TriStateBassin106 Posted October 31, 2020 Posted October 31, 2020 I have a whole bunch of swim jigs and chatterbaits that I probably won't be using again until spring that have the trailers still on them, should I take the trailers off or keep them on for spring? I feel like having fresh trailers would probably be better right? 2 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 If they're going to be stored for a while...take the trailers off. I take trailers off between trips - better safe than sorry. 5 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 I am with @MN Fisher ~ Unless I am planning to fish a bait the very next day - I am removing the trailer. I know it's a bummer - seems like you're 'wasting' a perfectly good trailer. However there's a good chance, depending on the bait's salt content and the hook itself, that there could be some significant oxidation/rust happening. Happens quick sometimes so I will Most Certainly remove Every Trailer for the winter. #learnedthehardway btw - Mend it Glue is a very decent bait repair method and it's certainly cheaper than replacing several of your jigs & swim Jigs. Could salvage some of the less tattered rigs for you. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mend-It_Softbait_Glue/descpage-MIG.html A-Jay 8 Quote
Super User J._Bricker Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 14 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said: I have a whole bunch of swim jigs and chatterbaits that I probably won't be using again until spring that have the trailers still on them, should I take the trailers off or keep them on for spring? I feel like having fresh trailers would probably be better right? I’d do as @MN Fisher suggested and remove the trailers, especially if they have a high salt content like a GYCB. Rusty and brittle hooks I discovered are not worth saving a $1.00 trailer so I just chuck ‘em. IMHO, if you take care of your equipment, it’ll take care of you... 2 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 3 minutes ago, A-Jay said: btw - Mend it Glue is a very decent bait repair method and it's certainly cheaper than replacing several of your jigs & swim Jigs. 3 minutes ago, J._Bricker said: Rusty and brittle hooks I discovered are not worth saving a $1.00 trailer so I just chuck ‘em. Depending on how hard you fish them - some trailers can stand up to multiple uses. The Pit Boss I caught my best of the year with on a swim jig - that was it's third trip out...and the second lure it had been on that day. Quote
Super User GaryH Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 2 hours ago, TriStateBassin106 said: I have a whole bunch of swim jigs and chatterbaits that I probably won't be using again until spring that have the trailers still on them, should I take the trailers off or keep them on for spring? I feel like having fresh trailers would probably be better right? Good question TriState. Definately remove. I hate wating stuff but A-Jay hit the nail right on the head. 1 Quote
Super User Spankey Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 Touch up your hooks if you really want to be ready for next spring also. Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 Good advice from everyone so far. I remove my trailers after every trip. Especially the ones that have salt content. I would certainly take the trailer off if I wasn’t going to use a jig or chatterbait for the next few months. 1 Quote
Super User Bird Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 Perhaps I'm misunderstanding or not very responsible with lures. I have spinnerbaits and chatterbaits that the trailers have been on since last year and not seeing rust. I do sharpen hooks in the off season. In my locker sits a rod and reel outfitted with a magnum fluke and 5.0 hook for 2 years and no rust. Very meticulous with everything but evidently not with soft plastics. Lol 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 15 minutes ago, Bird said: Perhaps I'm misunderstanding or not very responsible with lures. I have spinnerbaits and chatterbaits that the trailers have been on since last year and not seeing rust. I do sharpen hooks in the off season. In my locker sits a rod and reel outfitted with a magnum fluke and 5.0 hook for 2 years and no rust. Very meticulous with everything but evidently not with soft plastics. Lol Interesting ~ Must be those magic hooks of yours. For the rest of us mortals, the problems often are hiding on the hook shank under the trailer. A-Jay 3 1 Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted October 31, 2020 Super User Posted October 31, 2020 I always take trailers off even if I'm gonna use them the next day. The water and salt isn't good for hooks. Quote
Super User Bird Posted November 1, 2020 Super User Posted November 1, 2020 Not trying to be argumentative but simply didn't realize that members pulled trailers with regularity. This trailer was installed in March of 2020 and was used extensively on this particular spinnerbait, never pulled and zero rust. 2 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted November 1, 2020 Super User Posted November 1, 2020 13 minutes ago, Bird said: Not trying to be argumentative but simply didn't realize that members pulled trailers with regularity. This trailer was installed in March of 2020 and was used extensively on this particular spinnerbait, never pulled and zero rust. A lot of it depends on the formulation. I wouldn't dare do that with a Z-Man, probably not with a Eco Pro...but a Zoom would have a chance of being 'safe'. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted November 1, 2020 Super User Posted November 1, 2020 12 minutes ago, Bird said: Not trying to be argumentative but simply didn't realize that members pulled trailers with regularity. This trailer was installed in March of 2020 and was used extensively on this particular spinnerbait, never pulled and zero rust. I hear ya. I used to leave trailer on my jigs routinely and with little to no problem. But got burned when virtually all my SK structure jigs got fred in a couple ofweeks. Rusted and weakened right into the trash. A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User Bird Posted November 1, 2020 Super User Posted November 1, 2020 Thanks, much respect. Quote
