Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

DZ · 02-22-2006, 08:41 AM

Good question and good responses.

Pete,
Just a few thoughts about cut trebles: I have lots of experience (more than I wish to remember) with all aspects of failed treble hooks. I prefer to use non-cut trebles and attach them with heavy duty split rings on almost all my plugs.

That said, I have never had a cut treble fail (on a hook-up) where the cut was. They would straighten like the non-cut trebles but the “cut” never failed on a fish. The cut trebles do have a tendency to break when trying to remove them as has been said by others on this thread. When metal is bent it weakens – cut trebles should be used once - then discarded.

I use heavy duty split rings on my plugs – what I’ve learned is that split rings give your treble hook more room to rotate so as to counteract a bass’s ability to gain leverage and straighten them. Split rings are especially important in connecting the rear treble of the plug. I have had split rings fail on occasion but I believe that having them on has prevented many more straightened trebles. Remember - these applications have been put through the ultimate test at the island in the days of big bass that seemed to take pleasure in destroying your tackle.

As far as trebles on Danny style plugs fouling: a trick I’ve learned from some of the NY crowd was to graduate the size of the trebles you use. If it’s a three treble plug use a 4/0 on the front 3/0 on the middle and 2/0 on the rear. There are so many danny style metal lips out there now that you may have to adjust treble size depending on the plug.
This should help decrease fouling.

I’m thinking about doing a new seminar on ways to tinker with plugs to improve them. It would cover loading plugs, trebles, split rings, droppers, etc. Any interest out there?
DZ

02-22-2006, 08:41 AM	#12
DZ Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 2,574	Good question and good responses. Pete, Just a few thoughts about cut trebles: I have lots of experience (more than I wish to remember) with all aspects of failed treble hooks. I prefer to use non-cut trebles and attach them with heavy duty split rings on almost all my plugs. That said, I have never had a cut treble fail (on a hook-up) where the cut was. They would straighten like the non-cut trebles but the “cut” never failed on a fish. The cut trebles do have a tendency to break when trying to remove them as has been said by others on this thread. When metal is bent it weakens – cut trebles should be used once - then discarded. I use heavy duty split rings on my plugs – what I’ve learned is that split rings give your treble hook more room to rotate so as to counteract a bass’s ability to gain leverage and straighten them. Split rings are especially important in connecting the rear treble of the plug. I have had split rings fail on occasion but I believe that having them on has prevented many more straightened trebles. Remember - these applications have been put through the ultimate test at the island in the days of big bass that seemed to take pleasure in destroying your tackle. As far as trebles on Danny style plugs fouling: a trick I’ve learned from some of the NY crowd was to graduate the size of the trebles you use. If it’s a three treble plug use a 4/0 on the front 3/0 on the middle and 2/0 on the rear. There are so many danny style metal lips out there now that you may have to adjust treble size depending on the plug. This should help decrease fouling. I’m thinking about doing a new seminar on ways to tinker with plugs to improve them. It would cover loading plugs, trebles, split rings, droppers, etc. Any interest out there? DZ
	DZ Recreational Surfcaster "Limit Your Kill - Don't Kill Your Limit" Bi + Ne = SB 2 If you haven't heard of the Snowstorm Blitz of 1987 - you someday will.