Pre-tied Hook effectiveness

[frosteeone]

I know there's a term for them, but from time to time I've used some pre-tied hooks that are already tied to about 6" of line. They come in a bag of 6-10 or so. --I've just connected them to the swivel hook at the end of my line. --Is that the correct use for them? <br /><br />I mean, they're faster than tying your own, when you're just fishing with a worms or crickets.<br /><br />Am I using them correctly? -- It seams like that swivel might spook the fish a little more than just the straight line tied to a hook.<br /><br />Just some mid-winter wonderin'....

 

[neumanns]

Re: Pre-tied Hook effectiveness

They are called snelled. It is actually a way of tying a specific knot on the hook shank so as to have the hook and bait presented in a certian way.<br /><br />As for the correct way to rig them I am not posative. I do not use them I just tie my own. Yes it takes a bit longer and is not as pretty a knot but so it goes.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Pre-tied Hook effectiveness

You are using them correctly. I have caught many fish this way baiting them with minnows and night crawlers. Get yourself some very small black swivels. They are more invisible in the water.

 

[lund17]

Re: Pre-tied Hook effectiveness

I tie my own with a uni-knot snell(See Cabelas Field guide). This way I can use exactly the hook I want and exactly the line I want at any length I want. I've come to prefer flourocarbon leaders 2-4 feet below the swivel. It only takes afew seconds to tie and I do up a package or two before I head out.

 

[bilmac]

Re: Pre-tied Hook effectiveness

These things are expensive and more importantly tied with way too heavy of line. They make your bait look stiff and unnatural in the water. If you are using fairly light line, 6# or less, you are a lot better off tying your hook directly to the line. If you feel you need heavy line, make up your leader with some of the new multifiliment miracle line. It is soft and flexable but very strong. They say it's hard to make good knots with it, but a palomar knot always works for me. Keep the business end of your rig as light and unobtrusive as possible and over the long run you'll catch more fish.

 

[frosteeone]

Re: Pre-tied Hook effectiveness

Thanks everyone. I never thought about the snell line being "heavier" than my own. That's not good.... The wife usually goes with me and although she fishes from time to time, she's usually out there for the sun, to control the trolling motor, pass me a beer, help me trailer the boat and to spend quality time with... . -<br />I could always pre-tie a couple hooks on her lines that I know I'll use for worms/crickets etc before I go out... --I never seem to think about that part of it in advance. <br />Thanks again.

 

[lund17]

Re: Pre-tied Hook effectiveness

Sometimes the best part of a fishing trip is the night before. While you take a little time to tie some knots and do some rigging and check over your tackle you can plan what you're going to do and where you're gonna go and Oh Man is it still winter out there?!! The boat's on blocks with Saran Wrap all over it and the lakes are all hard and the river don't move anymore and YES I'm whining! But, I can still sit back with a scotch and snell some 7/0 circle hooks with 50# flouro and dream of 40 lb stripers and life has hope again.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Pre-tied Hook effectiveness

I fish in a river with current so I use snelled hooks sometimes when i'm fishing a rocky bottom or drifting, I don't use a swivel but rather tie them on and leave an inch or so of tail on the line, then I just pinch on a couple split shot sinkers and if they get hung up in the stones they will slide off the "tail" instead of breaking your line.