Trailor hooks?

[ssaB_htuoM_egraL]

I didn't want to hijack the Chatterbait thread so I will ask this question here.  I have heard more and more people talk about trailor hooks, even saw Mr. Dance using one on his show.  My question is, are there special trailor hooks that should be used, do you attach them directly to the home hook and last do you put plastics on both or just the home hook or just the trailor hook?

Thanks!

[Jig Man]

You can buy special trailer hookshttp://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Subclass_10151_-1_10001_100010002_100000000_100010000_image_0_1?CMID=FILN_OS_TERMINALTACKLE_HOOKSHOOKACCESSORIES.  

I normally use extra spinnerbait hooks from my stash.  Lately I have been using dressed treble hooks on my buzz baits because of fish not really making contact.  I keep them on with a piece of surgical tubing.  When I am using a trailer hook, I rarely use an additional trailer since I don't like the way the stuff comes through the water.

There really isn't a right or wrong way to do it.  Just experiment and see what you like.  I prefer to not use one at all if the fish are agressive.

[Sam]

I use real trailer hooks that you can purchase at your local tackle shop.

They are easy to use and will help improve your catch ratio.

Their eye is larger than a regular hook so they can move around easily on the bait's hook's shaft.

I use them on buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits and a topwater frog when I get frustrated with short strikes.

Be sure the trailer hook is one size smaller than the bait's hook and that it sticks out straight with the rubber tube not interfering with the bait's barb.

And be careful when removing the bait's hook and the trailer hook.  I have already had to push the trailer hook through my thumb and cut off the barb to remove it when the bass jumped as I was removing the buzzbait and the trailer hook dove into my thumb, just missing the bone.

And don't worry about throwing the spinnerbait or buzzbait into structure.  The trailer hook will not get caught in the structure...maybe.

[rondef]

I have heard so many people speak about catch ratios using trailor hooks with spinners here on this forum.  Any time I get a hit on a spinner I am able to catch the bass and I don't use trailer hooks.  I have bought some due to the advice on this forum but have yet to use them as I have not had a need to use them yet.  I guess I will eventually try them when I begin having problems landing bass.

[ssaB_htuoM_egraL]

I bought some at lunch today.  Gama hooks 2/0.  How do you put them on with the tubing?  I guess you take the eye of the trailor hook and hook it to the home hook but where does the tubing go?  Does anybody have any pictures or explainations?

Thanks in advance.

[Triton21]

There are 2 ways to attach the hook.  1 is to put the eye of the hook into the tubing and then on the bait's hook, the other is to put the hook on the bait's hook and then put the tubing on the bait's hook so to hold the trailer hook on.

[bowtech_182]

I always put a  trailer hook on a  buzzbait/spinner, but instead of tubing I usually just cut of a 1/4" section off a trick work and stick it on the hook to keep the trailer hook on.

Andy

[Triton21]

Heres another tip on how to keep the trailer hook on.  Use a hole punch to punch small round circles from colored plastic lids that come on cans(ie. peanuts, cashews, ect, ect), use a sharp ponited tool(I use an ice pick) to make a very small hole in center of circle to be able to start your hook.  Also I use Catfish Hooks(large eye) fpr Trailer Hooks.  Much cheaper to go this route.  I always sharpen the Catfish Hooks.

Kelley

[BOOYAH]

I started using trailer hooks this year and have had great success witht them.

[ssaB_htuoM_egraL]

Thanks guys.  I used it last night on a buzzbait (caught a couple on the trailor) after about a 1/2 hour of casting the trailor hook was gone.   :'( I will have to try what Triton21 said.

P.S. Man are Buzzbaits awesome, gets your heart rate going!!!!

[bassmaster8100]

I use the actual trailer hooks from a tackle shop or bass pro. I generally use them with spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and chatterbaits.

[Tokyo Tony]

Ever since watching a Kevin VanDam video on spinnerbaits I've been using trailer hooks on every one of my spinnerbaits. He says in the video that he always uses a trailer hook, and seeing as how he's regarded as one of, if not the, best spinnerbait fishermen, I will not argue with him. He even uses them in dense cover.

I can't count the number of times I've caught fish (some nice ones, too) on just the trailer hook. I'd rather not have to use one, but I guarantee you'll hook more fish if you use them.

[Lucky Craft Man]

These are the trailor hooks I use.  They have worked great for me.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_45167_100010002_100000000_100010000_100-10-2

[ejtaylor822]

I've tried them, 2/0 on large spinners and chatters, but seems like the tubing will come off then I lose the hook.  Will have to try the tricks mentioned from bowtech182 and triton21.  Haven't used in a lot of cover.  Will have to try on a buzz, that's a good idea.

[Bob Kavanaugh]

If you're losing your trailer hook with the surgical tubing, you may be doing it wrong.

Place the eye of the hook INTO the tubing, and puncture the side of the tube wall, then through the eye, then punch out the other side of the tube. This allows you to position the trailer straight back inline with the main hook so it's not flopping all around. It will hold whatever position you put it in. It's actually VERY tough to get the hook to come back off this way because the tubing won't want to go back over the barb...   I can try to post pictures if I wasn't too clear. Just let me know...

[T-rig]

I usually use japanese trailer hooks that come with a little rubber stopper. This way the hook can move freely.

[T-rig]

You can also use assist hooks used for saltwater jigs.

[Tokyo Tony]

Wow that looks really cool - does anyone else use the assist hooks?  And if so, do you find that they're as effective as a normal trailer hook?  It seems that the assist hook would be easier to remove from a landed fish.  Sometimes it takes me a while, especially when night fishing, to remove fish that are hooked with the main hook and the trailer.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Wow that looks really cool - does anyone else use the assist hooks? And if so, do you find that they're as effective as a normal trailer hook? It seems that the assist hook would be easier to remove from a landed fish. Sometimes it takes me a while, especially when night fishing, to remove fish that are hooked with the main hook and the trailer.

I use the "assist hook" (Gamakatsu G-Stinger - I posted the link above) all the time.  Though, my doesn't have the dressing like T-rig.  Very good hook and easy to take off you put on another lure if you wanted.

[dman]

I have heard so many people speak about catch ratios using trailor hooks with spinners here on this forum. Any time I get a hit on a spinner I am able to catch the bass and I don't use trailer hooks. I have bought some due to the advice on this forum but have yet to use them as I have not had a need to use them yet. I guess I will eventually try them when I begin having problems landing bass.

Exactly,   i dont even feel the need to set the hook when using spinnerbaits,  they usually hit it so hard they seal the deal on themselves....  I can however see using them with a Buzzbait since its tough getting topwater bites (up here in the north it is anyway,   in fact i cant recall EVER even having a bite with a buzzbait,  but then again i dont use them much,  but because i dont get bites!)