Hello,

Do you remove the front treble hook, when trolling a crankbait (Wally Diver, Shad Rap, Hot-N-Tot, etc).

Am curious about possible benefits of fewer snags vs. possible disadvantages of fewer hookups due to fewer hooks. Thanks!

I don't but I don't think it would change your hookup percentage much.

I leave mine on there. Curious to see what others say.

I have taken off the trebles and replaced them with single hooks, but that was only so I could rip them through weeds, not to avoid snags.

They are designed to run with hooks attached. Removing these can affect the way the lure tracks, not to mention holding a fish upon a strike.

Totally up to you, but don't think it's an advantage.

It is very helpful to remove the front treble if your trolling without a depth finder or you want to stay continually in contact with the bottom.

But what I tend to do is upsize the rear treble by one size.

There is also a safety factor which is not inconsiderable. Fish hooked by a single treble are much easier and safer to deal with. I have not noticed much, if any, change in action with the lures I have done this to.

You can drag lures across some fairly gnarly places without as much snagging. Your lip is usually the only thing which gets wedged and some slack will usually get the lure out of trouble.

Another option which I find quite intriguing is to ditch front trebles and replace the rear with double hooks (like frog style hooks). These double hooks are made to slide onto a lure without a split ring. Freshwater styles include Owner and Gamakatsu. This system is very common in salt water circles and double hooks are commonly available through salt water suppliers. This route would probably work best with a little bigger crank bait like some of the larger X raps.

I would not be removing anything on a lure. They are designed to be on the lure. It can affect the wobble on the lure.

I never have before......

Interesting idea, MT. What's the benefit of the double hook vs. the treble? Just easier on fisherman and fish, while a bit more hooking power than a single hook?

I wouldn’t remove front hooks, but I do remove middle treble from cranks with 3 trebles. Doesn’t seem to affect action and fewer tangles in box.

when fishing submerged wood with medium/shallow runners removing the front treble can help on less hang ups and once you get hung up it's time to move on.

Savage Voyageur: "I would not be removing anything on a lure. They are designed to be on the lure. It can affect the wobble on the lure. "

Bah humbug. Conjecture or have you actually tried it? I spent two weeks on the Hunters loop basically trolling my way around it and my lure was typically minus the front hook. It made for less snags as I had no depth finder and was running across plenty of shallows on occasion and it also made it lots easier to de-hook fish. I also didn't notice any drop off on fish hooked.

Carmike the double hooks are commonly accepted in salt water circles. I was intrigued by them because I like to dig my lures into the bottom and with the hooks riding upright I figured they would be less apt to hang. Certainly they would get a bigger and deeper bite on a fish but the wire in a 3/0, 4/0 or 5/0 hook is somewhat thick AND the double hook is in-line with each other (meaning both points might contact the fish at the same time and thus might require more force to drive home). Certainly guys who fish frogs usually do so with stout line and a beefstick.

I have rigged a few lures up with them, some of the smaller Depth Raiders for example are thusly adorned. I have also removed the front hook and the double is the only hook. Its a nice looking package.........I just need to actually use it LOL.

But thats me the last 10 years or so, always getting ready to go fishing without actually going. Soon enough, I will get my ducks in a row, get this kid out of school and then maybe I can fish a bit more like I used to.

I have a couple #5 / #7 floating rapalas that I've removed the belly hook on for fishing a local creek with smallmouth in it. Sometimes only fishing water 2' deep or so. Not sure I hang up less or not. I use different lures that have and don't have the belly hook.

Never have removed them on a shad rap or husky jerk when fishing BW waters.

Ah yes, that makes sense -- with the double hooks pointed up, there isn't the one pointed down to get snagged. That's good thinking. :)

if switching from a treble to a double, i'd guess it would be best to up-size the hook a bit. to save time, what about just snipping the downward facing hook on the treble? would this decrease hook ability by 1/3?

zski: "if switching from a treble to a double, i'd guess it would be best to up-size the hook a bit. to save time, what about just snipping the downward facing hook on the treble? would this decrease hook ability by 1/3?"

The double frog hooks / saltwater double hooks are generally bigger anyway. Pretty sure the smallest frog hook is 3/0. I haven't really dug around to see however. Who knows. In this day and age they might make them.......since when does a hook have to be single or triple anyways ;-) says who?

I suppose you could clip a treble but it doesn't have the right "sound" to me. When I go with a single treble I do go one size bigger. Little bigger gap, a bit more holding power and likely less pulled hooks. Still fairly snag free and less hassle at boat side which is a desirable thing if your trolling while traveling.

If the rap is long enough and therefore comes with three treble hooks, I remove the middle treble. This is for convenience and safety so that I'm not working to get two trebles out of mouth/hide of a larger fish.