Rigging Rapalas for Rainbow Trout

[@scottmueller1896]

I've fished for big browns in a barbless only river for over 20 years and came up with your hook change upside down on the back and dangling straight down in the middle with a siwash open eye#1-4 on countdowns from #4-#11. I take off the split ring in the nose and tie a double loop knot through the eyelet. It's the best way to hook up and keep the fish hooked. After loosing a few 10 pound fish and almost losing most of the 3-7 pound fish I hooked I knew a treble would never stick into a big fishes lip but with a barbless siwash the hook would easily go around its lip. The upside down back siwash hooks up many more fish than I ever caught on trebles or a down pointing hook and I tie a fly around it for flash and to disguise it better. I found it very cool who rigs a Rapala exactly the same way without ever speaking or hearing about it. You really did your homework.

[@martinschulz9381]

Some good points. When my wife and I are catching small throw back fish, we always bend and file the barbs down. When the big one gets away...good for it. When we are on a single hook barb less lake, we still do well, and have fun.

[@mainetroutwhisperer]

Check out Everett Lures. They have trout specific single hooked crankbaits

[@TK-cl1jm]

Found this searching for best single hook to replace trebs on Rapala, very nice video! However, erm, about that loop you mentioned...?

[@Pray4Mojo1]

I completely disagree with the idea of changing treble hook to a single siwash. After moving from an area where most people used trebles to another area where trebles are illegal, I don't think I've foul hooked, or hooked a fish through the mouth/eye nearly 1/10th as many times with a treble as I do with single hooks. I've probably killed more fish this year on singles than I ever have using trebles since I've started fishing. It just astounds me that people think singles are better.

[@nemo5335]

+Pray4Mojo I do it with every spoon I buy because it makes them work much better with a trailer. Hooking a grub or gulp worm onto a treble works, but it works a lot better with a single hook that lets the trailer keep it's action. Never tried it on a crankbait, though.

[@Pray4Mojo1]

hulk hogan Well yeah, it makes sense if you're setting up an effective rig. But just as a general statement saying single siwash hooks decrease mortality may be wrong as per my experience.

[@nemo5335]

Pray4Mojo I think it depends on the fish, really. Unless you're SUPER careful trout and northern/muskie are going to die pretty much no matter what. Fish like bass and walleye are tough enough it doesn't matter. That said, I eat what I catch for the most part, so at least with the first few I catch, I'm not too concerned. I'm going to kill them regardless.

[@jornelindberg5127]

so does he leave the front hook eye empty? or put single on that too?

[@paulc7400]

Jorne Lindberg sounds like he leaves it empty so he has less of a chance of snagging and ripping up the fish.

[@paulwhittaker5195]

Gamakatsu is the only hooks i have used for the last 25 years

[@JDCRES]

Awesome it.s about time!!!!

[@sKxVirtual]

how do u get the hook on the back with out the split ring

[@eliasrudnitsky3884]

the siwash hooks are open eyed, that means the eye can be put over the rear rapala hook eyelet and clamped down with pliers to retain it.

[@gregcavender7798]

What ever happened to Seth? The guy really knew his stuff. Just seems to have disappeared. I know about his legal battle with Buds divers but I can't believe that's why he disappeared.

[@stephenkutney9626]

I've been fishing with rapala's in rivers for years with the front hooks removed. It works very well for 20+ inch browns.

[@Grond605]

Nicely done. Ive swapped all by spoon trebles with single barbless hooks, fishing with trebles is a pain because you snag on everything that is burried in The water.

[@Grond605]

I can’t remember how many times i’ve bent my thumb nail back putting on smaller rings and singles on my lures!!!!!!

[@nathandarval1]

Going by the tiger stripes. The before and after was more adjusted than a skin care infomercial.

[@dkat1108]

Would you do this if you were trolling for trout ?

[@roybrewer7865]

So, no hook in the middle of the lure at all?

[@jdean1851]

thanx alot we'll try it out!

[@michigan_masks8969]

Rah-paw-law, not raw-paul-ah

[@fredrichblue6624]

It’s originally pronounced Rap La.