Catch and Release Smallmouth Fishing, with Trokar Live Bait Hooks

I don’t promote the use of live bait fishing unless it’s done responsibly and 100% catch & release survival is assured. When nothing else works to catch fish, it’s a last resort tactic for me. But to others it’s understandably a top choice, and unbeatable in cold water periods.

This September and October, I published a 2 part piece on responsible live bait fishing for smallmouths during the fall months. It received a lot of positive feedback.

Fall Smallmouth Bass Strategies: No Shame with the Live Bait Game

After that story’s publishing, I expanded on the subject independently, trying other methods and hook styles, seeking improvements to my hook placement (following hook set) and hook-up ratios. I found an incredible hook that is far superior to any others I’ve had success with and promoted thus far.

Frequently we’ve most commonly used size 1 and 2 octopus hooks. While they work, fish tend to swallow them too easily, often as a result of not paying attention and detecting a bite, or having fed them too much line prior to setting the hook. For that reason, and methods of feeding line to fish, I do not like octopus hooks, or other similar live bait hooks because fish swallow too frequently. Once that happens, the damage is done. Hence I call them “kill rigs”. Why is there any need to feed line to bass in the first place?

Recently I had done far superior with non octopus hooks, each resulting with better hook-ups, hook placements, and [if extreme] less damage to fish. They are Eagle Claw Trokar’s TK 15 Wide Load Hook and TK7 Extreme Hook in sizes 1 and 2. These hooks have a wider gap than most traditional live bait hooks, preventing swallows, and they’re the next most-effective model to a circle hook that I’ve found. Trokar’s assortment of circle hooks in the TK 619 variety are superb as well, requiring almost zero hook-setting effort; when a fish grabs the bait it’s instantly pinned.

I used neither of those hooks this fall. Instead, I fished with a saltwater live bait hook the entire time. Trokar TK-3 Lancet Offsets. I think I’ve found the best one yet that suits my needs, immediate hook-set style, and ensures the best possible survival of fish.

https://www.eagleclaw.com/trokar/products/product/23968/

Size 1/0 is their smallest size. Made exclusively for saltwater live bait fishing, the hook’s unique off-set, wide gap angle promotes instantaneous automatic hook-sets, with nearly every hook-up being clean. The offset angle and wide gap allows the hook to roll into the corner of the fish’s jaw, regardless of how deep the fish swallows the bait.

This past October, 100% of all the bass I caught with this hook had a placement in the upper jaw. All of the bass this set-up caught required zero line feeding as I normally see done by anglers fishing with smaller hooks and other live bait hook designs. Feel a tick or bait grab, and place immediate pressure onto the rod. This is fishing made easy, and it’s not a kill rig like an octopus can be.

When partners observed my rigging with this hook, I was met with skepticism and criticism that the hook is too large and bulky, or the angle of the hook prevents the live minnow from naturally presenting itself swimming.

The thicker diameter of this hook adds strength and power to counter the ferocity of a 5 lb. bass. Although thinner diameter hooks generally allow for better penetration through jaw tissue, the hook’s surgical sharpness makes up for it, allowing penetration with such little force and pressure required.

The TK-3 excels with large live minnows smallmouths prefer during coldwater months. My favorites are 4 to 6 inch walleye sucker minnows for their heartiness and lively action. The bulkiness of a juicy lively minnow will mask the bulky appearance and first impression you may have on the TK-3. Bigger hooks in general also reduce the chances of fish hooking themselves too deep.

A number of quality bass this fall were captured with Lindy rigging a TK-3. Not one fish was accidentally gut hooked, or met injury. Neither were any lost due to a failed hookup. Like I do for any fish species, I never allow a fish to run with the bait because it leads to swallowing regardless of hook style – it even happens with using most sophisticated circle hooks, as well as quick-strike rigs. The irreparable damage is then done.

When a smallmouth grabs the minnow, it will be hooked perfectly in the corner of the jaw like this, every time.

The TK-3 is a quality hook, which could be difficult to find for the northern bass angler. Best bet is to order direct thru trokar.com or any online retailer. You won’t find these at any bait and tackle shop in this region.

Trokar / Eagle Claw Fishing

www.trokar.com