When do you guys use a trailer over a trailer hook? My secondary question is related to the trailer hook, with lethargic fish or colder water, would you opt for a trailer hook? My assumption is that colder water means shorter strikes.

I'm guessing that your referring to spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

  I rarely throw either without a trailer. Be it a twin tailed spinnerbait trailer, or a certain grub,.... But for trailer hooks? I usually don't add one, unless I'm fishing a tournament, or have missed several strikes in a row.

I am with Keith on this, but sometimes I use the trailer hooks to stabilize the bait in the water

I have been getting my spinnerbaits custom made, and began making my own this winter. One thing i have always done or had done is leave a few strands of skirt material full length from the tie or band.  This works 2 fold, it acts like a trailer, and helps hide a trailer hook. Unless im throing into weeds or tight cover i always run a stinger hook. 

 

I always use a trailer.  I often use both at the same time.

I always use a trailer hook if I'm fishing a trailer. I'll use a trailer hook by itself occasionally, especially if I'm fishing where I might run into spots or smallmouth. 

I also use a trailer and trailer hook most of the time, especially on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

It depends on the situation. My first reaction to combating short strikes is to add a trailer hook. There may be times I'll catch a few that are just barely hooked or lose a few fish and if that's the case I add a trailer hook. When I add a trailer, it's usually in the situation where the fish are just bumping at it. I feel that changing the profile slightly sometimes helps them to commit a bit better. 

I generally  use spinnerbaits as is . Rarely use a trailer or trailer hook . On a light weight spinner I may use a trailer for added weight {half a stickworm} . On buzzbaits I use trailer hooks about half the time .

I always use a trailer, more times than not it's a white fluke.

If throwing in clear or very scattered vegetation I'll use a stinger. 

 

 

 

Mike 

On my spinner baits I use a trailer, usually a paddle tail, and a trailer hook.  For some reason the fish in the lakes I fish really like short striking.  I tried shortening the skirts, down sizing, slow rolling, and popping it, and still got short strikes.  I put on the trailer hook and my catch rate went way up!  Pardon the pun, but I'm hooked on trailer hooks.

 

I don't use any trailer baits.  Never have.  I ALWAYS use a trailer hook, though.  Spinnerbaits are one of my staple baits. 

I will add a trailer hook when I get short strikes. Based on the replies here though, I may just have to leave it on 24/7.

I always throw a spinnerbait with a Trailer hooks on it. 70% of them hit on the trailer hooks. 

 

When I started throwing chatterbaits, I added the trailer hooks on it to see if it would improve. 

Intend, It did improve my catch...so trailer hooks are must for those two "moving baits".  

 

I throw War Eagle spinners, and their skirts are cut to resemble a built-in trailer.

Although I never add a trailer, I 'always' add a trailer hook, yup even in the Florida slop.

 

Roger

Ditto

 

 

 

Mike

I never use a trailer unless the bait came with it. Why add something to the bait that the bass can nip at away from the hook?That's just my $0.02.

 

But I ALWAYS use a trailer hook on spinner/buzzbaits. People who don't use them will say they aren't useful, but they can't know because they don't have one on. They have no idea how many fish are striking short that they can't catch. I've caught an awful lot of bass on the trailer hook.

 

 

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

I don't use any trailer baits.  Never have.  I ALWAYS use a trailer hook, though.  Spinnerbaits are one of my staple baits. 

Do you use spinnerbait specific hooks or open eye siwash hooks? Does it matter?

 

I never use a trailer on a spinnerbait, but always use a trailer hook.

'And there you have it folks, another testimonial to individual preference and confidence.'  The pros will recommend this or that when it comes to what, where, when and how to use a particular bait and I let that information whirl around that empty space between my ears where it normally gets lost.  I've been reverting back to the K.I.S.S. line of thinking for just about all lure choices.