Dressed Lure Hooks

Float Tube Fishing Float Tubing General
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:sunglasses:**I had some requests for info on what kinds of hooks to use on the slab spoons I make. I decided to make up some samples of the “dressed hooks” I use, both on the spoons and on trolling lures, like Producers. **

**I am also including a brief “writeup” I put together, which is too long to include as part of the post. **

There are three pics attached, which show some of my favorite styles and colors. Some of the single hooks are those I make to become part of my inline spinner assortment, for trout and other species. Some of them are killer for white bass and other smaller species.

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Them look good, i am willing to bet that the little dressed plastic ones would do very well for ice fishing.

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Pat,
Those look great! You are a fishing encyclopedia! I copied the article and the pictures. I can’t wait to dress up my “Perch Urchins” the way they are supposed to look.

Lloyd

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I like dressing my hooks too. I’ve made some spinners that I can detach the hook (like you would on a small removable jig spinner) so I can add a treble, single, feather/fur dressed, fly, or even a rigged plastic worm or jig. I don’t use a split ring on the hook; I just move the beads and body up off the end and then slide them down again. The shaft before the spinner is longer than a conventional spinner but it makes one piece of “hardware” super versatile with a change in the “software.”

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Hey tubedude, I like your idea! Do you ever use marabou on your hooks, it should work really well.[:)] Have you ever dressed up trebles on jerkbaits and crankbaits? Maybe I’ll have to tie up some tails of my own, if I do I will post my creations on the board. Thanks again for the good ideas.

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As always looks great Tubedude. Always nice to see different ideas of how to present a hook. The dime really helps to get a good idea of the size of the hooks. That’s the biggest question I have looking at a picture. Just how big or little is it. Thanks again.

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:sunglasses:I love marabou. That’s all I ever used before plastic tubes came along (when we were still using stone reels). I still make and use a lot of marabou. There is no synthetic fiber that can come close to matching the breathing action of a good marabou feather.

On jigs and lures, the action of the marabou is largely wasted, because the lure itself provides most of the action. Also, it is more fragile and gets chewed up and/or discolored a lot faster than some of the new synthetic Fish Hair or Supreme Hair. A good compromise is that superfine nylon hair from synthetic fur. Makes great small jigs and also works well for dressing hooks where you DO want some more flutter and wiggle.

Yes, adding a hot colored treble on hardbaits can sometimes help draw some strikes from bass, walleyes and stripers. Bright colors and contrasting colors make the lures more visible and can help trigger a reaction bite on those tough days.

We would love to see your creations…and pics of the results too…as in BIG FISHIES.

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:sunglasses:Hey Lloyd, I appreciate your appreciation. Here is a pic of some of my lead ice spoons with both trebles and dressed single hooks. As I mentioned, I might switch back and forth until I find the right combo on any given day.

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Thanks Pat!
I am a great fan of your “Perch Urchin.” I made my originals by buying the keel sinkers and pounding them flat like you used to do. When you found a mold to make the spoons, I followed your example. Now that I see how the dressed hooks should look, I will make some of them. Eventually I will get my creations to look something like yours. Even though mine do not measure up to yours, I can testify that those spoons really work at Deer Creek!

Lloyd

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First off, those look great, and I’m impressed with the photography too. Looks like you’ve got it down.

I’m curious about what specific brand of hooks you like. I’ve had the hooks on some lures practically straightened out by big fish, and I hate it when that happens! I want to replace them all with something stronger, preferably not thick heavy hooks but just a higher quality alloy, tougher to bend, even if they cost a lot more. Maybe stainless steel, or whatever.

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:sunglasses:Thanks, Mister. Glad you approve. You make some good “points” on trebles. While some lures come with high quality hooks and split rings, others should be replaced before you ever put the lure in the water. Like yourself, I have had some PREVENTABLE misfortunes by not making sure the hardware would hold up to the type of fishing I was doing.

