How to Fish With Treble Hooks

Some fishermen prefer using treble hooks.

Some fishermen believe their chance of hooking and holding a fish, eventually landing or boating it, is increased by using a three-pronged hook, or treble hook, instead of a conventional fishing hook which has only one point and barb. Trebles are commonly used on artificial lures and not so commonly used when fishing with bait. They are also used by fishermen in areas where snagging fish is legal.

Things You'll Need

• Treble hook
• Split ring
• Split ring pliers
• Barrel sinker
• Slip sinker
• Rod and reel

Instructions

Bait Fishing

1. Tie a treble hook to the end of your fishing line using a palomar or Trilene knot.

2. Attach a float to the line if you want to keep the bait suspended at a specific depth. The float also serves as a strike indicator.

3. Attach a barrel sinker to the line if you want the bait to be presented to the fish near or on the bottom.

4. Impale the bait onto one or more points of the treble hook.

5. Use a rod and reel to cast the bait to a likely area and wait for a bite.

Trebles on Lures

1. Use a pair of split-ring pliers to pry open a split ring so it can be wound onto the eye of the treble hook.

2. Use a pair of split-ring pliers to pry open the split ring once again so it can also be wound onto the hook attachment ring on an artificial lure.

3. Use a rod and reel to cast the treble-equipped lure to a likely spot, retrieve the lure, making it appear to be alive and hope for a strike.

Snagging

1. Attach the treble hook to a fishing line using a snell knot, but do not trim the tag end of the knot once the snell knot is finished.

2. Attach a barrel sinker to the tag end of the line used to tie the treble hook to the line so the sinker dangles a few inches below the hook.

3. Use a rod and reel to cast the sinker and hook to an area you suspect a fish is holding and retrieve using sweeping jerks of the rod with the hope of snagging a fish.

Tips & Warnings

• Removing a treble hook from a fish is often harder than removing a single-point hook. Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to expedite the chore and to keep your fingers from being accidentally stuck by one or more of the hook’s points.

• Fishing regulations vary from state to state and even in different areas of the same state. Many states regulate when, where, what size and whether treble hooks are allowed. Snag fishing is only legal in a few areas for a few species of fish. Be sure to check the regulations to ensure you remain in compliance when using treble hooks.

References

• Net Knots: Fishng Knot Basics

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish