Trailer Hooks On Spinnerbaits

[Musky_Fever]

You guys think it's a must to have a trailer hook?  I put one on a spinnerbait recently and it just looks funny to me.  

[BaitMonkey1984]

Yup. Pretty much across the board consensus to use them. I didn't use them for a long time because I thought it was unnecessary. I didn't realize how many times I was probably getting swiped at but the fish were missing the bite. Also, I wanted to fish. I didn't like all the steps necessary. Re-tie the lure. Put on scent. Then put on a trailer hook and a piece of plastic tubing. Found the easy solution. VMC makes some great trailer hooks with the tubing already on it. Takes a whole second to apply. Difference is astounding. 

[scaleface]

Most of the time I dont use one . I throw spinnerbaits in the snags and dont want that extra hook hanging  up .

[BaitMonkey1984]

Most of the time I dont use one . I throw spinnerbaits in the snags and dont want that extra hook hanging  up .

This is the ONLY time I don't use a trailer hook. However, unless your going through some thick stuff a spinnerbait will come through without getting snagged, even with a trailer hook. Up in the NE, almost all the leaves are off the trees now and in the lakes. Impossible to fish a rattle trap in the shallows, but a spinner bait with a trailer hook comes through snag less each time. 

[Montanaro]

Always

It wont get hung up unless you are careless and slowly jimmy it into grabbing wood or throw it in a tree.

[Dye99]

Like most of you on here, I have caught a ton of fish on spinner baits.

 

But everyone, Every single one, that was over 4-5 pounds was caught on the trailer hook.

 

If I could get away with it snag wise, I would put a trailer on my trailer hook!

[papajoe222]

I use a free swinging trailer hook in all sorts of cover. The only cover I don't use that type is in brush, then I use one with shrink tubing that stays straight behind the bait. I proved to a friend the benefits of a trailer hook when I out fished  him eight to one. Six of them were hooked on the trailer. He uses them now.

[Glenn]

I never use a trailer hook, and don't have any issues with short strikes.  If a fish is following, but not biting, change the blade color.  If that doesn't work, change the skirt color.

 

I always use trailers too.

[Montanaro]

Another benefit of a trailer hook is that even if it shakes the main hook you have the trailer to keep him pinned.

[everythingthatswims]

If they are really chewing I will take the trailer hook off, it is a lot easier to sink one hook into a fish than two, and you can't get a perfect hook set every time from a kayak. The only other time I do it is when I use a zoom swimming fluke jr as a trailer, that extra vibration can really help sometimes.

My biggest buzzbait fish this summer was hooked through the nostrils on the trailer hook

[WIGuide]

I let the fish determine if I need a trailer hook or not. If they're finicky and bumping at it or I start missing a few fish I'll throw a trailer hook on. In open water you can actually flip the trailer hook over and help to increase you chances. 

[MickD]

Glenn, I have to disagree.  I know that if they are swiping something isn't right, but in the process of changing stuff to get it right I could lose a good number of fish.  I'll compromise.  I'll use a trailer hook and if the fish are caught on it I'll use that as a signal to change something until they start eating the whole lure.

[bigbill]

Watch closely for short strikes it can be a speed thing. Or there picking up an oder from your spinnerbait. A shot of scent helps. I reel a spinnerbait just fast enough for the Indiana blades to thump and keep it above the sight line.

Then I skip fan cast the area. Try slowing it down more letting it go below the sight line. Next ill go from a white spinnerbait to a hot chartruese skirt.

I use scents , trailers and trailer hooks. A 2/0 hook.

[S. Sass]

I guess I am in the minority as well. I love spinner baits and have never used a trailer hook until last year. I promptly removed it I felt like I was putting training wheels on my bait. If they cant catch the bait slow down. This theory that they short strike the bait is cured by lengthening the bait with a hook fixes the problem just doesn't seem right to me. I am not saying it doesn't work but it seems like a band aid. 

 

My reasoning -

- One as picky as some are about a subtle change to a bait how do you know you aren't missing more strikes with the extra hook deterring the strike? There are entire threads about changing one size up or down on a hook. This doesn't even factor in adding a entire extra hook. 

 

- Two if your going the same speed with your bait who says your not missing the same exact fish you would have to start with? There is no guarantee the same exact fish would have struck again and been just that close that the trailer hook did all the work. What about all the strikes that are just barely missing the trailer hook? What are you going to do add a 2nd trailer hook? 

 

- Three don't we all agree presentation is almost everything? If your missing short strikes on a worm, or a crank bait, or a jig, you don't stick a hook out its butt, you slow down. Correct your presentation.  

 

Not saying it does not work but its not for me. 

[Bluebasser86]

I very rarely put a trailer or trailer hook on my spinnerbait unless it's dirty water or I'm fishing for smallmouth. 

[tander]

Put me in the catagory of no trailer hook. I might change the size or the retreive if I miss a couple but the places I throw it, it would be more trouble than it's worth.

[Montanaro]

Put me in the catagory of no trailer hook. I might change the size or the retreive if I miss a couple but the places I throw it, it would be more trouble than it's worth.

I dont get that line of thinking. I throw mine with a trailer hook through dying lily pad fields and thick laydowns without issue. You just gotta finesse it.

[DubyaDee]

I use a trailer hook most of the time. Unless I'm slow rolling the bottom or in heavy cover. If i'm in heavy cover I swap it out for a grub trailer.

 

Black Bucher slopmaster with a big treble trailer is killer at night. Rarely will I get hit and not land it.

[Catt]

Split on this one!

Sometimes a trailer hook

Sometimes a trailer

Sometimes just a spinner bait

Seen times when all 3 work & seen times when all 3 didn't work!

[zeth]

I always use a trailer hook. I don't even bother throwing one without.  Never have any major issues throwing into even the thickest of stuff. Catch a lot more fish because of it.  2/0 is a good size to go with. I almost never use a soft platic trailer on my spinnerbaits and when I do it's usually like a Keitech Swing Impact or Swing Impact Fat.

[Mainebass1984]

 I will never fish a chatterbait, buzzbait or spinnerbait with out a trailer hook. You will be missing fish if you aren't fishing one.

 

 There is a KVD video on you tube regarding trailer hooks.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWjinb0DwEE

[scyounggun]

I almost always use a 2/0 free swinging trailer hook on spinner and buzz baits.

[PitchinJigz]

I let the fish determine if I need a trailer hook or not. If they're finicky and bumping at it or I start missing a few fish I'll throw a trailer hook on. In open water you can actually flip the trailer hook over and help to increase you chances.

This is a great tip.