Inline Fishing Hook Review and Evaluation

[@bobsmoot2392]

It took some courage to show this video. You have aways been a good and honest teacher. Thank you, sir.

[@AhnkoCheeOutdoors]

Aloha John, I do not like treble hooks so what I do here in Hawai'i is remove both hook and split ring and attach a stainless steel double hook directly onto the lure eye. I like to use both Mustad, and Yamashita double hooks. I don't used single hooks on my topwater lures but for my floating minnow swim bait (Yozuri Cyrstal Minnow, Rapala CD Magnum, Bomber Long-A, etc.) that I use for canoe trolling I have had good success using open eye stainless steel Siwash hooks attached directly to the lure eye. Siwash hooks are a lighter gauge so no problem closing the eye completely. I am not a fan of split rings and would prefer to eliminate them from a lure when practical. Mahalo nui for another great informative video. PS. My dad was a New England Yankee who settled here after WWII. One day I would like to visit his old stomping (fishing) grounds off the coast of Massachusetts, and New Hampshire to fish for Cod, Bass, Bluefish.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for sharing that. We rarely see double hooks here, as in I don't think I've ever seen them used. I think someone sent me a couple so I might try them out of curiosity.

[@timkelly633]

I'd like to see what happened if you didn't pump the rod so much when playing the fish. I imagine that might be part of the problem and more steady pressure might help keep the hook in. Also, generally you need to up size a single hook quite a lot over a treble to get a similar hooking ability, so maybe larger hooks are needed? Great informative film though, keep up the great work.

[@raulayala1296]

Tim Kelly very true, too much pumping action plus he’s lifting the rod to what it looks like to be more than a 90 degree angle when the fish could be landed with steady no pump wind, he would have at least caught 4/5 fish like that to say the least but still good video

[@codymilner6890]

And no hook set what so ever. With single hooks you gotta set em like a jig

[@Joseph-be7ws]

Agreed!! i was super surprised because ive always admired skinners skills, but the entire time im watching this video i was thinking to my self what the hell are you doing!? why is he pumping like that. its easy to loose fish when your violently trying to rip he hook out. disappointed in this, and i almost feel like he knows better but was skewing this video to intentionally lean towards making some preconceived point. i fish almost exclusively single inline hooks and I have NEVER had such an issue.

[@philcool168]

What was the hurry, never seen anyone pump a rod so frantically & continously over clean ground.

[@johnnorris1227]

Yeah I have to agree there's no reason to be pumping the rod like that when you have a fish on in IMO that's just asking for problems. Set the hook hard and keep nice even pressure.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've read lots of explanations for the lost fish, and appreciate all of them. Keeping in mind that in 45+ years of fishing that this is the one time I'm losing everything, and the one difference was the hooks I was testing, I'm still concluding the problem was related to the hooks. As for how I fight fish, or the rod action, or the drag setting... this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4rCdIaCfdyenbc was shot the same trip, all single hook, and rarely a dropped fish. As suggested by a comment early on, I think the belly inline ends up flat against the plug, so there's very little bite when a fish does get hooked. I've tested this by grabbing the plug with my hand, and it makes perfect sense. Also, I had a Canadian striper angler who is forced by law to use singles tell me he does fine with these inlines, but has to really upsize to 5/0 and 6/0. Again, if the hook lays against the plug, the larger hook will offer more bite and hold the fish better. The hook size I chose for this test looked right for the plug, and weigh about the same as the replaced trebles and therefore wouldn't hurt the lures action. If I try these hooks again, and I really would like to use them in blitz situations, I'll bump the size up a bit.

[@darinscheideler]

John Skinner Fishing I would agree that it seems to be a leverage issue on the belly hook. I mostly go with a treble on the belly and a single on the tail because of it.

[@adamhfishing]

John did you crush the barbs like you normally do?

[@crowman5936]

I think if you go up in size with your hooks it will cure your problem. I switched to singles over 20 years ago and after 1000's of fish in the salt have not had the problems you've had staying pinned. Keep us informed.

[@daveh2814]

if the fish are initially hooked and are throwing it, the hook is likely too small. the Rapala 09 subwalk, for example, is 3 1/2 inches long and comes pre-rigged with 3/0 VMC's

[@MongoDAoC]

Thanks for doing this experiment for us John. Although the video was frustrating, it will save us time on the water knowing what not to do.

[@dreamfly555]

I have switched all my fresh water jerk baits and lipless crankbaits to single hooks. I found that I need to up size all of them to get a good hookup....e. replace #4 trebles with 2/0 singles, #2 trebles with 3/0 singles.

