Quote:
Originally Posted by goldscud
Nice fish.
Do you think changing out your trebles for single hooks would be a good idea to reduce the amount of tissue damage?
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Absolutely. There is no good reason for using treble hooks on trout in a catch & release river. It's very easy to swap them for a single. If they have a split-ring, remove the treble hook and substitute a similarly weighted octopus or similar wide-gap hook to get proper set and hold. If they don't have a split-ring (for instance on Rooster Tails and such) cut the treble hook off with some pliers and put on a siwash hook. These hooks come open at eye-end and can be slipped on and then pinched down with pliers. I have experimented with different sizes and hooks to see effect on lure action and it's really easy.
https://youtu.be/N0Yd93ihWDg
With trout I don't see any benefit to using a treble at all. All it does is increase fish mortality and tangle up in your nets. The odds of sticking them in the eye is pretty significant. If you're fishing for pike or bass or other fish with hardier constitution and tougher mouths, I can possibly see that making sense ( I don't, I've swapped all my pike lures to single without any noticeable drop in hook-ups) but for trout, not at all.
https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley....1577/M02-172.1
http://www.northlandoutdoors.com/201...y-live-or-die/