Tip of The Week

Trailer Hooks On many occasions I have been asked "when should I use a trailer hook on my spinnerbait?". My response is "always". I should clarify that. The only time I wouldn't use a trailer hook would be when the weed growth simply was so thick that the trailer hook was continuelly fouling in the weeds. Many indicate that they add a trailer hook if they get a short strike or two. Well, that just means they lost an opportunity to put an additional fish or maybe two in the boat. The angler may have caught both those short striking fish with a trailer hook attached. Why wait until you a miss a fish or two? mmmmm. Many shorten the skirt of the spinnerbait up to the hook to try and deal with short strikes and that does help especially when a trailer hook can't be used due to weed growth. Generally, I don't shorten the skirt. The extra skirt materials gives the bait more bulk, I believe at times making it more enticing to a fish. There are several different ways to attach or help keep a trailer hook in-place on the main hook of the spinnerbait. I prefer to allow the trailer hook to swing free on the main hook. Why? When using a chrome or red hook I believe additional flash is created from the side to side flutter of the trailer hook from the vibration of the spinnerbait blades. Also, a trailer hook that is attached rigidly tends to swing off to the side during the cast and will foul in the weeds. The first photo shows a small section of latex tubing keeping the trailer hook in-place. The second photo shows some of the different materials that can be used: 1) latex tubing (red - upper left), 2) clear vinyl tubing can be cut into small sections (upper right), and 3) some trailer hooks come with molded "buttons" that slide over the point of the hook (bottom centre). You could even use a short section of your favourite used Berkley soft bait to keep the trailer hook in-place! I can't remember the number of times that I brought a fish to the boat where the trailer hook was the only hook in the fish! Ensure the hook is sharp because it may be the only one the fish bites! I will add that I have never had a fish shake the trailer hook from the main hook while fighting the fish to the boat. So, if you don't use a trailer hook on your spinnerbait give it a try. I don't believe you'll be disappointed. Since the article this week is concerning spinnerbaits I decide I would give away a spinnerbait accessory kit to an NPS member. All the items are right out of my kit. With this kit you should be able modify just about any spinnerbait you have in your tacklebox to match the water conditions. The spinnerbait accessory kit contains (see photo 3 & 4): ¢ 8 skirts (4 red, 1 white, 1 chartreuse, 1 chartreuse/green, 1 perch) ¢ 2 trailer hooks (3/0) with hook keepers ¢ A package of split rings ¢ 3 # 6 blades (white, silver & copper) ¢ 2 # 4.5 blades (gold & white) ¢ 3 # 3.5 blades (white, chartreuse & perch) ¢ 3 rubber core weights (attach to main hook to increase spinnerbait weight) Here's how you can get a chance at winning the kit: First I'd ask that you sign-up as a "follower". Please let me know if you are just signing-up or if you are already a "follower. Then let me know what spinnerbait combination you usually throw when you go fishing (i.e. blade & skirt colour and weight). You must have a Canadian mailing address (ie. Customs). The contest is open until 12:30 PM (Atlantic) Friday April 20th. As always, a winner will be drawn from the entries. I'll announce the winner and get the items in the mail once I receive the mailing address from the winner. Even if you are not interested in these items make sure you're signed-on as a "follower so you don't miss out on other items I will be giving away in the coming weeks. I have something really nice coming-up. Don't miss out. Good Luck! See You On The Water Andrew