[@DannyD1199]

On my topwaters I'd snip 1 of the hooks off my treble to make it a double and I didn't notice any difference in the amount of missed/dropped fish. I don't think I'd go to a single, though. Thanks for the video.

[@streamside2478]

I use larger inline hooks on poppers, dog walkers and jerkbaits with great success. I find 3:1 hookups on the belly hook vs the tail hook. I use hooks at least as wide as the width of the treble I’m replacing. That’s important imo. Mustad in-line hooks seem to be the best and I believe it’s because of the larger gap between point and shank and the less rounded shape vs VMC or Owner type inlines. I fish Stripers mostly year round alongside guys using trebles and there is absolutely no discernible difference in hook up or landing rates. The biggest difference is I release a fish in a couple seconds and cast again while my buddies are cussing and trying to dig out the trebles from their fish. Please try larger hooks or at least larger belly hooks and give those Mustads a try.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Great comment. Can you give me any hook size examples for specific plugs? I want to like these hooks.

[@squanman]

Thanks for sharing this John...very surprising results. Nothing worse than catching a fish and having treble hooks buried into them every which way. But it's obvious from this video that single hooks on certain plugs just don't work. Maybe a treble on the belly and a single siwash on the back would do the trick?

[@Peter-zg3em]

i am generally running a rear single on all of my plugs other than pencils. this is a recent change. mostly running a treble up front but i've got a few double singles. crushed everything. hookup rates are not as good, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. it's a blessing to be able to not have to worry about a rear treble at night. it's remarkably simple for the angler to release and it's great for the fish. another function of a single hook is that they're less prone to fouling. trebles can foul high on the head or the side of the fish and give them incredible leverage. it's like they're wearing a harness and it takes us longer to land. particularly with bluefish and schoolies this is more frequently an issue, but if you foul a giant fish you will have your work cut out for you. i will always run trebles on pencils. why? the bulbous end of the pencil almost never ends up in the throat of a fish. they move side to side and the hookset comes naturally within that action, and the plug is 7-8 inches long to begin with. when i run singles i run them very big. bkk 4/0 on wooden spooks, 3/0 on 6" sp, 5/0+ on the doc, etc. 2/3 sizes up from the trebles you might run, probably bigger than you think you need just eyeballing the plug and basing it on treble sizing.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That might be the best comment I've had on this video. Thanks for writing it.

[@Peter-zg3em]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks john. I apply something i've learned from you every day.

[@MrBassturbater]

Coming back to this now, I recommend trying out the Island X Hellfire 180. The singles they have out of the box have no issue pinning bass and blues. I've found in the spring herring runs I fish that they draw far more attention than a typical pencil with its thin profile, and the singles are very sticky

[@WoodisGood82]

John, here is my opinion. You need a longer shank hook on the back split ring only. Plus I would increase the size of the hook by at least 2 sizes. For example, if you had a size 4/0 on there, go to 6/0. Bass and blues have huge mouths. I have a plug that is about six inches long diamond piece of plastic with a hook on the back that is half the size of the plug. Fish are hooked easily and the larger hook allows quick release. I enjoy your videos and appreciate the effort that goes into your videos. I fish just north of you in RI and use some of your techniques.

[@TackleAdvisors]

I've swapped roughly 100 plugs to singles. Pretty much everthing with fixed hook hangers. I've put them on poppers and spooks but not pencils (i don't throw pencils too often if i do they're mostly the shorter afterhours) I've been one of the biggest advocates for singles based on my experience on the message boards. I'll miss a few more fish. But I find when I come tight. They stay pinned. The way they are dropping it looks like what happens when fishing barbless. Just a guess but you may not be getting past the barb. I don't yank and crank as much and tend to play them for a tad longer. And I know you know your stuff. But man That is the opposite of what I've experienced over the past 5 years and a few thousand fish in fresh and salt from Bluefin tuna to brown trout?? For freshwater. I've swapped everything but megabass 110's with perpendicular hangers and some cranks to singles. Never looking back. For a lighter wire substitute for a 5/0 owner try two rings and a gami 510 in a size 4/0. Are those 5/0 vmc's?? I had a massive teensize brown break a size 2...stopped using them after the first pack. Stuck with owner and gami. Got some Mustad Kaiju's for cheap but haven't caught anything over 10lbs to test em.

[@652barry]

I’d video tape one of your outings. Hard to debate with this video.

