Trailer Hook, also called a stinger hook when used with a soft swimbaits or a soft jerkbait, is an additional hook added to a lure.
Why are Trailer Hooks Important?
Trailer hooks are important to:
Address Short Strikes: Some suggest that when bass are short striking the lure (missing the lure) it is best to add a trailer hook.
Add Hooks: Some suggest adding a trailer hook to the middle of some horizontal presentation lures will help increase catch rates.
Trailer Hook - Stringer Hook Options
Single Hook: Some suggest a Siwash or Aberdeem hook as they have a straight shank hook which is required.
Securing the Trailer Hook:
Tubing after Trailer Hook: After putting a single trailer hook on a single main hook slide on a piece of tubing on the main hook to secure it. This approach allows the hook to swing freely which may result in more snags but some believe for landing the bass as the hook freely moving reduces the chance of the bass throwing the lure. Also, some believe this approach is best if fish come up from lower in the water column. or
Rubber Over Trailer Eye: [Figure 1] Some suggest placing a rubber tubing on the eye of the trailer hook prior to adding it to the main hook. This will keep the trailer hook more firmly fixed to the main hook which can be better if fishing around cover. Some believe this approach doesn’t look natural in the retrieve especially because the cast and hitting the water could move the hook to the side.
Hook Up or Down Direction: Generally it is recommended the trailer hook goes in the same direction as the main hook.
Treble Hook: Treble hook trailer hooks, typically called a stinger hook, are embedded into the appropriate soft bait lure with one of the barbs embedded into the soft plastic leaving the other two hooks exposed.
Line Attached: Generally, when securing the stinger hook with line, using a short length of braid with a double palomar knot to the hook being attached to the hook on the lure. Some suggest using a small ziptie to secure the trailer hook to the main hook.
Middle of Lure: For soft swimbaits and similar lures the stinger hook, a treble hook, is generally either above or below in the middle of the lure. Some suggest the location is based on fishing above or below the bass.
Front of Lure: Not common, but a trailer hook can be at the front of the lure, for example on a Flutter Spoon.
Underspin Blade: Some suggest that when using soft swimbait hooks with an underspin blade adding a small hook to the blade swivel so the bass that hits the blade will get caught with the trailer hook. Check the hook size and position to minimize the impact on the blade.
Trailer Hook Size: Some suggest going smaller than the main hook as they don’t think the hook needs to be too long.
No Consensus: Some believe that use of a trailer hook isn’t necessary as the only reason the trailer hook catches fish is that it interferes with the bass getting to the main lure. They believe the catch rate is the same. Others believe that since they catch fish with the trailer hook that they would have missed that fish without the trailer hook.
Fishing Fast: Some believe that when fishing a lure fast it is better to use a trailer hook as the fish could miss the main lure hook.
Snagged: Stringer hooks get caught on cover and even in the net.
Large Fish Risk: Some suggest that adding a stringer does create another point of potential failure if you are landing a large bass.
Harm Fish: Some suggest that a stringer hook has a higher chance of doing damage to the fish, especially when treble hooks are used.
