Posted by MarkNJBass on 09-12-2003 04:43 PM:

Spinnerbaits - Trailer or Trailer hooks?

Just wondering what the opinions were of some of the forum posters. I used to always use a trailer hook but the past couple of fishing seasons it seems I'm doing better using a plastic trailer instead of using the hook. My set-up is pretty simple...a white 38-Special with a 4-5 inch chart. grub as a trailer. Maybe not as many bites...but certainly bigger fish. Thanks for the comments.. Mark

Posted by earthworm77 on 09-12-2003 06:10 PM:

Mark, I never use a trailer or trailer hook on a spinnerbait. I don't notice too many bump and runs. Most of the hits result in hooked fish. I feel that if a fish strikes short, he was not committed to hitting the bait anyway and might be best caught on another lure

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Posted by Senkosam on 09-12-2003 06:41 PM:

Are two better than one? If I'm fishing for pickerel, I believe so. If bass are chasing spinnerbaits, I might use a trailer hook with a grub trailer, but not without, especially if the trailer is 5". I've noticed short strikes with larger grubs that the short shank hook can't accomodate. I also use a trailer hook when using large #5 willow leaf blades because larger bass need a larger hook size (gap and shank) and/or more points with certain baits.

A large, hard jerkbait isn't rigged with one-barb hooks, one treble or small trebles; most have 6-9 points hanging down. Is it because bass strike topwaters and near-surface baits from different angles or is it because a jumping fish has more chance of coming off, with less points to embed?

All I know is that my biggest bass and pickerel over 4 lbs have been brought to the net because the trailer hook was the onlyhook still embedded. The only fish over 7.5 lbs was lost because the larger spinnerbait hook tore a large hole from the fish jumping 3x. The trailer hook is free-swinging (like on a hinge), and seems to accomodate direction changes when needed.

The smaller the bass I anticipate catching, the less I use trailers or trailer hooks - especially smallmouth.

FrankM

Posted by Cast-a-way on 09-13-2003 07:55 AM:

I use both at ALL times....

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Posted by Woody on 09-13-2003 08:12 AM:

I am with Cast-A-Way on this one

I NEVER fish a Tournament without a trailer or trailer hook.
Tight Lines,
Woody

Posted by joe p on 09-13-2003 08:36 AM:

Like Craig, Im not one for a trailer. Ive always said this, a spinnerbait bite is most often vicious and obvious. What does a trailer hook do? Add another inch to 'REACH'out a curious fish?

Ive toyed around with a trailer hook more this season to find out what the big deal. I got fish on the trailer and also the main hook.
I also ended up cleaning the lure more often. Again, I will throw a spinnerbait in places Ill throw a jig. Id like to see someone run a spinnerbait in a lily pad field, and not get hung up more than they should...

Joe

Posted by Woody on 09-13-2003 08:49 AM:

Joe...

I would be throwing something else in Lily pad fields !!! I can see your's and Earthy's point. Different Strokes !!!!
I have caught more fish on a Spinnerbait this year than ever before....I also would have missed some NICE fish had I not put on a rear hook.
Tight Lines,
Woody

Posted by joe p on 09-13-2003 10:12 AM:

I will put a plastic trailer, if needed. If you can find 'em , those Zoom Skinny chunks works great as a spinnerbait trailer.

A trailer helps give the bait lift and gives the bait a bigger profile in murky water. ...

Joe

Posted by Bass Stalker on 09-13-2003 01:04 PM:

I NEVER use a trailer hook and see no reason for using one unless you intend on using a trailer (which I never do).

Also, I'm convinced the "short strike" theory has nothing to do with the hook. It has everything to do with a properly setup bait and presentation. Here is my reasoning:

a) The skirt needs to be trimmed to match the lenght of the hook. If there is no skirt material protruding beyond the point of the hook then there is NOTHING for the fish to be striking short on.

b) The retrieve speed should be slowed down if the fish are hitting the lure but not getting hooked. That's usually an indication that the fish are not as active or willing to chase the bait. Sometimes changing the skirt color can make a difference but it's primarily the retrieve speed.

I've made another observation and I don't know if anyone else has experienced this. On several occasions, I feel the hit but after reeling in the lure I notice one of the blades are missing !!!

