Treble Hooks. Changing to singles?

**Pelamid** · 11-01-2007, 09:01

A question in the general forum about views on treble hooks brings this question :
I am not a great fan of trebles so can anyone advise me of a single hook type that could be used on the plugs used for bass?
Hook would need to be wide gape, short shank and have a large eye.
A single to replace a treble could also be quite heavy so as not to affect lure action.

**sallysludgebucket** · 14-01-2007, 03:44

Hi matey, check out the partridge F" f point, I use size 2 with great success, very strong hook slightly beaked point so its protected if you clip rough ground. Have also used various carp hooks with great success, I just give em a squirt of WD40 when I put em back in the lure box.

**Pelamid** · 14-01-2007, 08:25

Thanks SallyS.
Bit surprised there was not more response to the question. Either most anglers think its too simple or they are quite happy with trebles
I will check out your hook suggestion for this coming season.
03.44 and you are checking out WSF? The fishing must be bad!

**lobsterkid** · 14-01-2007, 08:30

Originally Posted by Pelamid

Thanks SallyS.
Bit surprised there was not more response to the question. Either most anglers think its too simple or they are quite happy with trebles
I will check out your hook suggestion for this coming season.
03.44 and you are checking out WSF? The fishing must be bad!

Maybe she's like me. Had a tooth out at the dentist. Been up all night. Hurts like hell.LOL

**Pelamid** · 14-01-2007, 09:07

'Wind' is my excuse.
Could be weather or curry.

**bil** · 14-01-2007, 11:41

What's the general take on this? Is a move to singles from trebles based on damage to the fish or better hooking?

As a novice, I would automatically assume that a treble is better at catching.

Sally, what's your take?

Oh yes. I couldn't find the thread you describe. Have you a link please?

**Pelamid** · 14-01-2007, 13:09

My thoughts are both for fish welfare and practicality.
A small, lively fish is a hazard both to itself and to the angler. Trebles can have all the points stuck around the fishes mouth, and on lures with 2 or 3 trebles the hazard to the angler is obvious. Larger fish are often easier to deal with than small ones.
Using plugs for bass the lure itself can be grabbed to lift a small fish - if there is only a large single hook on the lure. Even with two singles (if barbless) there is little hazard. Easy to release then.
One problem with some lures is the single hook being pressed against the lure body - the point missing the fish. I have tried cutting two points off a treble leaving enough bend to hold the hook away from the lure body. Works but I would prefer a single hook.

There are some trebles for livebaits with one bend being much larger than the other two. Now a bit of surgery on them - may have answered my own question!

**sallysludgebucket** · 14-01-2007, 15:10

Originally Posted by bil

What's the general take on this? Is a move to singles from trebles based on damage to the fish or better hooking?

As a novice, I would automatically assume that a treble is better at catching.

Sally, what's your take?

Oh yes. I couldn't find the thread you describe. Have you a link please?

What thread was that matey, heads a ball of ----------currently !

I was so sick of ripping pike and perch I changed over to fishing a single hook, lip hooking small live / dead bait. Then I experimented on a separate rod with spinners, plugs, sink and draw dead bait and found no difference in hook ups, in fact I reckon its improved and no damaged fish. A treble can have leverage if only one point is secured that a single hook doesnt.

With sea fishing, I found that trebles were more trouble than they are worth with schooly ( small ) bass around, I would rather not catch than return fish that I have maimed. After all when they are mature and go down the local bass disco they aint going to pull are they, and self abuse does little for increasing dwindling stocks !

I started off with the semi barbless pike treble hooks that have only the bait holding hook barbed, while using single hooks on course fishing, just a case of having confidence to try it on the sea. No I wouldnt be too happy losing the fish of a lifetime as I hadnt filled its gob with a huge treble, but I wasnt happy ripping the face off juveniles either. I dont believe their is much difference, to ensure the single hook is trailing I usually add on a jelly tail, lumi grub, worm, red wool, feather etc If I do leave trebles on I do tend to knock the barbs down to form a bump on cheaper lures for adding to the bottom of feathers, float fishing etc

Ark at me, this is the person that used to catch pike in the singular most barbaric way I can imagine, education and conservation and a few years of maturity and I have seen the light. Christ I shall be wearing long flowing ethnic skirts and singing god is good soon !

**Woody** · 14-01-2007, 16:53

Fair play Sally, that's a good post. It certainly convinces me to try the single hook.

**Pelamid** · 14-01-2007, 17:07

Thanks SallyS. It's good to see there are a few anglers questioning the need for treble hooks.
Perhaps the manufacturers of lures will pick up on this.
Time trebles were consigned to ROOM 101