Large Softbait Stinger hook Ethics

[manansalsa]

What are some of the best practices to keep the fish safe when rigging stingers on large softbaits (10"+)? What's the farthest back on the bait you would put a stinger hook? I remember seeing Greg Blanchard throwing a 6" hudd with a treble on the tail, is stuff like that safe for the fish? And finally, what are some rigs that you should absolutely not do?

[168 Rookie]

Check Tactical Bassin's more recent stinger vids; Matt Allen says he no longer uses the stinger, finds the jig hook is fine because the  big fish we're after generally eat the bait whole, not tail-nip. He recommends though that if you must run a stinger, run it along the back to right behind the dorsal fin. The bottom stinger is a killer, it can hook the fish way down in the gullet and in their gills. I'll try to find and post the exact vid where he goes into it.

[168 Rookie]

Found it:

 

 

 

 

[frankthedog]

Pretty new to the swimbait game myself.

Targeting Smallmouth 98% of the time.

Have been throwing the 6" Savage Gear RTF and the 6" Huddleston Deluxe and gained confidence in both recently. The Savage Gear comes with a stinger setup, the Hudd is a straight jig hook.

Hookup to bite ratio is higher with the stingers. Fish in the net ratio is higher with the stingers as well. From what I have seen anyways.

That being said, when my PB hit the Savage Gear RTF all the way to the jig hook and I got her in the net...all I could think was ""Not Allowed" I hope that stinger is not in her gills". They were not, she was fine. But it would have completely ruined the experience if I ended up killing that fish.

After that, I retired that bait and started throwing the Hudd.

I found I lost more fish, but I was never worried about sticking them in the gills either. I agree now that the fish you are truly after will not require stingers, just a solid hook set, all the skill you have and a bit of luck.

The Savage Gear is still a sick bait, could totally clip the stinger wire and fish it with just the jig hook, easy enough to add it back if you feel it is necessary.