[@TackleAdvisors]

I don't doubt what is in the vid. Or the fishermen. I have tons of respect for John Skinner. And his abilities. But over the years if they cost me fish..i'd flat out not use them. Is it a your mileage may vary type thing?? I don't know. But if i recorded an outing and went 10 for 10....what would that prove? Skinner still lost his fish. The only thing i can think of is how slow the taper is past the point. He's just not sticking past the barb. Once the barb is set there is no escaping. I never used the big vmc's only the owners and recently the kaijus. Little stripers don't clamp down and go for a ride on wood that long without hitting the hook....so they are getting it. It just seems penetration is the issue.

[@ChuckCooper]

Bummer, I never catch stripers anyway but I was hoping the singles would work. Thanks for all your great info and the fabulous clips.

[@robertsendlein5245]

John, I've had slightly better limited(do to lack of willing subjects) results. First two fish hooked on a SS bottle with the in-line singles were landed in the surf and have dropped a fish after initial take. Like you I have no doubt the trebles will hook and snag more fish but being primarily a catch and release fishery for bass, you have to wonder how many of the fish survive after removing a treble with usually two hooks in the mouth and a treble from the head or gill plate and the time out of water unhooking. I'm interested in what you have experienced in the amount of bass you hook are on the belly/front hook compared with the tail hook and why? Are they hitting from the front or side or is it that they swallow the plug whole from the rear? If I find the single's aren't working, I was thinking of trying a single treble on the belly and tail flag to at least prevent foul hooking the body.

[@thereelraconteur7801]

I'm so glad you did this video John. So I am a big fan and am often guilty of a monkey see, monkey do thing when it comes to your gear. I generally fish the same spots and target the same species as you (we are Long Island anglers after all) and so I take your suggestions very seriously and appreciate them greatly. I have all your books too. That said... I have been using the Tsunami Talkin' poppers for about as long as you have been promoting them and I have to admit they are not my favorites. Now I am not the proficient Popper worker that you are, admittedly, but I find that with those plugs (every size and iteration) I TOO OFTEN foul that belly treble around the leader while working it. I figured that's a me problem since it doesn't seem to happen to you often. But with other poppers (Cordell, Smackits, Gibbs, etc.) I don't have that issue. I actually prefer the Smackits out of the whole bunch. True they don't cast as well as the XDs, but the loud rattle and action seems to up my hookup ratio in any given situation. Also... I tried the single siwash hook replacement thing for the first time last December during a pretty awesome blitz down in Jersey. I had the same results as you did in this video. That's on poppers and a Redfin and an SP Minnow. All single hooks, all lost fish after hooking up (including what would have been, by far, my PB Bluefish). It's a real conundrum because I am a big proponent of humane C&R practices. I really thought the single hooks would be great. But at this point I have switched back to trebles on all but a few lures that I use exclusively when fishing blitzing Bluefish. Anyway, it's reassuring to find out that you have had a similar experience with some of these lures and modifications. Keep up the awesome angling and thanks for doing what you do.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I appreciate hearing of your experience with the Siwash. Like I said in the video, I really wanted this to work, but the results were what they were. I find the Talkin Poppers to be awesome, especially the XDs. I've had no problem catching the leader the way I work them like a pencil when I use trebles.

[@thereelraconteur7801]

John Skinner Fishing I know. That's because you are the Man though. Lol... I'm sure I have a lot to learn about working a Popper in a more proficient manner. Perhaps the other poppers I mentioned are just more forgiving to a less experienced angler.

[@lb7325]

Great video John. I was just discussing this last night. Keep up the search for the answer. Others have suggested levering which may be correct. Maybe try the scientific method: reduce to just one hook (belly or tail) then try both types and see if there is a difference. Fairly new at this but hate to throw back fish with mangled mouths.

[@tlaroux]

What I do on surface poppers is put on inline on the tail so as not to tear up the gullet and make it easier to remove but still keep a treble on the bottom eye as the fish generally blow up on the popper and stay hooked with the treble. For a subsurface lure like to SP Minnow inline hooks make more sense as the fish swallow the lure vice thrash at it.

