shrink tubing rear hooks

[50inchpig]

Got a surface bait that I'm hesitant to screw with becuase it's so good to me, but I've lost 2 fish in the last week that nipped the rear and I think stabilizing the rear hook could have helped me - anybody with an opinions on whether this helps or not? I know the topraiders do it but I don't throw one.

[LunkerBaitCo]

How can it hurt?

[50inchpig]

wouldn't think it would, hate to mess with something that's already almost perfect - mojo, karma, call it what you want.

[DinkADunk]

I like using shrink tubing on the bucktails I make as it keeps that rear hook from interfering with the skirt material. It's easy enough to add and remove if you don't like it. I say try it and see if it works for you.

[Outfitter17]

I would also add it. It can't hurt. They work great on my topraiders and I seem to hookup more than I miss on them. I would be interested to see what I miss without the hook straight out, but I don't want to take that chance.

[mroyten]

I like adding the tubing to any bait that continues to get fouled out during the cast with the rear hook swinging around to the leader. Hate when that happens. Also increases hooking percentages also.

[b1gf1sh1]

Quote:

Got a surface bait that I'm hesitant to screw with becuase it's so good to me,

would depend on the bait for me. i like the suggestion to do it, it's easy to change. first and formost in a propbait/globe/ is sound then visibility. i would consider whether that rear hook is swinging and creating a sound that helps a fish locate it. if it's like a topraider and just sit's directly behind it on the retrieve and has really no movement while free... why not. Wtd, no, that swing is a plus. a bait like a jitterbug no, again the swing. top buster types, why not. no again to creeper types, but that's me and that swing again. poppers, no. the fact it's been good to you say's don't change it. there's a reason it's been good to you and maybe it's just a couple of bad luck moments and flukes.

[slipperybob]

Use a piece of aquarium/aerator hose tube. Sometimes extending the length does the trick. I put like a barrel swivel and split ring. I do that mainly for spoons for pike, but it could work.