Add larger split rings to lipless cranks?

[Mike 12345]

Somewhere, over the past couple months, I have read (I think)  that some people either use larger split rings to attach trebles to their lipless cranks, or they add another smaller ring to the existing one-----which supposedly, makes it harder for a fish to throw the lure.

Now I can't find that article any more.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about, or can someone verify that at all?  I keep getting strikes, but am having trouble getting the fish hooked on well.

Thanks

[21farms]

mike, if you're having troubles with hookups while crankin', IMHO, the split rings would the LAST thing i'd check!

FWIW, i used to loathe crankin' because my hookup/landing ratio was so dismal. so, i made some changes and now, i love throwing crankbaits. my hookup ratio more than doubled and, once hooked, they're gonna be landed 99% of the time (this year, i have only lost one fish during the fight).

here's my list of recommendations for you (in order):

1. get yourself a good crankin' rod, preferably glass...something like the lamiglas skeet reese rod or a powell glass CB. this here makes the biggest difference you can imagine.

2. while cranking, always hold your rod at an angle to your line. this allows the rod to absorb the strike so the fish can get the crank into his mouth instead of you pulling it to quickly.

3. change your hooks to some qood quality ones. i prefer owner stingers but Tx3s and gammy's are good too.

good luck.

[TournyFish001]

I can see the idea of adding an extra split ring for less leverage on the fish but man would that be a hook tangling son of a gun

[basser89]

Mike,

What rod are you throwing your lipless crankbaits with? I use a medium/heavy action rod with a soft tip so I'm not ripping the hooks out of their mouths. I also use a slow sweeping hookset as well. If you're hitting them several times with a hookset, you could be making the hook hole large enough that any little slack will allow them to slip out. I do add a second split ring to the rear hook only to reduce the amount of leverage they'd have during the fight. Using just the one extra split ring doesn't cause the hooks to tangle that often for me.

[Mike 12345]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I have had some issues with getting good hooksets on crankbaits in general, getting a little better lately.  The main reason I asked this question is I have one chrome/blue lipless crank in particular that I have gotten a couple of really good fish hooked (one had to have been a good 4 -5 lbs anyway) that end up getting off the hooks before I can land the fish.

I replaced the factory hooks a couple days ago with some very angry looking replacements, so hopefully that will help.  I am also looking into getting into a better quality cranking rod as well.

I remember reading that some think bass are more likely to throw a lipless crank, and there were some techniques they used to combat that.  Anyway, I appreciate it!

[Grey Wolf]

I use a sweeping hook set , keep my rod tip low and keep constant pressure on the fish. Hope that helped.