[@captbrianwilliams]

John i had very similar results with smaller topwaters in the backbay with blues in a similar kind of blitz that you were fishing and saw a very small hookup ratio as well as some lost fish

[@streetbob101]

I lost a nice one on a popper I had changed over to inline hooks. Fought him for a few and almost like he spit it out. this spring I will see if I get the same results as you did

[@fishermen22]

Mr. Skinner sorry to say but it looks like you’re fighting the fish wrong. Try laying your rod tip down in the water after the hook up. Then fight the fish that way. Use the resistance of the water to keep the hook set. If you fight the fish with the rod tip up in the air, it’s easier for the fish to shake the hook since there is less tension on the line. Please give single hooks another try. I bet you’ll catch more fish. It’s definitely more humane to fish with single hooks. Thanks for the awesome videos! Great Job!

[@geo4256]

I don't fish often and am aware of the issues with hook ups though haven't had any issues. Got a couple of schoolies on a spook but it does change the action a bit. Have to really concentrate on the walking motion. For me it is the reduced damage on the fish. I release most of what I catch on lures and always hated the second treble burying itself in the cheek of the fish. I'm, moving more to soft plastics this year but will still always toss a topwater with inline hooks to start a morning session. Love the blowups!!

[@tolpacourt]

On a popper you want a treble on the belly and a single on the tail.

[@Zeketon]

Mr.Skinner I use single hooks on my lures and I always just keep reeling in without pumping them in and I have a good ratio of catching them doing that action and with just enough drag but not enough for them to turn, maybe you can give it a try and see if it works you, like videos they very instructive. Tight lines👍

[@DanEvan]

Why.

[@bobsmoot2392]

I switched my lures out for single hooks too. Larger hooks are necessary. My hook/land ratio is pretty good. Releasing it way better.

[@infish3]

I would try putting on two split rings per hook.They the fish would have no leverage against the lure. Check it out let me know how well it works out. -Tony

[@CookingandFishing]

Maybe use a faster action rod? It seems like you're setting the hook as if you're hanging trebles, but you have 2 pretty thick gauge singles on instead.

[@Maineriverandtide]

^

[@redragon911PR]

Have u try and keep the rod tip a little more low when u reeling them in. I have use the new xrap with the single hooks and have no problem. There are vids on fishing with lawson KZbin , he uses top water with single hooks and same no problem

[@lukefeeney9596]

Hey John, I plug for stripers a lot here in the sheepshead bay and rockaway Jamaica bay areas and I have found that the ideal plug set up for me is a smack it plug (I like the bright green and silver) and I take all the hooks and split rings off because the original hardware on a smack it isn’t very good and I replace it with super strong Owner split rings and on the back I put a 5/0 or 6/0 VMC in-line single hook needle point and on the belly I put a 4/0 or 5/0 VMC 4x strong treble hook and I find it works great I highly recommend you give it a try to see how it works

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for all of that detail Luke. After my experience with trying the inline belly hook, and a bunch of feedback, I think the treble is definitely right on the belly. BTW, if you have any problem with hooks getting straightened, the 6X strong VMCs could tow a truck and they hold fish extremely well.

[@lukefeeney9596]

John Skinner Fishing it’s pretty funny I’ve seen it myself how the belly in-line really does nothing that will hook a fish sometimes when me and my dad go he likes the belly in-line and he misses hit after hit and drops many fish while I just fish with one treble on the belly and an in-line on the back and I hook every fish that hits the plug. Only reason I use one in-line is because I have gotten many trebles in my hands and I just want to minimize that.

[@riflemanjim]

I replaced the treble hook on my hogy epoxy eel and it works well. Im planning on changing thr rear hook to a single on my larger lures and leaving the front treble hook in place.

[@vsonic86]

I have done this myself. And I'm surprise John also makes a video about it as well. It is so much frustrate to see fish strikes like 2-3 times and miss the lure. It also suck to catch the fish and still loose it with single hook. I don't know what is about the Tremble hook but it works so well in my opinion. No offense to anyone that loves a single hook thing and so anti-tremble hook. But just one tremble hook and forget the tail hook. It works so well.

[@cslsjc2011]

I don't know if this is already told by someone but I prefer singles in surface lures all the way, I caught 35 + pound roosterfish and never failed on me, trebles can be opened up by this hard fighting fish, the way i rig it its splitring - swivel - splitring - hook, I use mustad, hardly lose fish. Also helps on the gt ice cream lures because Spanish mackerel can cut of the assist hooks easily

[@anthony0803]

One thing might make an interesting comparison. Since you commented and so have others that the inline line lays flat against the lure reducing area of bite. What if you tried regular short shank single hooks not inline? Might keep the hooks away from the body enough and actually work better than the unlined?

