doh!

[MakoMike]

Eben,
So does that mean that I caught more bass on Tuesday than you and TT put together?

[DZ]

Eben,
They haven't made a treble yet that won't straighten under certain conditions. This typically happens because of the tourque generated when trebles tend to work against each other as your cow thrashes around and/or starts to rub her head in the rockweed jungle. The treble hook dilemma is the exact reason that Pichney and Coleman developed the stubby needle for use on Block. A Strong single hook will not straighten. A very bright idea that drastically cut down the amount of lost cows due to treble failure.

DZ

[Saltheart]

One hook works against the other. Myn guess is the plug would handle large fish better if the middle trebble were removed. I think it would be even better if the middle on ewere removed and the tail hook switched to a single long shank hook.

[DZ]

Plug,
Thanks for the comment.
I said "strong" single hook - I learned my lesson with those "forged" mustads as well. In my opinion they are not very dependable. We used them on our rigged eels but not for long. If you have to fish a single hook by all means avoid forged (pressed shank) models .

We went to Eagle Claw stainless 90SS and stopped the staightening problem. If you have a good set and the hook point penetrates it's hard to straighten a "strong" single hook. I guess the key word here is strong. It's a relative term.

DZ

[vineyardblues]

Ok, I see this alot,,, fisherman who do not fish the correct way,
When you hook up DO NOT fight the fish with your rod tip up, when you do it's your line, drag, and hooks against the fish. USE your ROD!!!!!!!!!
Always Always Always pull from the left side or right side and use your Rod .

You may think I am nuts but it's what the Big Man told me. And it's the only way to land a large fish, Also a prayer helps

I hope this helps
VB

[Plug]

Just to clarify I deleted the post Dennis is referring to because I couldn't get the image to post.

Here's the jig, 6/0 forged Mustad. BTW it was a "Jig-Rigged" eel. The jig was in the roof of the fishes mouth. It fell out when I lifted the fish out of the water. As Dennis said it wasn't a good hook set. Roof of the mouth doesn't allow the hook to bury to the bend. It was a nice fish (24#) but certainly no tackle-busting leviathin.



Never used the 90SS Dennis, are they jig hooks? If so have to give them a shot. I know the Eagle Claw cadmium jig hooks are poop, worse even.

[DZ]

Plug,
They're not a jig hook. Offset stainless beak type. We use them on rigged eelbobs that we leave in brine solution.
We did at one time pour jig heads with them - we had to insert some brass sinker eyes into the hook eye and then make them fit the jig mold. Pain in the ass - but those jigs didn't straighten. Might be worth a shot if you're fishing jigs.

DZ

[Plug]

I've seen the sinker eye thing done. I've also considered bobs. I like the idea of a swinging hook. But down here in this fast moving water just a straight jig has always been very effective and is about all we've ever used. That and squids. I'll have to incorporate some more Yankee methods.