We always snell both hooks. Use larger beads like a 8mm. 3 of those should fit between your treble and your single with little to no room for movement if you're tying them right. This does two things:
1) Doesn't give the Salmon room to chomp down on the line and crack you off.
2) Doesn't allow your line to end up in the bottom of your treble.
Like Scott mentioned above the bottom of your Octopus hook should sit half way across the eye of your treble.
I just bought a new GoPro last week. Maybe, if I remember tonight, I'll do a little video tutorial. But please no one show that Silver Coyote guy who keeps posting above!
Since Scott opened his big mouth I'll concur......VMC Spark Point 4x #2 is what we've been running for about 4 seasons. You WONT ever bend one out.
Andy Bliss brought them on the boat at the Spring Tightlines to try out. That weekend we caught about 80 mean Canadian Salmon, and I don't remember losing more than a couple. I was very impressed.
That being said I know Tom Allen worked hard on developing his own hook for his flies just a couple years back. He's a tinkering fool, and I'm sure they are worth a try. I have a hard time leaving something once I build confidence in it, or else I'd be running them.
You don't give yourself enough credit! You've fished hard for the last few years, and I've seen all the fish you catch on Facebook. One thing I took from Mr. Felluca a long time ago was that fishing tournaments makes you a better fisherman. You will learn a lot more on the days you get your butt handed to you than the days you go out and smoke them. Fishing out of the same port, and doing the same thing, every weekend can put you in a comfort zone.
I'm running the 688 Ice machine. Never ran the 597. But you have noted the two major differences in your post for those units. One other is the 688 comes with the 3 pre-set buttons for your favorite screens.
Check out the new HELIX Units from Humminbird. Very reasonably priced units.
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-5-SONAR-GPS/
http://www.basspro.com/Humminbird-Helix-5-Fishfinder-and-Chartplotter/product/1409251012/
I am listing this for a buddy. Please contact him with any questions. He is asking $300
http://www.amazon.com/Panther-550100A-Electro-Steering-Model/dp/B005IGTOVC
Please call Josh @ 585-683-2495
I am listing this for a buddy. Please contact him with any questions. He is asking $400
http://www.cmcmarineproducts.com/products/Outboard-Tilt-and-Trim/CMC-Tilt-and-Trim/CMC-PT-35-Tilt-and-Trim-for-up-to-35-HP
Please call Josh @ 585-683-2495
I think sometimes you guys just over think these fish. Our A-TOM-MIK Torpedos are lead colored. Some may have a little black paint on top, but the bottom is lead. As for DDs some of the top guys on the lake are running bright colored ones. For the longest time my favorite was Metallic Purple. Now a days you'll usually see a black one, and a colored one rigged up on our ride.
Pants or panties?
Scott - if there are enough people interested by all means we can run as many as you want. I have no issues running a $250 and a $100 for the Pro division.