[Flynn-S.]

I have been using Smack It Poppers that have a treble hook in the middle and a treble on the tail. Just about every blue I get is mauled by these hooks making a healthy catch and release difficult.
What are my options for switching hooks? Can I remove the middle treble without effect retrieve? Can I replace the tail treble with a single hook?

Thanks,

 

[snichols]

Flynn-S,

I remove the middle hook on all of my poppers and swimming plugs, without much effect on swimming action.

I do this for two reasons, first to stop the fish from getting hurt badly and secondly to stop me from getting hurt worse. This is true especially at night, since it's already hard to handle a struggling fish in the dark, having multiple sets of trebles flying around is not a great scenario.

I have never tried to replace with a single hook but I'm sure that it would work.

 

[duff]

I remove the middle treble on my poppers and replace the tail hook with a single hook tied with bucktail. Most fish will inhale a popper so hook up usually is not a problem. Unhooking is greatly simplified so if you're in a blitz you're back in action quickly. Bucktail gives the plug a nice tail and really enhances the presentaion.

Duff

 

[sic yakker]

I agree with Duff on the bucktail for the rear hook on poppers. It does seem to make a great difference.