Take a look at the fishing plugs in any tackle shop, and you will notice that most of them have something in common. They are rigged from the factory with treble hooks. There's no doubt that treble hooks increase the likelihood of hooking a fish that strikes a plug. Single hooks, however, do have their place, and anglers can use them when fishing these lures.
Lure Action
Because treble hooks are symmetrical, they are more balanced than single hooks. This balance allows plugs to move through the water more easily. Single hooks lack this symmetry, and may throw off the balance of these lures, particularly smaller plugs, adversely affecting their action and movement.
Catching
Plugs with treble hooks are better for anglers who intend to keep what they catch. Logically, the more hooks that the fish may bite down on, the better the odds the fish will become hooked. With multiple points embedded in its mouth, a fish is far less likely to throw a hook and escape. Also, because most plugs have more than one hook attached, treble hooks improve the chances of catching a fish, regardless of where or how the fish strikes the lure. One advantage to a single hook for catching fish is that the single point often drives deeper and more securely than multiple points.
Risks
The embedding of multiple, barbed points of treble hooks into the flesh of the fish can make it much more difficult to remove the hooks without injuring the fish beyond its ability to survive. Also, the longer it takes to remove a hook, the more likely the fish will die from a lack of oxygen. The Sea Grant of Rhode Island recommends a single hook when you practice catch and release. Using a pair of pliers or a hook remover, a single hook is easier and takes less time to remove than a treble hook. This increases the likelihood the angler can release the fish unharmed, greatly improving its chances for survival.
Fishing Conditions
In particularly "snaggy" areas, plugs with treble hooks are more likely to get hung up. This can make fishing places, such as brush piles or weed beds, far more difficult than with a single hook. Single hooks greatly reduce the likelihood of a plug snagging, thereby preventing the loss of perhaps a favorite or expensive lure.
Replacement
Plugs are designed with eyelets and split rings that hold the hooks. According to Take Me Fishing, an angler can replace one type of hook with another using a pair of split ring pliers to first open the ring and work the hook's eyelet off the ring. Then, the angler can insert the new hook onto the split ring. It is important to ensure that the hook is completely past the split in the ring to prevent the hook from coming loose.
Member Comments