[@toddlester9843]

Yeah I dunno man, ive made the switch to singles and I dont lose nearly that many.... looks like you need to keep less slack in the line as you are pumping... they are seeing the shoreline and freaking out. Try to tire them more prior to getting close to the sand perhaps? You kept the barbs on right? Looks like a great spot!!! Cheers!!

[@johnschaub7810]

been using these on the tail of sp minnows and poppers for years. great for the blues.

[@kweeks10045]

Treble hooks allow a fish to gain leverage. Also, single hooks normally have a wider mouth and larger wire. It's imperative to use a stiffer rod and really set the hook. You have to pull a much thicker hook through bone or cartilage and it will require a real hookset

[@1539Mickey]

Great video. Thanks for the information. Your videos always have good info to help us fish better. I don't care for videos that just show people fishing and don't have any technical info. We always learn something from you videos. Thanks, Mickey

[@DonGrigorianFishing]

I’ve been fishing for 35 years and I’m only 29 years old and I always use Treble hooks

[@saltystripesfishing2980]

I dont think the math adds up there chief.....

[@mikeschultz6383]

The Rc Master6042 lmfao

[@thesestinifamily4656]

Wha

[@brendanwoerner3352]

Stop drinking before you post my friend

[@thomasmcgee3286]

I have no problems with single hooks on sp minnows for bluefish.

[@HWW147]

John I have gone to a hook say it has a size 4/0 trebble I will use a 6/0 single because fishing the rocks on inNSW Australian I dont loose luirs to the rocks but my hook up stayed on love your videos your Blue Fish are like out Taylor here in Australia

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Hey it's the same fish! I just looked it up, saw the picture, and the scientific name is the same! How big do yours run?

[@HWW147]

John Skinner Fishing the average on the east coast of NSW Would be 1.5to2kg thats what makes your blue fish huge and the quantity and quality so JELOUS of your fish :-) thanks for responding I enjoy your videos

[@dannydnice1]

I put singles on my sp minnows and they hook up lovely. I been in the same situation with my pencil poppers. Lost some caught some

[@stephenkrambeck6589]

When I’m throwing tins and epoxys off the rocks I like to use single hooks only when there’s a lot of fish around because while the hooks up ratios are worse, once they’re hooked they rarely come off, which happens a lot with trebles when lifting fish onto a tall jetty. But when there’s a slow bite I use trebles to make every hit count.

[@anthonymeadows206]

Your results were what they were, but I don't understand what was going on. I have been using inline singles for about 5 years. I would say that hook up ratio is slightly lower with the inline singles versus trebles, but my landing rate is so much higher. The fish are usually very solidly hooked and so much easier to release.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Are you using them on surface plugs?

[@anthonymeadows206]

Yes sir. I am fishing in NW FL for seatrout, redfish, etc. I fish with Super Spooks full size and jr. when I am fishing topwater. I have tried a lot of different brands, but right now I am using VMC 7237's, 2/0 seem about perfect, which I am very pleased with. However, they might not be enough to deal with the bigger fish you are targeting. So just to be clear, I am not suggesting that you weren't doing something right. When you got hooked up, I thought great that is a landed fish. Your experience in the video was totally the opposite of what I have experienced.

[@meatticus992]

Maybe try testing a single treble hook on the tail end?

[@EliteBassStickFishing]

1 of the best at it!!!💯💪👊LET'S GO!!! Stay on top

[@ChiefToad]

Some guys have more luck flipping the tail hook so it faces down. Also hook setting might be an issue, considering it is a larger hook with a lighter rod. But those owners are sharp and thin so.../// I use singles almost exclusively and haven't had problems like this. Using poppers, stickbaits, jerkbaits, spoons and jigs. All sorts of species.(But to be honest, not much on stripers) Fresh and salt. If the singles aren't properly sized to the lure, you will get what I saw a couple times where the hook will swing up and lodge itself into the lure body. Did you try with any other plugs?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The hookset should have been fine. That rod can bury a hook, and the hooks were very sharp. As for tail up or down, jig hooks are up, and nothing holds better. One of the things that surprised me was how far into the fight the fish came undone.

[@ChiefToad]

Wasn't implying the holding power after hook up about the hook position. Just about initial missed strikes. Lots of people only use a single on the tail. Some faced down. I haven't ever use those tsunami poppers. I would have really liked to see how those fish came off after the initial strike. For me personally, if I happen to lose some fish because of the singles, it is a good trade off for the reduced risk of hooking myself, and hurting the fish. Since I release most.

