Trailer Hook?

[Arv]

How many of you use a trailer hook on a spinnerbait? Are there some instances where you would and would not use them? Thanks!

[McAlpine]

tournament and 1/4oz or larger spinnerbait = always.

fishing for fun, meh.

1/8oz or smaller spinnerbait, never saw the need.

[kylek]

Always for me

[BenBassmaster]

I wouldnt use a trailer hook in cover, but open areas. I use it on bigger spinnerbaits and I get ALOT OF FISH with the trailer hook that I would miss without the trailer hook. Hope this helps.

[BassinLou]

A spinnerbait with a trailer hook is annoying around wood, pads, and grass. Like the others have mentioned in the open they do great.

[papajoe222]

I can't speak for the lighter baits as the lightest I throw is 3/8 and most of the time it's 1/2oz. Very rarely will I not have a trailer hook on the bait. One exception is a bait I use called a Daddy Long Shank which is, as it's name implies, a bait with an extra long hook shank.

I do, however modify how that trailer is attached depending on the conditions. A free swinging trailer is fine for open water or banging that s/b of rocks or hard bottom, but I'll use a piece of shrink tubing over the trailer hook eyelet to keep it from swinging and in line with the bait's hook. This will eliminate a lot of problems in weeds and wood cover.

The majority of the fish I catch are hooked in the mouth with the front hook, but on occasion that trailer has saved my you know what in tournaments and from fishless days.

I like to put the odds in my favor as much as I can. Frequent reties, sharp hooks, fresh line, sun in my face.....oh yea, and trailer hooks on my spinners and buzzers.

[Marty]

I use a trailer hook all the time. Most fish are hooked by the main hook, but there are just enough on the trailer only that I need to use one if for no other reason than confidence.

[Arv]

Thanks guys. I've had trailers on pretty much all my spinners but I usually wind up double hooking fish. Didn't know how often it actually came into play