Single Hooks vs Treble Hooks

[markedman1132]

How many of you replace their treble hooks with single hooks on spoons, spinnerbaits and crankbaits? I'm considering this for some or all of much ultralight lures.

I've read (and it makes sense) that your hookup rates may go down some, but your snag rate will also go down. You lose more fish but lose less lures. I would like to know others thoughts and their feedback.

If you replace the trebles with single hooks on crankbaits, do you have both single hooks facing the rear or do you have the front hook facing towards the front and the back hook facing towards the rear?

Lastly, which replacement single hooks are you using? I see finesse-fishing.com has Cultiva and Daiwa. Anybody using anything else?

[GrumpyLoomis]

Fished pro BASS tourneys for over ten years with no lure sponsor but I would not risk a fish over a crank. What you said about missed fish on singles will go up. But for searching for fish and rec fishing we used many single hooks and even bent then down the hook point or cut it off so we got strikes and no hook ups as to not spook them to bad. But with crappie I have no idea as I am usually using single hooks, brush and trebles are a bad combo.

[BobC]

I like the single hooks because I believe they do less damage to the fish, and I don’t mind losing a few fish over it. I usually convert mine with the front hook (if I replace it at all) facing forward, and the back facing up. Yes, finesse fishing has a selection of nice offset vertical eye hooks for just that job.
Bob

[moonrunner]

Just saw this post today. I switched over all ultralite gear I have last month.
Cultiva S55 #6 Crankbait, Jerkbait, Topwater & any other type of lure.
Cultiva S21 #8 spoons & spinners -added split ring even if did not have before (personal preference) hooks swing more freely with the split rings.
Gamakatsu open eye siwash #10 spoons & spinners -also used on rooster tails without a split ring(easier to do with skirts) Also can be used on plugs with or without split rings. With as long as you add a extra split ring so hook aligns properly.(hook swings more freely with split rings) As I stated on the panfish forum, I used Finesse-Fishing.com and FishUSA. Both great companies to deal with!

On lures with 2 hooks, I removed front treble and just replaced the rear, because I am targeting sunfish, which normally hit from behind. If using both, some put front hook pointing forward for fish hitting from the front. Some point both to rear (maybe to avoid snags better). Rear hook always point towards rear.

As I said, just changed over last month so I won't comment on results of hookups or losses. These are better quality hooks than what you are removing in most cases so I would think losses would be reduced. Did for the health of fish released and ease of removal. With the use of correct tools, its a pretty easy fix. If I can be of any other help let me know.