Northwest Fishing Reports

So I happened across a stash of #1 Dick Nite spoons at the store today (I was surprised to see them there as I haven't seen any in the last month or so). I've never used them for drift fishing before, but want to give it a try as I am hearing they are quite effective for the silvers.

My question is do you change out the standard hook on the Dick Nite to something larger? Or is the hook it comes with large/strong enough for the salmon? If you do change it out to a larger siwash, what size do you prefer to use?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

The stock hook will do you just fine. If you change the hooks you will also change the action of the lure, that's the big kicker. The guage wire used on the hooks is fairly stout and holds up well, my only qualm would be the gap from point to shank is rather small, but the proof is in the puddin' they DO catch LOTS of salmon. BIG SALMON.

Larger hook will likely change the action of the lure.
+1 to what matt said. Wouldn't hurt to buy a file or a pack of gamakatsu open eye siwash hooks in the appropriate size to have as a spare to keep sharp hooks on those lures.

A bigger hook ruins the lure's action. The little hooks come off really easy I've found. But I have also found the bending the hook out a little helps to get a bit more grab. I like to use thee wee nites, which have a smaller hook than the #1's. I also bend out my jigs a bit when I'm fishing the tiny ones for steelhead. Just enough to get more grab. And be easy on the fish when you're bring them in if you can.

I lose the damn things on snags so much fishing for coho in the skagit, (where in recent years they want a SUPER slow retrieve right along the bottom) that its not even worth the time to switch out the hooks, although i rarely lose a coho to the stock hooks.

great to know. thanks guys!

I fish my dick nites with stock hooks. They hold pretty well, and usually the hooks bends out of snags, saving the lure. The only gripe I have is the eye of the hook won't close all the way, even after pinching them shut with the pliers. It's a pain because it always catches on my net after I net a fish.

google: dick nite spoons seminar.

good and informative.

bkawafishin wrote:So I happened across a stash of #1 Dick Nite spoons at the store today (I was surprised to see them there as I haven't seen any in the last month or so). I've never used them for drift fishing before, but want to give it a try as I am hearing they are quite effective for the silvers.

My question is do you change out the standard hook on the Dick Nite to something larger? Or is the hook it comes with large/strong enough for the salmon? If you do change it out to a larger siwash, what size do you prefer to use?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

i thaught the same thing, but it turns out that the little hook that comes on them is sufficient. i had no problem reeling them in all day. good luck

MrJohn wrote:google: dick nite spoons seminar.

good and informative.

I did just this and it was definitely very informative.

For the lazy:

Not only Dick nites but I usually sharpen the hooks before fishing using a small honing stone. If I catch a snag I resharpen. I have quite a collection of Dick Nites. In our rivers the 50/50 works the best hands down.

bend the hook to the side a smig, so its not in line. better hook up and less missed hook sets. just a smig

i have never had a prob with these hooks, from pinks to kings. i have bent these hooks out also and just rebent it back and continued catching fish