[@adamhfishing]

I just bought several Williamson poppers that come stock with those. I will see be putting vmc trebles on the front hooks and perhaps repurposing those to the rear hooks on some of my other plugs. Another thought is those split 2 hooks that are on the rear of some sebile magic swimmers. Perhaps they would be a best of both worlds?

[@yrocksimpson5842]

Great video John, on an awesome subject. I have had mixed results also, on thin/SP Minnow type plugs with two inlines. Any thought on treble in front and just the inline on rear? I have been doing that more often this year, results inconclusive so far.

[@richdunn9774]

yRock Simpson I put one treble in the front and that’s it. Sucks when both hooks are in the fish. I put my treble on two split rings w a swivel in between. Takes away the torque/stress the fish can put on the lure.

[@LemonRiverOutdoors]

I agree, I would rather use a single hook but the hook up ratio is too low for me to change from treble hooks.

[@samlove933]

Would you replace the feathered single hooks on the back of some tsunami plugs like the meatball lip swimmer?

[@danwilliams4189]

With your influence can you get a manufacture to make double hooks ?

[@Sojourner-ql6du]

Thanks much for the video. I don't mean to be insulting, but it seems you were horsing those fish a bit. I think your landing ratio may have been higher with a little more finesse. I land 24"+ sea trout and redfish with 2/0 VMC inline hooks on topwater lures. Again, thanks much for your work.

[@allannanan1621]

old post but...could it be that the body of the lure is as big as the curve of the hook so the fish cannot close its mouth enough to get a good hook set?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

You are exactly right on the money. Some people have done OK with the belly single by putting a substantially larger gap hook there, although I'd prefer not to use such a big hook.

[@scottmaccaferri]

I’ve tried them too. Not a fan of running both belly and tail inline hooks

[@lamiglass1]

I tried using the inline hooks last year on a popper and on a SP minnow and the lose to land ratio was so bad that I switched the hooks back to trebles

[@adamhfishing]

Hi John, did you crush the barbs on these like you normally do?

[@ProfessorBear510]

That was really informative thank you. Have you tried a single hook on a canal style setup. I have been thinking of trying this. (Plug o-ring, barrel swivel, then hook is what I mean.)

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No, but I might try that on big bluefish. Good comment.

[@ProfessorBear510]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I really hope to see that in a video. Thanks for the great information!

[@barry2076]

If you haven't already done so, offsetting the hook will help keep the fish on

[@lonellrodgers8539]

The same thing happend to me. I had the fish on for a few seconds and it would pop right off. Happened about 4 times on a pencil.

[@bobsmoot2392]

Regular large single hooks, ( loop 90° to hook bend) one facing left one right. I think it make easier hookups. Cheaper too.

[@SRTKOVA]

What size would you use for the canal John ?

[@ouissandy2806]

I only use inline. It is easy to release fish while surf casting, especially with giant blues. You also catch less schoolies.

[@mikewhitaker2306]

I think it has something to do with the design of the hook allows the fish to come off easier than a regular treble hook

[@m00nsplitter72]

That's a shame, and also slightly incomprehensible. Fishing a buck tail would not provide a similar result, so it must have something to to with leverage, and I'm assuming that most of the fish are being hooked by the belly mounted hook. I have switched to in-line singles for my trout lures but, being primarily a fly fisherman, have not tested them adequately. I hope for a better result because I hate tearing up a fish's mouth that I intend to return.

[@f-castrofishing5987]

Hey John was the Barb crushed ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

no

[@scottsluggosrule4670]

I cut 1 hook off of each treble...wonder why you can hook and keep em on a single hook lure like a shad?

[@joeazzarelli9043]

Scott Sluggos Rule! I have always wondered about this - it seems like you'd still stay above a statistical threshold of penetration while reducing the problems with trebles, namely unhooking fish when the treble has gotten twisted in and around the mouth, gills, head, etc. Does the method work and do you think it reduces mortality/ makes unhooking easier?

[@scottsluggosrule4670]

It seems to work...and somewhat safer. I wonder if the physically incorporated the hooks in the body if the lure whether hookup would be more secure. I just hate trebles...I just limit my use of them and stick with shads, Sluggos, or a single treble. I would love to see John just try with rear treble only

[@bazzman13]

I get good hook ups with singles on diving lures but that's with much smaller hooks and targets.

[@gobybryant1001]

Your hooks have something wrong or something cause I lose less fish on singles than trebles

[@randytodd2369]

Did you ever test it out again

[@gabepettinicchio7454]

Has anyone snipping off the 3rd hook on a treble? Maybe that would be a solid compromise. I have never tried this and wondering if any of you have. Thanks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes. It was terrible on the belly treble! It was done accidently when the third hook broke. The hook ended up laying flat to the plug, and I missed/dropped several fish on it, usually right away.

