Treble hook replacement to single hooks.

[DanMarino]

You just need the front hook. In-line single hook works fine. Even with treble hooks, almost all Whopper Plopper bass are hooked on the front. Back hook is not needed.

[bassguy84]

First project completed. I couldn't help myself putting the back one on. If I don't get any hooked up on it (mainly fishing striper) Im going to pull it off. Thanks for everyone's feedback.

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[DanMarino]

Gshappell, can you take photos of the fish you catch on your modified plopper and post them for us?
I'm guessing you will find the fish hooked in the mouth with the front in-line hook.

[Mark]

bassguy84,

I've never fished a Whopper Plopper so I have no experience in how fish hit that lure. Logically, I would think that prop spinning in the back may deter a fish from cleanly hitting the rear hook. I do know that many who convert top water baits to inline hooks omit one or more of the hooks. One advantage omitting the middle hook(s) is that the lure body itself becomes a handle you can use to subdue the fish boat side. You can actually grab the popper body without fear of getting hooked.

I removed the middle hook on traditional top water poppers for that reason:

Trebles1A.jpg

Each of the above have caught plenty of fish.

I also turn the hook point down and I dress the hook. No specific reason on that. I think either way will work. But I tie top water flies with the point down so I merely copied that.

For subsurface baits I replace both hooks and turn the rear hook point up with the mid-body hook point down of course.

Trebles2.jpg

No specific reason for that either. However, it may expand the width of the actual hooking gap of the lure somewhat.

Now that you've made the switch, I doubt you'll go back to using trebles. I don't know why lure makers fail to offer more choices with inline hooks. Most likely it's to satisfy the general public who believes trebles are necessary. I have seen some saltwater lures offered with inline hooks but none for freshwater that I recall.

[nhunter344]

Pretty sure they are almost always front hooked.

That's been my experience for the most part. Front/middle treble in the lip and the rear treble usually buried somewhere like the gills or eye. I converted most of my tackle to inline hooks but haven't really had a chance to get out and experiment much.

[ronaultmtd]

Caught a bunch a couple of trips ago on my bone colored 3 1/2 inch whopper Plopper...some on the front hook, some on the rear hook...had the lure knocked three feet out of the water and inhaled when it landed by 29 inch striper...both hooks were in that one...

[DanMarino]

Cool story Ron. That would be all sorts of fun!