It’s a common occurrence. You hook a fish using a hard bait equipped with treble hooks; the fish starts thrashing around, and then it’s gone. Treble hook-equipped lures (e.g., crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters) usually use a single split ring to attach hooks to the bait but but not as effective at keeping fish buttoned as their single hook counterparts. Brett Chapman reveals a simple solution to improve your hook-to-land ratio and maximize catches.
SPLIT RING SUPPLIES (retail links)
Instead of settling for the conventional single split ring on baits, Chapman recommends the adding an extra one. The reason is simple physics. With a single split ring, fish can only twist so far before the bait catches and locks up. This limitation often results in the hook tearing the soft part of a fish’s mouth, leading to lost catches.
However, by adding an extra split ring, Chapman demonstrates that it allows the fish to twist beyond 360° without locking up. This simple adjustment reduces fish leverage and hook tear. Furthermore, positioning the hook slightly farther from the bait enhances hookup ratios without compromising the bait’s action.
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