[@gabepettinicchio7454]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing It was strange that all those you lost in vid, were definitely hooked. IMO, the single hook did not reduce hook-ups. Once the fish is hooked, it would be the same as with any other single hook, wouldn't it?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

On the tail hook yes. On the belly hook the single just lays against the plug and there's not much bite. A viewer said he's solved this by using substantially larger inline hooks on the belly. That makes sense to me. The hooks with a large bend wouldn't be able to "hide" against the plug.

[@gabepettinicchio7454]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing True. I've also heard that the single, replacing the treble should be equal in terms of width.

[@EsoxCT]

Horsing 'em John! They're small fish too.

[@viper2788]

Can you make a video about reading the surf? I often find myself thinking... "What what John Skinner do?" lol

[@willjohnston3905]

check his library of vids, he has.

[@Marceldbd]

WWJD

[@maydinli07ma]

İnsanlar içinde tanıdığım en iyi balık avcısısınız( fishing MAN)

[@jackvoodoo2900]

seems like the rod doesn't have the grunt to it your not burying it in past the barb the rod sort of soft and a slow action for working topwater you want a fast taper rod with grunt to really slam those singles in deep

[@bobsmoot2392]

Its the pumping. Lack of uniform rod bend. They are unhooking during the slack time.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The rod is constantly bent - never any slack.

[@Skolmann]

I’ll replace both trebles on darters and minnow plugs but on pencils, poppers and spook type plugs I’ll leave the treble on the belly and use an inline hook on the tail hook.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I appreciate that input! I should revisit the inline on the tail hook at least.

[@outdoors-fun]

Thats a pretty damning video, even all those fish blowing up on that lure and not getting hooked. Add to that all the fish that popped off and yikes! I swapped a bunch of my plugs to singles, but i think ill be going back to trebles...

[@mikewhitaker2306]

Maybe if you add an optional swivel might help out

[@richardstrumsky6365]

Perhaps what is needed is some serious sharpening of those hooks. And I do mean SERIOUS sharpening. Sometime ago before these inline hooks were available I switched out treble hooks on a number of plugs with large stainless Mustad hooks more suitably used for saltwater flies. Had good success landing fish. The hooks would hang at 90 degree angles to centerline of the plug. Perhaps having the hooks hang at that angle is actually what you may want to ensure a hookup.

[@CapeCodCanalFishing]

Richard Strumsky sharpening has nothing to do with why he was loosing those fish, he was having solid hookups and fighting them for a decent time, but with those single hooks he was just barley making contact with the fish, hook may have been finding its way to the side of the plug and laying flat against it one way or another, even with those inline style hooks, I was having the exact same problem when I switched to single hooks, solid hookups, fight the fish for a bit, then pop, hook just pulled through what little lip it pierced every single time.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm obsessive about sharp hooks. They were sharp.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I think you've got it. The belly hook goes to the side of the plug and has little bite. I just tried it with my hand.

[@CapeCodCanalFishing]

John Skinner Fishing I would put the treble back on the belly and leave the single hook in the rear

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Agreed. This was just a test. Based on the results I don't see me trading belly trebles for singles anytime soon.

[@lastcasttv5380]

Great video John!

[@MedicRNMike]

I think the problem is that they are too “circle hook-ish”. They have a definite curve inwards and have the general look to them. I use the siwash hooks from surfcaster.com and have not had issues.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm not aware that anyone makes inline Siwash hooks, so I guess you mean open eye.

[@MedicRNMike]

Probably.

[@MedicRNMike]

This is what I was talking about-so correct, they are not inline. However, I keep looking at the overall curvature and it seems that the hook your are using is really too close to the the curvature of a circle hook, especially with the inward-facing point coming up from a inward-curving bend. www.thesurfcaster.com/product/SingleWhite_Bucktail_Replacement_Hook/Tail_Hooks

[@Iamthereal_1]

Subbed! Great video format and info 👍

[@tomlamp7503]

John try a treble in the middle

[@nickmartyn9610]

This is why I keep my barbs an use trebles if I’m keeping fish trebles all day messing around single in the back treble in the front

[@frankmaniaci3520]

Sold; staying with tribal and moving to the sound

[@timmyallen5655]

You beefed up the hook size but not the rod . Your not getting the hook last the barb . I use inline singles on everything exept big wood plugs . They hook and hold just fine . I use them barbless .you have to set harder when using heaver steel

[@szymonantos]

I think if you went a tad slower you would get a more solid hook up and land these fish.

