Feathered Treble Hooks: Do you think they make a difference?

[richienyc]

Do you guys like using feathered treble hooks and think they make a difference?
I usually only put them on topwaters.

[Hogsticker]

I think they can make a difference into turning a follower into a strike, especially in clear water when the bait is paused. 

[alzun664]

I only use them on topwaters poppers. I don't think they make a huge difference because anytime I get bit on a popper they usually get both hooks. 

On the other hand, feathers have been used to catch fish for hundreds of years so im sure theres much more than just aesthetics at work there.

I just think it adds a little extra flash and flutter while the bait is paused. some days that will matter, others not so much. If they were a game changer every lure made would have feathered trebles..

["hamma"]

I tie my own and add them to the back of my suspending jerkbaits,.I started doing this many years ago when i needed to change a  hook while fishing a tournament, and all i had left was some excalibur rotating trebles that were already hackled .I tried it and it seemed to work better.,.... and yes i do believe this makes a difference. Then yet, i fish alot of clear waters. It may do something to vibration,..., not sure. But most important for any lure you use is confidence. If it works for you, go with it

[Hogsticker]

I knew a guy who incorporate red feathers and red pipe cleaners onto his drop shot baits. Said it made them look like they were breathing. He caught a lot of walleye, so who am I to disagree. 

[Raul]

Do I think feathered hooks make a difference ? no I do not think they make a difference and anybody trying to convince me they do will have to prove scientifically they do, on the other hand, if you think they do I´ll be the first one to say you should use them.

[WRB]

I believe they make a difference on selected lures like structure spoons, Pop-R type surface lures (Splash-It) or Lunker Punker, a good feather adds movement to trigger more strikes.

The only evidence I can offer is when the feathers are gone the bite slows down until you change the hook with new feathers. I am at the point now that my structure jigging spoons all have feathers.

Tom

[Maico1]

I have success with them for sure but more so on TopWater. I also tie my own so I match up the color as an extension of the body of the lure. One more thing I do tie them longer than most but that gives me the ability to cut them down if the do not work after they have been on the water. Sort of like fine tuning them till I feel they entice the strike zone.

[Crestliner2008]

That's sort of like the color pink. When the fish are on it.....they are just plain on it! A lot has to do with your own confidence in what you are tossing too.

[CJ]

Considering the buoyancy of feathers, yes they make a difference. Is difference for the better? It can be. I like a topwater to stay on plain, it's just my preference especially on smallmouth. If you use enough feathers and some bucktail on a chug bug, it will stay on plain. I walk the dog and I've never noticed any hindrance on action. I also like a jerkbait to stand up on it's nose while sitting plus the leftover action after the pause will cause the feathered trebles to pulse or sway so to speak. Feathers can fine tune a lure, give unique action, and give a life like tail to a lure. I can't see where it can hurt other than your wallet a little. So I say YUP.

[RyneB]

I never really put much thought into it. But I was on one fishing trip once and couldn't keep them off my Rico popper dressed with a feathered treble. The feather eventually fell apart and just just put  an undressed hook on the back. My catch rates dropped off in a major way. Took a feather treble off a pop r and put it on the Rico and started catching fish again

[desmobob]

I believe they add some appeal.  I tie my own and use marabou rather than saddle hackle.  I don't think there's much of anything that looks more "alive" than marabou feathers in water.

 

Tight lines,

Bob