Rigging hooks on your GT lures? Want to increase your hookup ratio and cause less damage to the fish at the same time? You should Baker rig.<\/p>\n
This way of rigging hooks to GT plugs was developed more than a decade ago by gun guide Tim Baker, thus the name.<\/p>\n
Tim was guiding for Nomad Sport Fishing in Australia when he developed this way of rigging two single hooks onto the belly swivel of his GT plugs. Thanks to Tim, until today we all are reaping the benefits of this hook rig.<\/p>\n
The Baker rig is one of the many ways to rig up hooks on your topwater plug, popper or stickbait.<\/p>\n
It consists of 2 single hooks connected by a cable tie (or cable ties) facing opposite directions at the belly, then a large single hook at the tail. Totaling 3 hook points on 1 lure.<\/p>\n
Some use the double hooks at the tail end as well, but the traditional rig is the double at the belly and a large single at the tail.<\/p>\n
There are several ways to rig your topwater lures for saltwater fishing and every rig has their advantages and disadvantages. But recently I\u2019ve been recommending the Baker rig a lot to my friends and clients for a number of reasons.<\/p>\n
Firstly, and most important is\u2026<\/p>\n
Both for the angler and the fish. Treble hooks may have been the traditional way of rigging lures, but time and experience have proven to all of us that they are very harmful to the fish taking the lures they are attached to.<\/p>\n
6 pointy ends cause irreparable damage to the fish, especially when swallowed. These same sharp points will be flying around the deck of the boat when a landed fish thrash around. Not a good situation to be in.<\/p>\n
Overall, using this rig allows us to remove the hooks and release the fish faster while decreasing the chances of accidental hookups with hands. A win-win situation in my books.<\/p>\n
The baker rig utilizes large single hooks that are less likely to pull open under pressure, versus traditional trebles.<\/p>\n
The physics are hard to explain but basically, less hook points equals less anchor points for opposing forces that are pushing and pulling. And there will be plenty of opposing forces throughout the duration of the battle.<\/p>\n
Traditional rigging with trebles almost always results in multiple hooks penetrating the fish\u2019s mouth or face. The Baker rig\u2019s 3 hook points decrease these chances by 50% versus traditional trebles.<\/p>\n
Lastly, treble hooks require \u201cwelding\u201d or a bonding process to attach the 3 hooks together as one. This procedure increases heat exposure to the metals, thus causing more stress. Single hooks on the other hand require less handling, making them a truly stronger alternative.<\/p>\n
So, expect a decrease of lost fish due to hooks bending open when utilizing the Baker rig on your lures.<\/p>\n
Good quality treble hooks are expensive. That\u2019s a fact. Single hooks cost a lot less.<\/p>\n
Apart from being a cheaper option, you can utilize them for your jigging assists. Hitting two birds with one stone.<\/p>\n
Zip ties or cable ties are cheap and can be found easily at any hardware trade store.<\/p>\n
Not a lot to explain here. The value proposition is just too good.<\/p>\n
As with everything in life and fishing, it\u2019s not always \u2018milk and honey\u2019. There are some disadvantages to this setup too, but it\u2019s just nitpicking at this point.