Question for trollers
horsehunter
Posted 2/20/2012 9:10 AM (#539896)
Subject: Question for trollers




Location: Eastern Ontario		What is your favourite weed guard for running ahead of your leader? I have used a large treble with the points cut off but have put one through my hand also some CO's could count it as a barbless hook and put you over the limit.
Jerry Newman
Posted 2/20/2012 12:42 PM (#539947 - in reply to #539896)
Subject: RE: Question for trollers




Location: 31

Hi Frank,

I started out with hanging a treble hook to snag the weeds, then when it got full it would help to "bump off weeds", that worked okay.

I always hated that rig though and started using a three-way brass swivel in place of the standard barrel swivel, I got pretty leery of that three-way brass connection though.

So the last couple of years I've been using 2 BB swivels connected together with a HD split ring, then I just hang a large crosslock snap from the split ring to help bump the weeds off.  I also leave the tag end of the wire leader hanging out about ½” at both connections as an extra measure of protection.

Otherwise, there is a plastic looking deal that slips over your line, but for sure the best way to keep weeds off is stick the rod tips in the water whenever possible.

 

CU301DSV
Posted 2/20/2012 1:01 PM (#539957 - in reply to #539896)
Subject: Re: Question for trollers





Posts: 906


Location: Canada		PM Mike Parker, he makes a weed guard that works pretty good.
JBush
Posted 2/20/2012 2:43 PM (#539987 - in reply to #539957)
Subject: Re: Question for trollers




Posts: 311


Location: Ontario		Frank, with the points cut off I think you'd be fine having that treble up front.
Remember, the law counts actual hook points to see if somethings legal or not. With the points cut off all you have is a hook eye and three hook shanks. Basically some wire with a hole to attach it to your line. I bend mine out in different directions and it's still the best thing I've used for catching floaters and for blowing holes in the weed to get your bait thru. If CO wants to count wire loops, wire shafts, hook eyes, loops etc, pretty much every lure in the box would be illegal. Your weed catcher has no hook points or hook barbs and has clearly been 'disarmed' for an application that has nothing to do with hooking a fish. You sharpen the hooks on the lure with a file to a needle point for one purpose and completely remove the sharp stuff to do another job. I would gladly show up in court to fight this if any CO wanted to make an issue of it with me. With the points and barbs cut off a treble hook is just a piece of wire with a loop, no different than a bottom bouncer, solid wire jerkbait leader or bucktail shaft IMO. If the cut portions are sharp just knock the edges off with your file. I've jabbed myself too after cutting the points off and not smoothing off the cut before fishing (solid wire tags are bad for this too). Any hooks I cut out of fish I save for weed catchers rather than tossing them.