detroit1 Posted November 1, 2020 Posted November 1, 2020 Just because you remove it does not mean you have to throw it away... 2 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted November 1, 2020 Super User Posted November 1, 2020 4 minutes ago, detroit1 said: Just because you remove it does not mean you have to throw it away... Ya, as I said earlier, I've got a Berkley Pit Boss that's seen 4 trips, a number of lure changes, 3 fish caught...and it's back in the pack for next year. Some plastics are pretty hardy and can take multiple uses. 1 Quote
Shimano_1 Posted November 2, 2020 Posted November 2, 2020 Guess im in the minority as well. I definitely understand the high salt content causing rust but I've also left trailers on jigs, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits for a while now and aside from a couple of cheap jigs have never had any rust. Guess I've got magic hooks too lol. Definitely something I'll keep an eye on going forward Quote
GetFishorDieTryin Posted November 2, 2020 Posted November 2, 2020 On 10/31/2020 at 6:40 PM, Bird said: Perhaps I'm misunderstanding or not very responsible with lures. I have spinnerbaits and chatterbaits that the trailers have been on since last year and not seeing rust. I do sharpen hooks in the off season. In my locker sits a rod and reel outfitted with a magnum fluke and 5.0 hook for 2 years and no rust. Very meticulous with everything but evidently not with soft plastics. Lol Depends on the hook and depends on the bait. Baits with higher salt content are going to corrode thin wire hooks that aren't plated pretty fast. Depending on the color, you can see the discoloration where the hook meets the air especially if its a white plastic. Your better off removing them from good terminal and baits if your not going to use them. Mend it is cheap, bladed jigs and tungsten heads aren't. Quote
ajschn06 Posted November 2, 2020 Posted November 2, 2020 On 10/31/2020 at 5:40 PM, Bird said: Perhaps I'm misunderstanding or not very responsible with lures. I have spinnerbaits and chatterbaits that the trailers have been on since last year and not seeing rust. I do sharpen hooks in the off season. In my locker sits a rod and reel outfitted with a magnum fluke and 5.0 hook for 2 years and no rust. Very meticulous with everything but evidently not with soft plastics. Lol I put a trailer on a new jig as soon as it comes out of the package. I have jigs in my box that have had the same trailer on them for a couple years- certainly don't look any worse for the wear. I COULD see doing it before the winter just so everything is fresh for the new season. There is NO WAY I'm pulling my trailer off ever trip though... Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted November 2, 2020 Super User Posted November 2, 2020 25 minutes ago, ajschn06 said: I have jigs in my box that have had the same trailer on them for a couple years- certainly don't look any worse for the wear. You all fish a lot differently than me. My motto is "If you ain't getting hung up, you ain't in the right spot." I'm not sure I have ever fished a single jig for an hour. On the Tennessee River it's often one and done. I might be Siebert Outdoors best customer! 2 Quote
ajschn06 Posted November 2, 2020 Posted November 2, 2020 13 minutes ago, roadwarrior said: You all fish a lot differently than me. My motto is "If you ain't getting hung up, you ain't in the right spot." I'm not sure I have ever fished a single jig for an hour. On the Tennessee River it's often one and done. I might be Siebert Outdoors best customer! Nah man- it's just me Mr. "buy 15 different jig colors, rig em all up with sweet trailers, and use the same 2 colors every time" 2 Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted November 2, 2020 Super User Posted November 2, 2020 Try a jig I designed for Siebert Outdoors: 3/8 oz Grid Iron G2, "Kent Craw" https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products?page=4 Trailer: Rage Tail Blue Craw https://www.ragetail.com/products/rage-craw/ Quote
ajschn06 Posted November 2, 2020 Posted November 2, 2020 1 hour ago, roadwarrior said: Try a jig I designed for Siebert Outdoors: 3/8 oz Grid Iron G2, "Kent Craw" https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products?page=4 Trailer: Rage Tail Blue Craw https://www.ragetail.com/products/rage-craw/ I'ma do that... Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted November 2, 2020 Super User Posted November 2, 2020 I definitely will leave trailers on baits with certain hooks. I had a swim jig with a bait on it for 2 years and no rust. Light nickel hooks, I won't leave baits on long, but others I don't worry about too much. I do try to pull most baits off though after the last trip of the year, but there are always a few that get missed. On another thread, someone said what's losing a trailer vs a 3 to 4 dollar jig. Well I counter that with what's a 4 dollar jig when you regularly toss little used trailers that run anywhere from 0.40 to over a buck for some swimbaits that have life left in them and never caught a fish. They add up quickly too, but we just don't think about it. The only jigs I have really lost over the years are the light wire slider spider heads and not that many of them either. Whatever works for you stick with it. This is like the scent argument, don't think we are changing each others minds;) Quote
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