Removing middle trebles

[panger]

How effective is removing the middle treble at avoiding snags? I know it will cost a few fish here and there but my lure replacement costs over the last couple of weeks is getting very depressing. I'm fishing flats scattered with lure loving rocks.

[Bream Addict]

ij ot sure how much it affects lure loss, i take the middle treb off my strike pros so they still float witha n owner on them, ive only mised a cuple more hook-ups than usual,havent lost any yet either which may be a good sign

[Karl]

panger,

I replace the middle treble with a VMC Double (size 10).

The Double hook replaces the treble and the split ring. So the two double hooks face upwards and sit either side of the lures body, nicely tucked out of the way of snags, and there's no hook facing straight down looking for the next rock you bounce your lure across.

When a bream hits the lure in the middle the hooks bounce out and (usually) result in a hook up. I've pulled quite a few fish out hooked by the middle double hook. The great thing is I definitely noticed a reduced number of snags, and haven't really noticed any reduction of hook ups.

Also the balance and weight of the lure is maintained with a hook there rather than removed completely.

..... the only problem is that small Double hooks seem really hard to find in tackle stores. So if you manage to locate any please contact me as I would like to buy some more. Actually if anyone reading this post knows where I can get size 8 or 10 Double hooks please contact me as I would really like to replenish my tackle box

One other way to achieve this sort of effect is to clip the downward facing treble hook off with some pliers (but the actual double hooks sit 100% better as there's no split ring to mess with the way they tuck under the lure).

I hope this is of some help

Cheers

Karl