Siwash hooks!

[Long time fisherman]

Do you folks that use Siwash hooks notice any difference in hookups?

[Sk8man]

Yes yes and Yes I switched most of my spoons to Mustad 9510 xxx stainless siwash singles about 30 years ago, continue to do so, and never looked back. I know everyone here has their own personal preferences but what I found early on is that with trebles the fish (especially large fish with the weaker type trebles) can work the trebles out of their mouths by pressing down on the two disengaged hooks freeing the third engaged hook and getting free. I seldom (almost never) lose fish on spoons with these singles. I leave stick baits alone as the balance can be touchy. The trouble now is that Mustad seems to have stopped making those particular hooks and now seems to be concentrating on the larger salt water hooks. There are other very good single  hooks on the market but the points tend to be shorter in length so I still prefer the Mustads. Luckily, I switched over over the years with well over a thousand spoons so I'm still in good shape (Owner, Gamakatsu, and VMC also make quality hooks)

Edited September 13, 2023 by Sk8man

[Long time fisherman]

"Well over a thousand spoons" LOL!!🤣 I would say you're pritty much sold on single hooks!! 💯

[Trouthunter]

LOVE THEM HAVE SWITCHED ALL OF MY SPOONS TO GAMAKATSU  SIWASH 30 YEARS AGO & HAVE NEVER BEEN SORRY BETTER HOOK-UPS & LESS DAMAGE ON THE FISH I WANT TO RELEASE

[sherman brown]

I haven't been disappointed when using them. but I don't go to all the trouble of changing them out. but if I buy anything with them already on I don't change them because they have always worked great for me. actually, I like the 1 hook over treble hooks for getting the hook out of the fish and in some cases the net. 

[Sk8man]

Ditto on being much easier to release fish with singles (just grab shaft of hook with needle nose pliers and a twist of the wrist while fish still in the water) and fewer problems (perhaps none) getting tangled in the net.

[Earl28]

When you change to single hook what size hook do you recommend for the different size spoons. Thanks

[Sk8man]

Usually I use size 1/0 for small spoons, 2/0 for mediums, and 2 or 3/0 for magnum sized spoons. Sometimes there are differences between manufacturers on hook sizes though so these refer to the Mustads By the way the hooks I use are open ended so it is just a matter of clenching carefully with pliers to attach them. With Suttons I cut the treble right off and replace on the existing solid ring.

Edited September 29, 2023 by Sk8man

[LongLine]

I've been changing trebles to singles for close to 50 yrs.  I use 3/0 Gammys on 28 size spoons.  Point the hook towards the cup side of the spoon.  I've found the get a much more solid hookup; are easier to sharpen; don't get caught in net; are easier to remove from carpet flooring as well as easier to remove from fingers.  (heh, heh, heh)

[HB2]

If one of the trebles hits bone good , the fish ain't getting off . I don't like anything smaller than a 1/0 . The Mags have 2/0 trebs that come stock. My soft brown rods , different story . 

 

I find that  I tend to drop a lot more on  my dipsys with 1/0 trebs and 28 size spoons . I have dedicated dipsy spoons I replaced with single hooks . The 2/0 mags no problem . 

 

I think the action on the spoons is a little more eratic with a treb . 

[Sai]

I've only used siwash while casting spoons for salmon on shore, and I swear by them. I practically change all my spoons to them. Ever since I changed to them, the amount of fish I lost was virtually zero (minus line breakoffs and really bad net jobs). I can't imagine it would be too different being used for trolling spoons and other lures. I use size 1/0 only and it has been so much easier to remove the hook from fish's mouth and the net. Does less damage to the fish while still being so secure.

[nickihoyboy]

I tried switching a few spoons to Gamakatsu siwash hooks this year for the first time. I run mostly magnum spoons during my three week fishing vacation in July and August and do a lot of fishing solo so I figured I’d give them a try for a lot of the reasons mentioned previously. I wasn’t sure what size to order so I bought some 4/0 and some 5/0 hooks hoping that big 5/0 wouldn’t affect the spoon’s action. First spoon I tried was a Moonshine magnum Carbon-14 and, wouldn’t you know it, the first hit was a miss! I decided to give it more of a try and boy am I glad I did! Hookups have been solid and it seems like once that single is buried there’s nothing to shake it loose. They hook and hold, they’re relatively easy to remove from the fish (especially important when releasing fish), they don’t get tangled in the net, and they don’t get tangled up when putting them with other spoons, which can be damn frustrating. So I’m a convert, albeit a recent one, and a lot of my spoons have been switched to singles. I haven’t noticed any effect on the spoon action with either the 5/0 or the 4/0.

Just as an aside: anyone switching or replacing hooks might want to buy a pair of the green handle split ring pliers from Texas Tackle. They work awesome on most any size split rings and make switching hooks a breeze. I did buy the open eye siwash hooks, but with those pliers I wouldn’t worry about buying closed eye hooks either.

[LongLine]

When using the Gammies open eye, just close them down a little.  They make a big difference.