark]

There is no easy answer for the best hook for anything. The MN law states that you can have up to two hooks per line (winter only), any more and you need a spinner blade within 3" of the hook. I use whats called a "natural" rig (i'll post a picture). In this case I believe you need a blade for each treble. You can go the traditional route go with a 8" steel leader with a 1/0-3/0 single hook and let the fish eat the bait for a few minutes. It generally results in a gut hook (which is why I quit). If you keep the fish its fine, but to release them you have to cut the line as far down the mouth as possible (and I'm sure the survival rate is low for released fish). The best single hook is a circle hook (I prefer 3/0). If you hook the bait in the back, you can hook the fish sooner, reducing your catch rate, but the fish is usually hooked in the side of the mouth. Quickstirke rigs are where things get strange. On one hand you almost always hook the fish, and I'm sure their chances of survival are high. Also this means extra metal, possibly scaring fish. IMO Pike don't think about things too much. They are quick thinkers, they might see a big sucker and take it, or they might be lazy and not want a fight; they see the rig after they made their decision.

In short, if you want only one hook, go with a circle hook in size 3/0 or if you are more into catch and release, a Quickstirke (you can buy them or make them) with slightly smaller maybe 1/0 treble hooks.

[Ringtailhunter]

+1 on the circle hook lost less fish. It will naturally hook the side of the mouth in most circumstances.

[FishinFools]

+2

[FrontenacPike]

100% agree on the circle hooks. With hooks in general it is critical to wait till the fish is facing away from you. The circle hook just increases the odds to perfect hook placement on a fish that is on a run and isn't directly below you. If you can master that, 9.99 out of 10 will all be hooked in the side of the mouth and misses will be a rarity.

Here is how to tell when the fish is looking away. Grab on to your line and slowly remove all slack till you feel tension (the fish). Don't set the hook immediately, wait till he jerks the line. When ever I take someone new on the ice and they get to the point where they feel the fish I tell them "when he jerks you jerk back".

When you are sitting there holding steady tension on his lunch they will jerk their head in the opposite direction in an attempt to get away. When he does that you will feel an undeniable jerk, and it is time to set the hook. If you can wait till that moment, the fish will be looking away from you and your hook placement will be in the ideal place for a good fight.

FLAG UP!!!

[ClownColor]

FYI..if someone has the new regs please post for these guys. I think they've gotten away with the beads and blades for multiple treble hooks...

[opsirc]

i have used a kahle hook with a lot of success.

[fsnrod]

The law is the same as far as treble hooks are still considered three hooks unless used as part of a lure.

[Mnfisher]

Clowncolar: Are you saying that using a blade and beads on a treble hook is NOT okay. Always thought it was.

FrontenacPike: Good tip on when to set the hook after you feel a jerk from the line. Thanks

[ClownColor]

Clowncolar: Are you saying that using a blade and beads on a treble hook is NOT okay. Always thought it was.

FrontenacPike: Good tip on when to set the hook after you feel a jerk from the line. Thanks

NO!

What was posted on here a month ago or so was that they had changes the law so that a BEAD and BLADE was NO LONGER REQUIRED!

[ClownColor]

Clowncolar: Are you saying that using a blade and beads on a treble hook is NOT okay. Always thought it was.

FrontenacPike: Good tip on when to set the hook after you feel a jerk from the line. Thanks

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2743202/Re_QS_rig_laws#Post2743202

This thread might help

[LunkerCity]

One tip I have to add is that if you are using the quickstrike with the double treble is this. Only have your lines below the swivel as long as you need them for your bait. If you have 8" between the swivel and your hooks, when you get one hook in the mouth and the other is swinging around it tends to get hooked in the back of the head and gill plates. When this happens, you are unable to turn their heads up the hole. So if we are using an 8-10 inch sucker or goldie, you only need your leads to be 3" long each, then we put both hooks in the back. One behind the head and one behind the dorsal.