[Celticav]

I get asked alot what I use to secure trailer hooks to spinner and buzz baits. For buzz baits I take a single hole paper punch and cut a peice outta an old sixpack ring. I put the trailer on the hook and then the plastic disc I cut out of the ring letting the hook dangle free. For spinnerbaits I don't believe in trailer hooks, and before I get bombarded let me explain why. I bass fish, the bass engulfs his food and if he doesn't then he is more curious about it that hungry, giving it a feel and not a bite. Buzzers are different because they are often just trying to kill the annoyance or run it off and not eat it. I know many fisherman that believe in short strikes, I am just not one of them, not with the bass that is. To me a short strike is either the fish missing the bait or just checking it out and if the bait is made right and running true then that looksee he gets will get him stuck on my hook. I know that many spinnerbait bass will be caught with the trailer, but thats not to say he wouldn't have been caught without it either. I do use a trailer if I want to add a plastic trailer to it and give the bait a longer profile, but thats about it.

[alsworms]

Hey Jim,
We might be part of a rare breed, but I completely agree with you. I have never liked a trailer hook on a spinnerbait, and I too fish a lot of blades (when I'm not using plastics ). I just prefer the action with the single hook. Like you said, if they run true, you won't miss many fish anyway. I watched the show "One More Cast" with Shaw Grigsby a couple weeks ago, and he had his Strike King Rep. buddy on there showing us folks at home how to rig a trailer hook. The first thing I thought was "these guys are fishin' private ponds loaded with 5 and 6 pound hungry bass, and they need a dang trailer hook" : :

[Celticav]

Yeah!

[Mercury]

I dont know if any of you have dont this, But I have also used a stinger hook with tube baits. That has also increased my success at times with tubes.
Notmaly its the 3 1/2" tube that I did this to.

[woodsac]

I rarely use trailers, but when I do, I use a piece of a tore up senko to hold the hook in place. I just cut about 1/4 inch chunk off the worm, put the hook on and place the worm chunk above the trailer hook. It lets the hook move freely and you have the added salt and attractant you can add to the worm.

[Skeeter]

I only use trailer hooks if I'm fishing for money and getting short struck. I really don't like trailer hooks because if the the fish really slams the bait then alot of times he is gut hooked. I know how to free gut hooked fish, but sometimes you just can't. This stuff about hooks eventually rusting out if you leave it in the fish is crap. Yeah the hook will someday rust out, but it takes alot longer than the 2 or 3 weeks alot of articles suggest.
Skeeter

[PaBasser]

I agree with you Celt. I only use a trailer hook on buzz baits, and not very often. Iv`e seen some fisherman use up to three or four trailer hooks on one spinnerbait. It really makes the bait run untrue and unreallistic looking.
PaBasser

[basskat]

I use a trailer hook on a buzzbait about 90% of the time. The best thing I've found to keep it on is a skirt collar. It's small, compact and doesn't come off. There pretty inexpensive, I buy them buy the thousand anyway. Later........kat :P

[JHB]

I also agree, no trailer hooks on a spinnerbait, if they want it, you got em. Never had any trouble (I think its cause we build our own they cant resist) I never use a trailer hook on a buzzbait either.

[southstatesfishin]

WOW, never thought I would find so many folks in one spot that agree with me on this!!!!!!! I want to get one thing straight , it is my feeling that you may need a trailer hook if your using some run of the mill spinnerbait and I wont mention names[I may use them as sponsers,lol] but when you use a hand made bait [ and I use celticavs] you darn sure should not, unless your just starting out! That brings me to when I may use one , 1. open water schooling fish, 2. high speed burning retrieve, and when fishing buzzbaits. The most important thing to me is being able to throw a spinner bait into cover, and a trailer hook is out! I fish spinnerbaits for fish that are tight to cover or feeding off the bottom around scatterd cover. As Celticav knows I'll drag a spinnerbait through some stuff that most people wouldnt and a trailer hook is a no no. My favorite technique is slow rollin and I mean slow, real slow. If its there my baits going in it [boy am I glad I know where to get more]. Some people fish these baits in differnt ways then I do and thats what works for them and is fine. Everyone needs to have there own style anyway, but for me I'll keep the trailer hooks in my tackle bag. DANO