Your thoughts..........

Ronnie

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Posted by joe p on 09-13-2003 01:54 PM:

good post, ronnie....

Joe

Posted by Senkosam on 09-13-2003 06:04 PM:

I have Homer Circle's underwater videos of various lure strikes by bass. Sat. am, the Discovery Channel showed how different species feed - from capture to swallowing. The video showed the same type of bass strike on a spinnerbait - the whole bait ended up being sucked in to its mouth.

If you think about it, a single hook that's traveling from the back of a bass's mouth to the front, must hook somewhere near the upper lip or mouth corner as it's sliding forward. Most spinnerbait anglers know the feel of a s.b. strike and rear back once slack is felt. Missed fish might occur in situations where the main hook was not far enough back toward the throat or where the upper arm caused the fish to open up if the lure was pulled into an upright position. A trailer hook will run at an angle to the main hook as it begins to be pulled forward in the bass's mouth, therefore allowing an opportunity for a second point-stick if the main hook misses. This is assuming the trailer hook is free- swinging versus fixed.

I've used trailer hooks on spinnerbaits and Johnson Silver Minnows with pork frogs, and don't get hung up as often as one would think in pads. If a 12" fish goes after the skirt or trailer, I want a better chance of bringing the fish to the weigh in, especially if ounces are involved.

FrankM

Posted by Bassin Dude on 09-13-2003 07:15 PM:

I just typed out a reply and see that Frank just said exactly what I stated.

I have nothing to add really except nice job Frank!

To anyone else, you really have to see those Circle video's to really appreciate the importance of a trailer hook on spinnerbaits.

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"That man's nuts... GRAB 'EM!"

Posted by Bass Stalker on 09-13-2003 07:43 PM:

[QUOTE] Originally posted by Senkosam

A trailer hook will run at an angle to the main hook as it begins to be pulled forward in the bass's mouth, therefore allowing an opportunity for a second point-stick if the main hook misses. This is assuming the trailer hook is free- swinging versus fixed.

Frank,
I may agree with that statement if the trailer hook was placed "upside down" in relation to the spinnerbaits hook.

Ronnie

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Posted by Bass Stalker on 09-13-2003 07:53 PM:

quote:

Originally posted by Bassin Dude

To anyone else, you really have to see those Circle video's to really appreciate the importance of a trailer hook on spinnerbaits. [/B]

Tony,

I honestly believe that if trailer hooks are so pivotal in determining the hooking ratio, then guy's like me that don't use them should be loosing the majority of the fish......do you agree ?

Ronnie

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Posted by Bassin Dude on 09-13-2003 08:50 PM:

quote:

Originally posted by Bass Stalker
Tony,

I honestly believe that if trailer hooks are so pivotal in determining the hooking ratio, then guy's like me that don't use them should be loosing the majority of the fish......do you agree ?

Ronnie

Ronnie,

In many ways bass fishing is very mechanical but in most ways, it is so much more then that. Everyone has different subtle idiosyncratic tendencies which effect the final result - "putting fish in the boat".

When I write on these forums, my talk is mainly in generalities. What works for one person may or may not work for another. This isn't because that person is right or wrong... that person is just different.

As far as spinnerbait fishing is concerned... GENERALLY, for most anglers, a trailer hook is a benefit. The Circle video's offer a clue as to why. Also, if one reads the books and watches the video's from the pro's whom are top spinnerbait anglers, they will see that all of them, without exception, use a trailer hook at least some of the time. Many of them use it all of the time.

So, when someone asks if they should use a trailer hook, my answer will be that they should use one. Not only does my personal experience indicate that one is necessary, but my research on the subject indicates so also.

Now, you land most of your fish when using a spinnerbait... THATS GREAT! Many aren't as adept at you when using this bait. I only suggest that you keep that in mind.

__________________
Tony

"That man's nuts... GRAB 'EM!"

Posted by earthworm77 on 09-13-2003 10:03 PM:

I got your back Ronnie, I am in major agree-ance with your point!