**Like all fishermen, I have my own opinions about which hooks are best. I have been making and “tuning up” lures for many years, and I think I have tried just about everything at least once. **

**Again, like most anglers, I would like to be able to afford to have Gamakatsu trebles on all my lures. They are the quality standard of the industry. They are made of quality steel and they are one of the few hooks that come out of the package sharp enough to use without working them over with a sharpener. You can find them in many sizes and styles…including some already “dressed” with feathers. **

That being said, I usually do not buy Gamakatsus. I get good service from the mostly Eagle Claw, Mustad and VMC hooks I use most, and at a far lower price. I have several plastic boxes with assorted trebles, in different sizes, strengths and materials (bronze and nickle). For a good source for almost any kind of treble, go to BARLOW’S TACKLE . They have pics and descriptions of all of the hooks I will mention below.

**For most lures, in small to medium sizes, I use either the bronze VMC 9449 BZ, the nickle version (9649 N), or Eagle Claw 374 (bronze) or 375 (nickle). Most of the dressed trebles in the pics are Eagle Claw 375. **

Actually, those Eagle Claw hooks are rated as 2X strong, so I also use them up to the 1/0 size for stripers and salt water too. Never had one break or bend, but I do not use “hawser cable” line, and if I hook a “terminal” snag, my line will break before the hook will bend. At least I have never had a big fish bend or break one of them.

It may be purely a personal preference or cosmetic thing, but I like the curved (beak) points on the Eagle Claw trebles too. Once you get a good “working” point on the hooks, they bite in easy and hold well. They also put holes in my fingers when I am trying to dress them up with hair or feathers.

Mustad has a good line of “workhorse” trebles too. They are inexpensive and are often the hooks that come standard on the lures we buy. Cheaper models usually bend more easily, and should be tested before you throw them at fish. But, for “average” fishing conditions, and for fish that are not likely to damage your gear, you can leave them on if you like.

Like most manufacturers, Mustad does make stronger hooks…2X strong. Sportsmans sells those I think. They are in the same price range as Eagle Claws, so it is a matter of personal choice.

VMC trebles have a slightly shorter hook shank than the Eagle Claws. They are lighter wire and the hooks are usually pretty sharp, right out of the package. They are a good choice for many lures and they are also competitive with Eagle Claws and Mustads in price, for similar size and finish.

How much should you pay for trebles? I have always gone by the expression “It is better to pay a little more than you wanted to…than not quite enough.” Hooks are the final connection between you and a fish. They are equally important to maintaining good quality fresh line on your reel.

The good news is that decent hooks are not THAT expensive. Sure, Gamakatsu trebles will run from about 50 cents to almost $1.50 each…and they are often worth the extra expense. However, if you make and use a lot of lures, and want the most bang for the buck, most of the other models mentioned will cost under 20 cents apiece…depending on how you buy them.

I probably use more of the Eagle Claw 375 (nickle) than any other trebles. I buy them in packs of 50 hooks, usually for under $8.50 per pack. That works out to about 17 cents apiece. They are 2X strong, but have decent points that only require a little touch with the hone before fishing. Since I fish a lot of lures in whites and silvers, the nickle hooks add flash. But, for ice spoons, blade baits and many spinners, I will use the bronze models…expecially if I am covering the hooks with “dressing” and/or bait.

And, don’t forget to use good split rings.

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Thanks TubeDude, I knew you’d have the answers. All that makes sense. I’ll need to buy an assortment of sizes , so I wouldn’t want to spend a whole lot of money for each size or it could get very expensive. I’ll read your post again, then make a trip to Sportsman’s (can’t wait for Cabela’s - - it’s just up the road from me!)

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TubeDude,
When I dress trebles I put little pieces if an old rubber worm on the top two hooks and I get “bit” less. The bobbin is a bit more challenging to wind sometimes but its worth it not to have blood spots on white materials.

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:sunglasses:Good suggestion. I have also used little plastic tubes and even small pieces of foam. Like you say, it creates more obstacles to work around with the tools, but it does save pain and blood loss.