Rapalas For Trout

[flyrod4steelhead]

I have been using rapalas for trout for the past couple years. I am just curious if you pinch the barbs down, or cut some of the hooks off? I have talked to a few people that do this and was just wondering who does this.

The only thing that I can see with cutting a couple of the hooks off, is that you (might) get less hook ups. On the plus side, it won't take nearly as long to get the fish un hook'd and back in the water if you are playing C&R.

Just a little curious as we are heading to the cabin this weekend for the opener of trout season. Good luck to all if you are planning to hit the water for the trout opener

[Flydaddy]

Persoanlly I would at least pinch the barbs down...Nothing worse then trying to pull 4 hooks out of a fish your trying to release..Pull one out, then two more are stuck in it's back..makes a mess, takes time...Nice to see the fish back in the water ASAP..after the picture of course. Have a great time.

FD

[Rainbow Seeker]

Definitly smash barbs down and nothing wrong with changing out those trebles for single hooks at each end. This will greatly help if C&R fishing.

I have watched way too many fish get those extra hooks in eyes, not good.

[speyday]

yeah, the singles is a hump that took me awhile to get past, but I do it on my plugs and on my spinners. On a side note, with a single hook, my spinners hardly ever turn in the current, and I don't use a swivel anymore and have almost no line twist after fishing them all day. The hook seems to behave like a keel, and keeps it upright, even with the blade spinning full speed.

My lures also snag up a LOT less (about 66% less to be exact!!) and when they do snag, they pull out a lot easier.

[mondrella]

I did have a few with the barbs smashed down. I did it for a private pond I fished.
Most of the time I don't. A good pair of hemostats or pliers you can pop hooks out fairly easy. The big thing is having them handy when needed.

Dale I plan on fishing somewhere opening day. Where I don't know. I was hoping to float somewhere but I have no one to spot with right now. I have this one river in mind that I think should be very very good for the opener if water conditions remain the same.

[flyrod4steelhead]

Steve,

Yeah I am fishing the opener as well. My dad might be going to the cabin with us, but he doesn't have anything to float with. He is supossed to let me know for sure sometime this week if he is going or not. If he can't, I will let you know what is going on, then we can go from there.




Thanks everyone

[mondrella]

Sounds good!