How to Tie a Trailer Hook

Stinger hooks help anglers catch short-biting fish.

Fishermen use trailer hooks when the fish are finicky and hitting their baits, but not engulfing them enough to become hooked. The trailer hook -- also known as a stinger hook -- hangs an inch or less, behind the main hook and is effective at hooking short-striking fish. Anglers primarily tie trailer hooks onto artificial lures like lead-headed jigs. Most commonly used by walleye fishermen -- bass, muskie and northern pike fishermen also use them.

Things You'll Need

• Hook
• Line
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of 12-pound mono-filament fishing line into an 18-inch section.

2. Select a trailer hook. Treble hooks work well, as do single hooks. The trailer hook should be smaller than the main hook.

3. Decide how long you want the trailer hook line to be. Tie an overhand knot, so the distance between the trailer hook and the knot is the length you want the line to be.

4. Hold the knot in one hand, the hook in the other. Make a clockwise motion with your hand holding the hook to form a loop. Move the trailer hook behind and below the loop.

5. Use the point of the hook to pull the line that's behind the loop through the loop. Continue pulling to tighten the line around the main hook. As you hold hold the main hook, the knot should be at the bottom-most part of the hook.

6. Cut the tag end of the line where it attaches to the hook.

References

• Walleyekid.com: Stinger Hook - Tie Your Own

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Iwillknot.com: Overhand Knot
• Animated Knots: The Palomar Knot