I've heard of lots of people doing really well fishing dead minnows in the shallows of local lakes for some really big fish and I was just wondering what the prefered way to rig them up was? I've heard about putting a small treble in the mouth and then out the eyes and jaw, but It can't cast very far and you get the best hookset when you let the fish swallow the minnow completly, very hard to catch and realease. I was just wondering if there were any other effective ways to rig up minnows for trout that would easier permit C&R and get them to stay on the hook a little better. I was thinking some sort of stinger to hook on the back end, but I've really had no experience and am just brainstorming. Thanks alot
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ok first of all a stinger hook will just hook deeper than a singel hook will..
the best way to hook up a minnow for C/R fishing is to use a circle hook. that will keep the hook from going to deep..
rig the minnow putting the hook through the minnow by the tail pulling it all the way through the tail and then go through the head part of the minnow.. now with it set up like that you can cast as fare as you like.. and the hook will not go to deep in the fish.. 99.99% of the time circle hooks hook a fish in the corner of the mouth.. you just cant jerk the poll like you would with a straight hook. all you have to do is pick up the poll and start reeling and the fish is hooked.. it's also a great hook for kidds for the same reason..
there are lot's of ways to rig a minnow.. i did do a wright up on it and TD has as well.. not sure where they are but it's some good reading..
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Ron, here are your rigging instructions:
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=204595;search_string=rigging%20minnows;#204595"]Click here:[/url]
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Hey all do you guys find it is better to rig the through the tail or the head when dragging along behind a tube?
Thanks
Majja
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Just behind the gill plates. [cool]
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well the fish will try and swallow the minnow head first.. it might take the minnow tail first but will turn it and swallow head first..
so if you have very aggresave fish putting tail hook it will keep ya from getting a gut hook..
on the flip side fish like browns that are hook shy putting the hook up close to the head well help ya get more hook set's..
as Flycaster said place the hook up by the gill plate. or if the minnows are going soft i put it through the gill plate it holds the minnow in place better..
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