I recently spent some time with a fellow QJ member on a trout stream in southern Tennessee of all places. We both had exactly the same thinking on lure choices (small crank baits) but special regs precluded using treble hooks with single barbless hooks being a prerequisite. Despite a 28 degree start to the day we ended up rather well with numerous trout caught including 3 over 20". After all was said and done my accomplice made the comment that he just might stay with the single hook as very few fish shook the single hook.

This was just further confirmation of a direction I have been leaning towards concerning fishing out of a canoe far from anything. My last trip in WCP was an eye opener on several levels. My preference for fishing very large lures was solidified........but the safety concern was also verified. In spite of being very cautious and having prepared myself quite adequately (boga, 9" needle nose pliers, lindy glove) I still had 2 very close calls. Something about a 10" lure sporting 3 sets of 8/0 treble hooks which is tough to overcome despite caution and respect.

So enter in the Gamakatsu EWG double hooks. Marketed as a hook to use with soft plastic frogs I think it would excel as a tail mounted replacement hook for a wide variety of crankbaits. Dispense with the other hooks and run a single double hook......perhaps run lures in the 8" range.

Only 2 sizes......3/0 and 4/0. I have picked up the 4/0 size already and it looks perfect for say an 8" grandma lure. I will be interested to see the 3/0 size. These hooks are not the typical flimsy narrow gap double hooks you might see on say an old daredevil spoon. Nay, these are tournament grade and should do the job rather well. Another positive aspect of this set up would be the lures ability to avoid snags.....bounce that rock pile aggressively, just might trigger a fish.

Anyways, just a thought. I might miss a few but overall I believe it will be far safer for me and easier on the fish I might add. :thumb up

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