[@mistermatsuda]

You probably need to go bigger on the hooks. Right now you're just barely lip hooking the fish and it's ripping off during the fight. Bigger hooks will allow for better purchase on the hookset. With inline hooks though, you will miss the smaller fish that may otherwise get hooked by one of the tinier prongs of a treble. However, you should come out even with the bigger fish.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Good comment. Thanks.

[@mistermatsuda]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing No, thank you for all the great vids. Just an opinion, those hooks look tiny for that popper. I'd say 2 sizes up. The lure may not act the same to you because you are used to the original action. I get that. It'll still work as good given a minimal change. Different doesn't mean worse. It's just different. We humans hate change though. LOL.

[@vsonic86]

Seriously, I have the same problem with sp minnow using a single hook.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for sharing that. I wondered if it would be different on another style lure with a different retrieve.

[@miopera40]

Single hooks work good on weed days, on regular days the treble is the way to go, unless you wana miss a lot of good catches

[@tolpacourt]

Funny how the bucktail jig has only one hook and nobody thinks of "improving" it with adding more tines. Ever see a treble hooked bucktail?

[@aramis7286]

Hi John, I enjoy watching your seasoned videos but this particular one caused me sorrow, as I'm a big fan and promoter of single hooks. Actually I hate trebles for practical, ethical, aesthetic reasons. I put inline singles in every type of lures, don't find any problems with it, only advantages. It must be another explanation about your bad experience with them...

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The belly hook clearly lays up against the body of the lure and doesn't provide any "bite". I'm told a larger hook would help correct that. The tail hook should be fine.

[@aramis7286]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I see you are using VMC 7266, these are crap, try Mustad Kaiju or even VMC 7237

[@dustinfehr3466]

Not fair John, you can catch fish using bubble gum🤣🤣

[@Redcrown48]

Too much leverage , you're using split rings right, maybe you need 2 rings or different hooks

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

An extra ring would flip the hook 90 degrees again, eliminating the point of an inline.

[@JustJuice305]

John Skinner Fishing will you be having a Christmas sale on your books? Also do the techniques learned in them apply well to South Florida?

[@thereelraconteur7801]

Jules Celestin I can vouch for the usefulness of Mr. Skinner's books. Having just come back from a 10 day fishing tour of Florida (Mosquito Lagoon: Reds - Indian River: Snook and Specks - The Keys: Skunked lol - The Everglades: Snakeheads, Butterfly Peacock Bass - Winterhaven Chain: Largies, Pickerel, etc) I can tell you that the things I learned from John's books were a foundation (and well beyond) of knowledge for all types of fishing. Be it lure selection, working plugs, and especially the ever versatile Bucktail lure, I feel like without having read his books I would have been doing a lot more trial and error on a very expensive trip.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Sorry, I never discount the books. Someone else commented on the usefulness of the books for S. Florida.

[@johnschaub7810]

the fish has less leverage on a single hook compared to a treble

[@robertcornelius3514]

I think you bent the hook tip out before you fished with it. I am not one to be fooled.

[@williamkenney339]

What a pity! Too bad they didn't work. It would be much safer to unhook a thrashing fish with singles. To me, it's a safety issue.

[@CPDLee]

Don't pump the rod keep tip up and reel. I musky fish and have been going barbless by crimping the barb, if I pump the rod I will loose the fish when I keep the rod up I boat them most of the time.

[@ogi-9346]

I use single hooks and I never loses a fish..

[@rickfreeda5845]

Single hooks where a trebles should be take advice from this video

[@bigdeliciousband]

John, these particular hooks are too close to the shape of circle hooks. It leaves the point too prone to dislodge as the fish thrashes about. Would love to see this evaluation repeated some day with longer, straight shanks, and even a deeper throat on the hooks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I really wanted to test inline hooks, and when I google for inline hooks, they're all very similar to what I used.

[@barlow2976]

But surely circle hooks are designed to hold fish well for long periods, which is why the longliners use them?

[@RIYakFishing]

I hate single hooks! I’ll never try using them again. Trebles only!

[@t.j.stonehouse5416]

John you say you had an opportunity with PLENTY OF FISH ? what if your wife hears that you are using that site ;) Single as a Pringle and looking for a Hook -up !

[@wdinarte]

That was crazy lost fish