Northwest Fishing Reports

I took a buddy out fishing yesterday he didn't have any plugs so I let him use one of my favorites. I t worked well for him he landed a nice Chrome Coho Hen but one of the hooks bent. He changed out hooks and the action on the plug isn't the same anymore. Anyone experienced this?

Was the new treble the same size, shape, length of shank? Was it installed correctly and not upside down?

It was off a different Brads didn't think about it being upside down.

We were using treble hooks on our Kwickfish K16 getting bites but only 10% 1 out of 10 successful when a boat next to us used Siwash hooks getting much better about 40-50% of successful hookups. Can you explain?

I could guess, but I'd have to see the lure, the hooks that were on the lure, and the other Siwash hooks. Then I could compare, and guess. It also could just boil down to the speed of the retrieve.

Also may need to re-tune the plug of the front eyelet was twisted at all. Just pull the plug along side the boat - if it tends to go left or right, just turn that eyelet the opposite direction a hair, toss it out and test it again. Keep it up until it runs straight.

Alot of people (myself included) will switch out the trebles for a 3-bead chain and a single siwash hook. Hookups seem to stick better on short strikes and when coho roll, the siwash on the chain will roll with them where the treble direct on the plug will work as leverage against the fish's cheek to work the hook free.

I am also thinking to change all the treble hooks to a 3-bead chain and single Siwash hooks. I think that setup provides some flexibility and not ripping off the hooks out of the mouth.

When I'm fishing Steelhead, Salmon, and Dollys I always replace the trebles on my Rapalas and plugs with single Siwash hooks. I don't use the triple bead setup because with me they were tangling with the lure to much. Although for bass I always change out my trebles with KVD triple grips or Gammy trebles on my jerks and cranks. I think its important to try and match the hook size and to keep em tuned. If Ive got a particular crank thats killing em, when I put that particular lure back in my box when I'm done with it, I'll leave a little tag line on it so I won't get it mixed up with an identical looking lure thats already in the box (I usually have several of the same) I'll keep using that one till it looses it's mojoe, then it's on to the next one.

Don't be afraid to try the 4 or 6 beaded chains. I also use the Siwash. Good luck.

basser90 wrote:When I'm fishing Steelhead, Salmon, and Dollys I always replace the trebles on my Rapalas and plugs with single Siwash hooks. I don't use the triple bead setup because with me they were tangling with the lure to much. Although for bass I always change out my trebles with KVD triple grips or Gammy trebles on my jerks and cranks. I think its important to try and match the hook size and to keep em tuned. If Ive got a particular crank thats killing em, when I put that particular lure back in my box when I'm done with it, I'll leave a little tag line on it so I won't get it mixed up with an identical looking lure thats already in the box (I usually have several of the same) I'll keep using that one till it looses it's mojoe, then it's on to the next one.

What size of siwash hooks is appropriate/match the size 16 of Kwikfish, Wee Wiggle Warts or Brads based on your experience?

Hey Roman, I'm sorry I wasn't able to get back to you sooner. I usually use a split ring and a size 1 Gammy I'm not sure about the Kwikfish, but with Wiggle Warts and Brats it works great for me, not to mention Rapalas . I'm not big on beaded chains because I feel it effects the action of my lures (plus they tangle the hooks together). I'm real big on presentation. We'll always catch fish on basically any lure with any hook system, but it's the big picky bruiser I'm after. Salmon, Trout, Steelhead, Bass and all the rest

#1 Siwash on Wee and Magnums, no matter what size is the lure itself?

I would go up or down on hook size depending on the size of the lure of course, but most of my Wiggle Warts and Brads Brats are the same size (not sure what size right off, standard about 3"or so) and I do use the #1 Siwash on the two and the larger three treble Rapala's. A larger hook would also work, but a #1 is pretty universal size for me. I also like that size for swapping out on my #3 and #4 Vibrax's and most spoons that I throw. Experimenting has led me to this and it seems to work, but I'm no expert