Posted 10/16/2009 11:59 AM (#405074) Subject: Hook placement on a sucker
I always place a treble on each side of the sucker roughly in the middle of the sucker front to back and top to bottom. Should I be placing a hook directly on the top of the sucker?
Posted 10/16/2009 4:38 PM (#405124 - in reply to #405074) Subject: RE: Hook placement on a sucker
Posts: 71
Location: Loves Park, IL
Interesting topic.....we were just discussing this same thing on our yearly fall musky fishing trip. I have seen it done both ways by a couple different guides. I am not sure which is right. I would love to hear some opinions/theories on this topic from some of the experts here.
Posted 10/16/2009 4:51 PM (#405129 - in reply to #405074) Subject: Re: Hook placement on a sucker
Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana
normaly i put one just behind the top dorsal . and one torwards the front just ahead of the dorsal . around the middle of the body. and if im using a smaller sucker i use a #3 hook and if its bigger a # 5 and i only use 1 hook on smaller suckers and 2 on bigger ones. i also use the rubber band method. i take the rubberband and put it on the snap and then run it through the nostrils. then i twist the rubber band to take out some of the slack. (better than tucking it under) and when you set the hook the first time . the band will break a heck of alot easier and the second hookset will drive them home.. i also have used the small hook on the lip but i started loosing suckers as they would bury themselves into weeds and such. so i took a coffee can lid and cut little squares out and stuck the hook point through that after lipping the sucker. that works too on a different rig.. i tye my own so i can experiment with different ways....bill
Posted 10/16/2009 8:50 PM (#405160 - in reply to #405074) Subject: Re: Hook placement on a sucker
Posts: 113
Location: Northwest Wisconsin
Would also like to hear how others are rigging them. First year using quick strike rigs. I so far have been rigging them the same way as you guest but have missed a couple. Pictures would be great.
Posted 10/17/2009 4:29 PM (#405236 - in reply to #405074) Subject: Re: Hook placement on a sucker
Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander.
Again I'll say what I do that is totally different. I make my own rigs. A single hook and up abour inches a treble and I have another wire leading to a 3rd treble. This is about 4 inches longer then the other treble. I place the single hook in front of the tail and the trebles in its back.
Here is why. When a musky goes to swallow a sucker head first if it takes by the head it easily swallows it as there is no leader to a hook in its mouth. This hook and leader only impede the ability of a muskie to swallow the sucker.
Secondly it allows the sucker to swim through weeds and past other things without getting snagged. The hooks all point to the tail which makes it more snag proof.
Third thing is I think my suckers live longer and swim better without the hook in the mouth. Hope it makes sense to you.
I've put alot of muskies in the boat the last two weeks with this rig
Posted 10/17/2009 9:20 PM (#405262 - in reply to #405074) Subject: Re: Hook placement on a sucker
Location: Illinois
musky psycho rigged to a suzy! I love this rig- it attached to juicy suckers has salvaged a few Fall days when fish wouldn't commit to any lure presentations. Really good hardware, I know because my insane friend makes these. PM me if interested.
Posted 10/18/2009 11:05 AM (#405321 - in reply to #405074) Subject: Re: Hook placement on a sucker
Posts: 49
not a big fan of the rubber band threw the nostrils set up anymore, especially in cold weather, hands get frozen.......but that's just me
i have used the smitty rig (adjustable length) with good success.
i use the smitty when i want a double treble set up and the stealth rig for the single treble
some days it seems the fish are spooky or finicky and don't want a rig with all kinds of hardware hanging from it
i wish stealth would come out with a double treble rig because i like the fluorocarbon leader vs the wire on the smitty
i also have used to use the herbie and maina lift off rigs too, they are nice if you prefer the rubber band style
good luck on the water!
muskihntr
Posted 10/18/2009 1:46 PM (#405362 - in reply to #405074) Subject: RE: Hook placement on a sucker
Due to demand, we have had a 2 hook quick strike harness in the works for a while now. As with everything we make, I like to put it thru a season of use before selling, to make sure all the bugs are worked out. It will be ready to go by the show season along with a few other new products that weve been working on.
Posted 10/18/2009 11:20 PM (#405471 - in reply to #405074) Subject: RE: Hook placement on a sucker
Posts: 20254
Location: oswego, il
I usually put two hooks on. I like the light wire short shank mustads for low weight and easy hookups. I put one between the back of the head and the dorsal and the other through the belly skin. The reason I put it on the bottom vs. the top is that I have had the suckers ride upside down because of the hooks when the sucker gets tired. The light wire hooks give me good hookups and i don't have to do the "knock the hat off my head" hookset.
Hook placement on a sucker
musky psycho rigged to a suzy! I love this rig- it attached to juicy suckers has salvaged a few Fall days when fish wouldn't commit to any lure presentations. Really good hardware, I know because my insane friend makes these. PM me if interested.