Single hooks for Rapalas

[Doskil]

I'd like to add some single hooks to ultralight Rapala lures for use in single hook streams and lakes.

Reccomend a hook type and size to use? These would be put on small Rapala minnows and shad baits.

They come with size 10 trebles

Thanks

 

[WTM]

i use a 210 or salmon egg hooks in size 6 for bluegill and crappie. they work well for 1/12 oz casting spoons as well.

 

[Safari Hunt]

Just duplicate the size on the Rapala.

 

[Doskil]

Thanks much

Didn't want to put on hooks that negatively affect the action

 

[Safari Hunt]

Thanks much

Didn't want to put on hooks that negatively affect the action

Shouldn't affect the action with a single hook in place of the treble hooks. Done it myself on crankbaits and inline spinner baits as Mepps. Just make sure you put the gape toward the front of the bait.

 

[Pilchard]

I always used the mustad kaiju inline single hook but it appears they only make them down to a size 2 which may be too large.

Owner appears to make one that would be available in smaller sizes. Owner 4101-051

 

[Pilchard]

Edit, I have some of the owners. I'll post a picture in a bit to help you compare size. You can't replace a size 10 treble with a size 10 single, you need to come up in size.

 

[WTM]

thats a 210 also called a siwash hook, not 202. it has a wider gap than a regular hook. i use so much baits and mods i cant keep up lol. i had to dump some of my boxes to find my hook box but thats fine i had to check my battries anyhoo.

this is a #6 salmon egg vs #8 short shank baitholder for reference. you probably could use a #8 210 or salmon egg hook and be good, depending on what you are targeting. i tend to go on the larger size for bluegill and crappie. good hook ups for crappie and keeps from gut hooking bluegill.

 

[WTM]

this is the 210 i was talking about, much preferred if you can find them.

https://www.eagleclaw.com/210n-siwash-hook

 

[Pilchard]

Here is what you want. Notice the orientation of the eye?

 

[WTM]

take the split rings off and open the hook eye up and slip it on the bait ring. then crimp the eye back down. easy peezy. fyi i orient both hooks up and sometimes on ise a single on the back. cast a micro crank or micro jerk in mustard weeds or grass it keeps from getting hung. i dont fish them like a regular crank bait, its more of a slow retrieve, and moving the rod tip about 6" and letting it fall.

its a killer technique for prespawn crappie and bluegill.

 

[Doskil]

Edit, I have some of the owners. I'll post a picture in a bit to help you compare size. You can't replace a size 10 treble with a size 10 single, you need to come up in size.

So a size 8?

 

[Doskil]

This would mostly be for trout

 

[TN Song Dog]

I've always said you can trust a man with a custom tarpon wedding ring.

 

[Pilchard]

So a size 8?

The info I have shows a size 6 as the smallest that they make but my material is 4+yrs old and is specific to saltwater.

To me, the hook size is less important than the weight. The jerk baits are designed for a set of hooks that weigh a certain amount. Adding or reducing weight will change the action and/or depth of the bait. Compare this to the weight of your size 10 treble and try to match.

 

[Pilchard]

I've always said you can trust a man with a custom tarpon wedding ring.

Ha! I had to choose four fish for the ring. It's got a permit, snook and two tarpon.

 

[Pilchard]

Agreed with WTM that a single hook on the back is fine and the belly hook isn't as important. If I was fishing for something I wanted to keep though I would use both hooks.

 

[scn]

I'm pretty sure you could get by in cutting the bend/barb on all of the trebles except one hook and be in compliance.

At least you would have been with me.

 

[WTM]

since you said trout, id put both hooks on like in Pilchards pic. mainly because that much meat is going to attract some larger fish and larger predator fish will usually strike the head first.

you normally size a single hook off the width of two hooks on a treble. a #6 siwash is about the same width as a #10 treble.

cutting off the two hooks like SCN might work for trout. when i started using micro cranks for panfish i did the same but the first bluegill i caught was gut hooked. it sucked the whole 2" plug down to the bill. it was an even bigger mess using the trebles that came with them.

have a couple sizes and try them and go with the one that gives you the most hook ups.

 

[Doskil]

I ordered some from here:

https://www.finesse-fishing.com/replacement-barbless-hooks.html

 

[RoyalPrudent]

The info I have shows a size 6 as the smallest that they make but my material is 4+yrs old and is specific to saltwater.

To me, the hook size is less important than the weight. The jerk baits are designed for a set of hooks that weigh a certain amount. Adding or reducing weight will change the action and/or depth of the bait. Compare this to the weight of your size 10 treble and try to match.

View attachment 68303

This setup wouldn't be legal for a stream with Single hook artificial...

 

[Pilchard]

This setup wouldn't be legal for a stream with Single hook artificial...

Interesting. I'm not a regs expert by any means. But if what you say is true, I'd only replace the back hook and leave the hook underneath off

 

[RoyalPrudent]

Interesting. I'm not a regs expert by any means. But if what you say is true, I'd only replace the back hook and leave the hook underneath off

That's what would be required. Although, I have seen a different rig i'm a big fan of. The guy put a long shank hook on the front of a long 3 treble rapala. The hook came down to about 3/4 of the body. the then wrapped it with thread against the plug and lacquered into place. Was a very effective trick.

 

[WTM]

after taking a look at the trout regs it may be illegal to use plugs:

Use or possession of bait is prohibited. Use or possession of any artificial lures other than single hook artificial flies, spinners, and spoons is prohibited. The use of one dropper fly having a single hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length of line is permissible

 

[RoyalPrudent]

after taking a look at the trout regs it may be illegal to use plugs:

Use or possession of bait is prohibited. Use or possession of any artificial lures other than single hook artificial flies, spinners, and spoons is prohibited. The use of one dropper fly having a single hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length of line is permissible

I've been checked in the park with a single hook rapala and had no problems.

 

[Doskil]

But the Park is not regulated by the TWRA or other state agencies.

In North Carolina single hook streams you can use plugs as long as they have no scent to them