Trailer hooks IMO are a MUST for 90 percent of spinnerbait fishing. There is debate among anglers as to how the trailer hook attaches, Some like the hook to be "free" and floppy but I am of the belief that it needs to straight and stay inline with the hook of the lure. To do this you take tubing and slide it over the eye of the trailer hook and then insert the spinnerbait hook through the eye and the tubing keeps the hook ridged for a long time. This way the trailer hook follows the spinnerbait hook exactly and isn't as likely to get hung up.
**my you tube video is at the bottom****
I also don't buy "trailer hooks". They are too expensive so I buy 3/0 or 4/0 trotline hooks or Limerick Hooks. These have a big eye and work great for trailer hooks. Don't buy 5/0's as I have found these eyes too large to slide the tubing over. I also like pink or red tubing as I think this gets more bites, kind of similar to the idea behind Bleeding red Hooks.
Here is the Tubing I use. I purchased a lot along time ago and it was made by J T's tackle. Jan's Netcraft is also a good source for tubing. The Hooks I use the most are these Eagle Claw Limerick's.
Here is a video from my You Tube channel on How to do this
I had caught zero fish this year and I was getting pretty restless wanting to catch something slimy . Where would I go? I didn't have the time or confidence to make a trip to some of my usual haunts with this cold weather so I figured a trip to a spot that held a lot of Chain Pickerel aka "Jack" would maybe get me a fish or two. I decided to hit a small stream in the Piedmont that has a few Jack in it.
My rod would be a 5 1/2 ft lite spinning outfit loaded with 6 lb mono. My lure of choice today would be a 1/6 oz Super Roostertail in red with red hackle. This color combo is no longer made by Yakima Bait company in the super.
I arrived at the stream at aprox 11:30 am and immediately took the water temperature and it showed 42 degrees. I started working several pools and at 1 pool I had 1 follow and 3 hits. I caught this Jack which was maybe 13 inches. Not a monster but I will take it after a winter of not fishing. After not getting anymore hits I took a few pictures of this stream and left knowing I would be back here in warmer weather to catch a few bass and bream.
Here are a few pics of this nice stream. A hidden jewel.
The last time I fished this stream was probably 5 or 6 years ago and I will be sure to make it back there by May. Here are a few pics from that trip .
