I've recently been using spinnerbaits more and more lately and I've tried using the trailer hooks.  I bought a setup that is sold by Strike King with 1/0 hooks and the little plastic tubing.  My one problem is that the cut plastic tubes that comes with it are larger than the spinnerbait hook itself.  Is this the way it's suppose to be? So far i've lost 2 trailer hooks just from the spinner hitting the water took hard.  Any help would be great! Thanks!

I don't use the tubing, but instead just put a little chunk cut off a trick worm on the hook after the trailer.  I have not lost a trailer hook yet.

Andy

I take the tubing cut a small piece, and place it over the eye of the trailer hook.  I then take the spinnerbait hook, and run it through the trailer hook w/tubing.  You can rig it with both hooks pointing up, or with the trailer hook pointing down, i have had success with both.  I know some people favor one way over the other.  

I prefer a free-swinging trailer hook. I just slip the trailer hook's eye over the main hook and then put the piece of tubing on to keep the trailer hook from coming off. You shouldn't be losing hooks from the bait hitting the water. Are you applying the tubing by impaling it on the main hook so the hook cuts right through the diameter? I would think it's very hard to lose hooks this way. Is it possible you're putting the tubing on lengthwise by inserting the hook point through the hole in the tubing?

I have to agree with Marty on this one. The hook goes on first and then take a small section of the tubing and put it over the the main hook (I put the tubing on cross ways). The hook swings freely and I haven't lost a trailer with this technique!    If you're using the tubing that comes with the hooks, keep an eye on it from time to time, it can become brittle and fall apart after some use.

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I thought you were just suppose to thread the main hook through the tube opening....well piercing through it lengthways woud make alot of sense! Thanks guys

Simon,

There are two schools of thought on the use of trailer hooks, other than not using them.

The first is to place the rubber tubing over the trailer hook's eye and then thread it onto your bait's hook.

The second is to place the trailer hook on the bait's hook and then place the rubber tubing, with the open ends facing sideways, onto the bait's hook.

In the first option, the trailer hook is secured and will not move. This means it can act as a "rudder" and cause your bait to run sideways.

In the second option, the trialer hook does not have that much affect on the bait but some say that it reduces the hook-ups as the hook is free to move up, down and sideways as the bait is pulled through the water. You also have to double check the trailer hook as you fish using this method to make sure it does not slip down towards the bait's barb.  If it does, just push it back in place.

In all cases, try using a trailer hook that is one size smaller than the bait's hook.

I use the second option and have not had any hook-up problems that I am aware.

I use trailer hooks on buzzbaits, spinerbaits and Chatterbaits.  I have been know to put one on a topwater frog, too, if the bass are missing the bait when they strike.

NOTE OF IMPORTANCE:  Be very careful when removing the bait's and trailer hooks.  I have had a bass slam the trailer hook through my thumb and had to cut the barb and push the hook out.  Secure the fish and then remove the hooks being mindful that the trailer hook is a danger if the fish is not secured properly.

Ahh, thanks for clarifying Sam! and for the word of warning =D

I've been using the 1/0 Gammy G-Stinger on all my spinnerbaits and have had much improvment in my hook-up ratio. They are a little hard to find but you can always get them from online tackle shops. They are attached by looping the hook through a attached cord on to the baits main hook. Do a seach and you will see how to attach them. they work great on fluke type baits and horny toads type baits also.