Calling all problem solvers...bait hook question

With ling and halibut seasons upon us I've been thinking about rigging for these beasts once again.  This post is mostly geared toward ling rigs.

I like to fish for lings with bait.  Either herring or live greenling.  I've found the best way to rig either is with a treble hook.  Two points in the flesh of the side, and one sticking up.  Works great.  Problem is, we can't use trebles in the sound (only coastal areas can in WA). 

So it's a perpetual issue, getting a regular J hook to stand up.  If you just thread the hook under the skin with the shank against the  flesh, it inevitably lays down against the bait and it becomes harder to get the hook set properly (particularly a problem with greenling).

I've tried various things to try to get the hook to stand up.  Zip ties, rubber bands, and even what's pictured...a short length of semi-sturdy wire looped around the eye with "arms" sticking out the side.  This seems like it would work but doesn't.  I've tried both pushing the wire into the flesh (it just pulls out) and leaving it on top.  The problem is the part of the hook threaded under the skin "rides up" so that the skin is under the bend and not the shank.  So the arms are off the body and don't get a chance to brace the hook.

I know a simple solution exists, I just can't think it up myself.  And since you guys are so crafty I thought you might have some ideas!

Are you fishing with 2 hooks?  One at the front and a trailer?  And are we talking about the trailer?  What are you doing with the front hook?

-Allen

Are you fishing with 2 hooks?  One at the front and a trailer?  And are we talking about the trailer?  What are you doing with the front hook?

-Allen

Last season and the beginning of this one I have been fishing a 2-dropper rig, 1 hook on each dropper.  The top dropper hook will either have a herring or large plastic grub, and the bottom a herring or a greenling.  I secure the bait's mouth to a swivel with a duo-lock snap (greenling) or a small ziptie (herring) so as to not waste a hook securing the front of the bait. 

So I'm just trying to figure out the best way to affix a hook to the body of the bait.  Not so worried about the front as that problem is solved.

What if you just take a treble hook and cut two of the points off so that you have little bent arms sticking out the side?  Also Mustad makes a live bait hook that incorporates a needle, I have no clue how to rig them or what they are called but they might work. 

not a bad idea

How about something like a bridle?

Ever try bridling the bait with rigging floss with the hook completely exposed?

-Allen

Tie a 2 hook non sliding mooching rig with dual egg loops. Slide the tail of the bait through the egg loop on the trailing hook(hook stays free), and put the top hook through just the collar skin of the greenling(not all the way through its flesh) and slide the other egg loop over its head. For herring, just stick the top hook all the way through its head

Ever try bridling the bait with rigging floss with the hook completely exposed?

-Allen

No but that's an interesting idea

Tie a 2 hook non sliding mooching rig with dual egg loops. Slide the tail of the bait through the egg loop on the trailing hook(hook stays free), and put the top hook through just the collar skin of the greenling(not all the way through its flesh) and slide the other egg loop over its head. For herring, just stick the top hook all the way through its head

egg loop.  I like it!!

Wonder if a modified dropshot rig could work. This is a long video but around 6 minutes he gives a nice detailed description of it.


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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How about taking treble hook and grind the points flat flat on two hooks.  Heat those two hooks up red hot and roll the tips with need nose pliers to make eyes on each.  Then lay these eyes over the ridge of the fish (leaving hook facing up) and push a wire or tooth pick through one eye, through the fish, out the other eye.

How about taking treble hook and grind the points flat flat on two hooks.  Heat those two hooks up red hot and roll the tips with need nose pliers to make eyes on each.  Then lay these eyes over the ridge of the fish (leaving hook facing up) and push a wire or tooth pick through one eye, through the fish, out the other eye.

I like that. Plus it sounds like fun to make.

How about taking treble hook and grind the points flat flat on two hooks.  Heat those two hooks up red hot and roll the tips with need nose pliers to make eyes on each.  Then lay these eyes over the ridge of the fish (leaving hook facing up) and push a wire or tooth pick through one eye, through the fish, out the other eye.

That's basically a bridle.