<P align=center>FISHING TIP # 161<P align=center>WEEDLESS SALTWATER HOOKS<P align=center>by<P align=center>CAPT KEN ROY
I have a hard time getting soft plastic lures to run straight using the "Texas Rig." I much prefer to rig jerk baits with a weeless hook. I haven't been able to find weedless saltwater hooks so I learned to make my own. Here is one way to make a weedless saltwater hook. I also make 3 other weedless hook rigs using wire.
4/0 Mustad 3407 hook, Weed guard is 80# BigGame, Snell knots are 50# Big Game Solar green.
Notice the knot behind the weedguard. See the forward facing tag end? This is a bait holder for soft plastic and GULP lures. While working for Berkley, I probably taught 10,000 fishermen to tie this rig. (This was my personal idea and not on Berkley's list of topics.)
If your bait tears, you can rotate the back SNELL KNOT 90 degrees and it will find a new griping surface and allow you to catch a few more fish on your lure
I can tie this in less than a minute and cary on a conversation at the same time.
Learn the SNELL KNOT and you can make all kinds of good rigs.