Hooks for a Spook?

[seachunk2]

I'll be putting the spooks shown in the picture to work soon. Haven't used spooks before but I'm looking forward to it.

At least for now, I'll leave the treble hooks that were on the Musky Mania Doc, but will crush the barbs.

I picked up the Dirk Doc bare and need to add hooks. 

I prefer to avoid the use of treble hooks as much as possible.

I'd rather use inline single hooks. I have Mustad Ultra Points in sizes 2/0 to 5/0. Not sure whether to crush the barbs if I use the single hooks.

I also have VMC trebles in similar sizes, and good quality SS split rings in assorted sizes.

If I use the inline, I can dress the hook.

So material wise, I have a few options but I don't know how the lures action might be effected if I use the inline hooks. 

Any suggestions how to rig the bare Dirk?

 

[angler management]

i vote crushed bard treble up front inline in the rear . i skip the dressed hook when distance matters.

[VitaminDee]

i like single inline hooks for those.

[WindAndWater]

Not sure but 5/0 inline hooks might be a bit small. 7/0 might be better. 

[EliasA]

I I’m not sure about the mustads, but 5/0 may be a bit small for the 9” doc. All the brands are a bit different so its hard to keep up with, but you may need 7/0 or even 8/0 or 9/0 for the doc

 

I crush the barbs on single and treble hooks, but you don’t have to, and I would avoid the dressed tail for now

 

also, own other tip, even if you keep the hooks on the doc, change the split rings. The stock split rings on the docs are abysmal and many a trophy fish has been lost to their bending out

[Skunkoff]

One thing about sizing inlines is to make sure the hook isn't too big.  Otherwise it will hook itself around the lure body.

[seachunk2]

Somr good tips here. I'll be changing the split rings on the already dressed Doc. I ordered a pack of 7/0 online Mustads and will give them a go. 

[MainelySmallies]

I run a treble up front w/ crushed barbs and an 7/0 or 9/0 in-line VMC or BKK depending on what I have. 

[Fitzy]

On 6/9/2023 at 1:21 AM, seachunk2 said:

I'll be putting the spooks shown in the picture to work soon. Haven't used spooks before but I'm looking forward to it.

At least for now, I'll leave the treble hooks that were on the Musky Mania Doc, but will crush the barbs.

I picked up the Dirk Doc bare and need to add hooks. 

I prefer to avoid the use of treble hooks as much as possible.

I'd rather use inline single hooks. I have Mustad Ultra Points in sizes 2/0 to 5/0. Not sure whether to crush the barbs if I use the single hooks.

I also have VMC trebles in similar sizes, and good quality SS split rings in assorted sizes.

If I use the inline, I can dress the hook.

So material wise, I have a few options but I don't know how the lures action might be effected if I use the inline hooks. 

Any suggestions how to rig the bare Dirk?

 

Don’t dress the hook if you want the lure to walk at its full potential.  A dressed hook creates drag in the back end, which will slow its forward momentum after each twitch.  It’ll work more like a pencil with a heavily dressed tail.

 

I usually fish them with 4/0 vmc trebles with the bigger Wolverine split rings.

[Bait Tailer]

I love the dirk but it will split.  Even with double split rings, I’ve bent multiple belly hangers on both and pulled a few rear hangers on the dirk. 7/0 owners were the best balance on that plug for me but I don’t bother with a rear hook.

 

If you’re getting into good fish, canal rig will make them last longer and improves hook up and landing ratio. 

Edited June 12 by Bait Tailer