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Posted by BUDDYROW on 09-14-2003 01:48 AM:

personally, i feel trailer hook is a benefit for me.....there fore
i use it.....at times, not all the time....use hook up /hook down
with grub and w/o grub....maybe a confidence thing not really sure.... as i have caught bass with and w/o trailer hooks....
i believe situation and personal preference win here...

Posted by JPBass on 09-14-2003 07:08 AM:

I use a trailer hook for the simple reason that I can't see how it could hook any LESS fish.

In my time using a spinnerbait numerous fish have been landed hooked by just the trailer. Perhaps that means I should of been using a different lure but that doesn't change the fact that those fish are in the boat.....Until someone tells me how that hook can cause me to catch less fish I'll leave it on.

P.S. What about buzzbaits?? Do we use a trailer there??

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Posted by Cast-a-way on 09-14-2003 07:15 AM:

More thoughts on trailer hooks...

This past year at the B.A.S.S. University Zell Roland was saying how he even uses multiple trailer hooks at times with great success. I believe he said he goes as far as 4 hooks when top water fishing certain slop. This, with out a doubt, increases your hook-up ratio in certain situtations.
In my mind trailer hooks do nothing to effect the action of baits when used correctly and could only help in hooking fish. As Woody said, I've also caught some nice fish on trailer hooks over the years. I can't imagine fishing in a tourny without one.
If you don't use them then you don't know what your missing. Frank also makes a great point about how trailer hooks are able to rotate. This too will increase your catch.
Lastly, it can't hurt and can only help....
Keep casting....................

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Posted by Senkosam on 09-14-2003 07:48 AM:

The pic on the left is a trailer-aligned hook. The pic on the right demonstrates a 45 degree left-rotation to the main hook. (I never fix trailers like was once practiced with surg tubing.)
The large eye of the trailer therefore allows a rotation of 90 degrees to the s.b.'s upright wire and a 180 degree swing to either side of the hook bend, regardless of whether the hook is rigged up or down. That equates to two points aiming at two widely spaced gum lines simultaneously, (or anywhere between the incisors and wisdom teeth - for John G). In this case, two is better than one, especially since the spinnerbait is flat in the fish's mouth and must rotate 90 degrees at the oral opening andcatch the lip in one second, after the strike is initiated.

At a BASS U seminar last year, the speaker relayed his alternative use of a treble hook trailer (also free swinging). The speaker was Kevin Van Dam, one of the best, diehard, spinnerbait users in the U.S.A. Bear Paw was with me and took note also. But I disagree with his statement that the smallest possible trailer should be used (1/0). A larger trailer doesn't pick up any more snags and the larger gap is a must for larger fish. (I think he's misleading guys like me so I don't present a challenge at a future classic! lol)

quote:

I honestly believe that if trailer hooks are so pivotal in determining the hooking ratio, then guy's like me that don't use them should be loosing the majority of the fish......do you agree ?

I've got to agree with the word pivotal (as in the trailer's hook's motion), but it's for the minority of fish that may have been lost without the insurance of a t.hook. You never know when it is the only connection possible to a thrashing 6 lber.

FrankM

Posted by Woody on 09-14-2003 08:09 AM:

One last thing...

There were several times Ron that I had the fish hooked with both hooks.

Again different strokes...

I am a big proponent of the two hooks are better than one theory .

I didn't start using a trailer because of short strikes...I was told to put one on by several people I respect in the fishing community.

Again, I have caught more fish on a Spinnerbait this year than ever and IMHO it has helped in MY Hook Up ratio.

As far as fishing a Spinnerbait correctly...I seem to be hooking up.
This is not my "go to" bait and is used more of a search tool for aggressive fish.

Would I throw a trailer in a stump field....Probably not
I guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it....Or more than likely throw another bait .

Tight Lines,
Woody

Posted by Charlie on 09-15-2003 06:28 PM:

If you fish with a SNAP SET spinnerbait, you would never need a trailer.

Rule of thumb:

Heavy cover, weed etc, NO TRAILER!
Open water, clear "path" with no obstructions visible, USE A TRAILER!

Tight Lines!
Charlie

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Posted by earthworm77 on 09-15-2003 07:25 PM:

JP-Buzzbaits......yes I do occasionally use a trailer the reason being that I normally fish them quite fast.

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