Stinger hooks

[Slayer]

Anyone know of any good online resources for instructions on tieing a trailing stinger hook? I'm looking to add a second hook in a long bunny tail. Any advice would be appreciated.

Do you think they help hook more short striking fish?
Do they get in the way and cause a release mess?
Mono or wire and what lb test?
Both hook facing down or one up and one down?
Shorter hook in rear or same size or larger?

[Cary]

I quit using stinger hooks becuase they hooked me more than the fish. But a good way to use a stinger is tie in a loop of coated wire, say 14 lb test, and loop-to-loop an up-eye hook, like a Gamakatsu or Owner octapus hook.

That way, after you tire of hooking yourself, you can remove the stinger hook and still fish the fly. Plus, the loop of wire helps keep the fur from fouling around the hookbend.

BTW, when you think you're being short struck (that light tap-tap-tap), give some slack, and wham, fish on. Typically, the fish is trying to suck in the fly, but since its on a tight line, the fly 'aint being sucked....

[Ouzel]

Of course stinger hooks will help but they are not generally for casting; mostly trolling as there is sometimes the problem of the second hook whiping around and catching the first part of the fly or tippet.

If you want to add a second hook tie it on with 20 lb. mono using a regular knot to secure it to the line. If you use a loop you will have a problem with the second hook riding straight down or up. Put your first hook in your vice and decide how far back you want the hook to trail. Rough up the mono, make sure the second hook is riding the way want and super glue it in place. Then wrap it down with your tieing thread.

Size of the second hook? Same size as the first to no less then half the size of the first. ????

If using a bunny tail another way is to use limp 10 lb. mono tied in the same way to the first hook, then run the second hook through the leather and out.

Short Strikers! Often fish will hit a smaller fish to injure it, if you get a tap/hit to your fly let it go limp/dead; if you're in a current feed line out and quiver the rod tip. Works sometimes and you'll catch the fish sometimes but that's what fishing is about 'sometimes'.

[dsw]

Stingers will only add damage to the fish, and the fisherman.... Not good, use a stop for short strikers and they'll hit it.

[Ouzel]

and you might as well use the treble hooks with the little spring around the shank so you can add some power bait. So what if you damage the mouth a bit we're gonna eat the thing anyway. :-)

[nightfish]

If you're gonna go big and want a stinger, use a circle hook. It'll cause less (very little, actually) damage than a standard hook, won't easily hook yourself on accident, and has the benefit of gaining hookups when you get lazy or overcome by the scenery.

And I agree with Cary. Make it convertible by adding a wire loop. That way you can add the extra steel or remove it at will, and you can place the hook point up or down...

Loop a piece of wire, feed it thru the eye, and measure out the length of loop you'll want. Now secure the loop end topside, and the open end to the underside of the shank. Trim any excess wire & cover the tags with thread. Now you're set to start dressing the fly.

When you're ready to fish with a stinger, thread the loop through the eye of the second hook,(decide which way you want the point to go...either way at this stage),and move the eye up the wire far enough that you can push the bend thru the loop. Then, slide the hook back down the loop to tighten it. It'll bind tight just fine, and removes as easily as installed.

[Fishin' Junkie]

I use stingers on my larger 3"-5" streamers this time of year. I use spider wire, and a loop connection over the eye. It takes a little time, but IMO is worth it! I use Owner "wacky worming" hooks that you can find in any bass store, or even walmart.

Stingers work well for steelhead flies too! Those fish are hard enough to catch, so I figure I'll try to put the odds in my favor. Barbless of course!!!

Fish on!

FJ