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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Replacing treble hooks advice
 
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iCallitMaize
06/21/2025 08:33PM
  
Get a decent pair of split ring pliers. My cheap ones are a PIA.
 
thegildedgopher
06/28/2025 12:15PM
  
iCallitMaize: "Get a decent pair of split ring pliers. My cheap ones are a PIA. "
X2– mine are terrible.


I really like siwash hooks as a replacement for trebles on my spoons. Probably be good on crankbaits as well.


Pinching or grinding the barbs down makes trebles pretty manageable in my opinion. But going single hook will certainly help with that last 10% of risk mitigation.
 
apk
06/21/2025 07:42PM
  
Fantastic! Thank you, both.
 
Jackfish
06/21/2025 08:34AM
  
apk: "Are there types of lures where replacing the treble with a single is going to negatively affect the action? "
As a general statement, I don't think so. Just make sure the replacement hooks are roughly the same size as the ones you're replacing. If there is any doubt in your mind, bring a couple different sizes with you and troll it next to the canoe so you can check the action. Chances are, if the new hooks are similarly sized, you'll be fine.

I've been going to Q for years and we've always kept the original treble hooks on our lures, but just pinch down the barbs. There are many who replace the trebles with single hooks. It's a great idea, but we've never done it. Not sure why.

As for the barbless hooks policy in Q... keep in mind you can have a tackle box full of barbed hooks. You just have to pinch down the barbs before you fish with them.
 
apk
06/21/2025 07:26AM
  
Hi, novice here, and I'd love some advice. I am just starting collecting a few lures and getting ready for my first fishing trip. Most of my fishing will be in Quetico, so I'll be crimping barbs down. But I was also considering replacing treble hooks with single hooks, mainly to make releasing caught fish easier but also I am very clumsy and it seems like the treble hooks really like to snag up on anything and everything.

Are there types of lures where replacing the treble with a single is going to negatively affect the action?

Do you have any recommendations for how to replace them (sizing, tools, etc)?

Anything I should consider as I do this, or would you advise against it?

Thanks for any input you have!
 
Ausable
06/21/2025 12:35PM
  
I've replaced trebles with singles on all my Rapala, Berkley, and Heddon crank baits. The lake trout, bass, and pike haven't been turned off by the single hooks.


Here is a good article from 2016 on replacing trebles with single hooks: Joseph Simond's article


Here is the link to Owner Hooks' treble hooks page where you will find their single hook replacements with size charts under each variety of single replacement hook:
Owner Hooks single hooks for replacing trebles


You'll need split-ring pliers and maybe some new split rings.