Single hook artificials

[Baitfish]

A few weeks ago I posted some peacock reports and a debate arose over shiners vs. artificials. No question that the artificials require more skill and offer a greater challenge. However, since I C&R all my freshwater catch, I don't like the damage the trebles can do. I had read some articles about guides using singles on their artificials and promised to try it and report back. I bought a
3 1/2" X-rap and replaced the trebles with #2 Owner bait hooks. No science to it, they just looked right. The action was unaffected and the lure worked fine.

I got a chance to fish for about 20 minutes yesterday and the modified X-rap worked great. The north side of my spot was dead, so I went to the south side. Second cast got a close inspection and the fourth cast got a hit. The hook-up was perfect; through the lip and behind the bone. Here are some pics, sorry about the quality.

The X-rap


The hook-up


The fish.

I plan on hitting the canals and lakes in the area tomorrow. I'll post another report on the single hook experiment.

[Baitfish]

The action on the X-rap is so exaggerated that it would take a major change to notice a difference. One thing I did notice, the split ring seemed to bind on the nose and hinder the action. I am going to try a second ring to connect to the lure.

[linh]

How about just removing the split ring and tying directly to the lure?

[tsr770]

You could also try big eyed hooks like a siwash to keep them from binding.

[Baitfish]

Hello TSR and welcome to the forum. The hooks are not where the problem occurs. On the nose where the wire loop protrudes from the lure body, the split ring catches this and it imparts a "crab-walk" motion. That is, when pulling straight, the lure travels sideways almost as much as it goes forward. I don't know what the peacock think of this, but it sure makes it hard to work a weedline.

linh - the end loop knot or uni-loop could be used to tie directly and give the proper freedom of movement. The worry I would have is the wire protruding from the plug casting is a small gauge and would likely cause a line failure.

[fishnfool73]

This style has begun catching on with those who toss poppers and swimbaits for tuna.They started coming out with single hooks designed for it. Might be a bit pricey for bass fishing though.

[linh]

Yo-zuri sells them with the circle hook.

[Baitfish]

The circle hooks are interesting. I can see the tail hook setting, but it seems like the front hook would slide through with the body of the lure. Have you fished any of these?

[cudaman]

I have fished those sashimi like that and the hooks as shown work great with no problems. They have them at Captain Harrys and at River Marine in Miami. On some lures I have a treble in the middle and the single hook on the back. Usually the single hook on the back end is whats been catching the fish and the treble doesn't swing all over the place to double hook the fish, but again I use big artificials most of the time. It may be different on smaller artificials. On some Bombers the action is changed too much so I leave the double trebles.