Assist hook on a plug

[Reel Time]

 Been reading around, and some peoples are taking off the trebles, and going with an assist. Most also combine a single hook on the tail too, but I'm gonna start off with just an assist coming off my mainline and see where that goes. Works with jigging,,,

 Most claim a better hook up ratio.

 Being the hook is not attached to the lure, it won't matter if its through wired, heavy duty, super duty, or not, and this will truly open the door to tons of plugs, basically unlimited on what you want to use. I bet it would even work with a spoon!

 If it works out, it's a plus all around, easier on the fish, and easier on you with out the extra hook flying around your hand. Time will tell, and hopefully i'll be able to tell soon.

[Hotrod]

But doesn't the Hooks have something to do with it's swimming action.  Do you think removing them will change anything?

[Reel Time]

But doesn't the Hooks have something to do with it's swimming action.  Do you think removing them will change anything?

 I have no clue Rod,, maybe one of our plug builders will chime in on that one.

[Hotrod]

I would also Think.. When Tuna are in a top water feeding frenzy..  I'd bet they'd hit one of Joe's Kitchen spoons

[Reel Time]

lol, I was wondering if anyone would catch that

[BigAl13]

It all depends on the type of plug. A plug with a lip the hooks will only affect the balance of the plug by that the angle of which it sits while being idle, I dont think it will affect the motion of the lure. Easy substitute would be to add a tail of some sort with a split shot to balance the weight. A spook type like the one pictured may need the hook weight to hold it in the correct orientation what i mean is even with a belly weight in the plug alot of time the weight winds up in the middle of the plug so you need the hooks too keep the belly down and the back up, probably would only make a difference with two color plugs ie. white belly black back. i like the idea of this and it reminds me alot of my FILs plug he pat-tend Im currently looking for a plastic company to produce this for us and with Rods permission NJSWF will be the first available market for it. I think Im close with my thoughts about this but Im sure some of the other guys will have there own

[Hotrod]

[FishOn]

My question is, are you really dropping that many fish where it requires that you do this? I upgrade most of my plugs to at least 4x with heavier split rings. I think that having an assist hook dangling off the nose of a plug would be similar to having a piece of grass on there. It will affect the action. If you toss it into a blitz it probably won't matter but try slow crawling a swimmer along a jetty for bass and it probably won't help you catch more. You can only hook em if they take a swipe at it to begin with. Jigs work well with an assist because a good portion of strikes will occur on the drop which has the hook fluttering behind it anyway.

[Reel Time]

 I dont have plans on the assist and trebles for missed hits,,, assist only. It would be fished as you see it pictured. I hate having extra hooks flying around if not needed.

 One simple assist and thats it, easier on the fish and safer for me. i already have a hook scar from 30 years ago on my wrist, don't need another if i can help it.

 Just came across it in my endless hours of surfing the interwebs. It appears alot of guys are going this route and figured what the hell, might as well give it a shot too. I have a load of 4x vmc 3/0 trebles in my box if they need to be put into action.

But,,,

 Rod had to go and bring up the whole swimming action thingy,

[Hotrod]

   I love the idea.. since now I can throw my mikes plugs.  We will give it a try for sure

[Bucktail]

I've considered it. But, until I get a couple of topwater tunas under my belt I'll stick to having one treble on the belly and either another treble or single hook on the rear.

However, I will watch you like my guinea pig and take many notes. 

[FishOn]

If it works than that is great. Alot of my plugs only have a treble on the belly and no hook or a hookless flag on the rear. Hooking yourself really sucks. I mash most barbs down as I find this is easiest to remove from fish and myself. If I'm meat fishing then I keep them barbed.