Terminal Tackle 101: Treble Hooks Explained

The best Treble Hooks not only help you catch more fish, but they also inflict less harm to the fish when hooked up.

What are treble hooks used for?

Treble hooks for sale in Australia are used for both bait fishing and can be attached to lures.

How do I choose a treble hook to use?

When choosing the correct treble hooks for a lure, the key two things to look for are the hooks hanging together and the size of the hooks affecting the action of the lure in the water.
With all of the many sizes, shapes, and styles of treble hooks available at Davos Tackle, you may be wondering, "How do I choose the right treble hook?" 

The main consideration when choosing on the best size of treble hook to use is the size of the fish you intend to catch. Small panfish, for example, will struggle to bite onto a 1/0 treble hook, whereas a monster fish will have no trouble. If you're getting bites on a frequent basis but can't seem to land a fish, consider reducing the hook size. If that doesn't work, try increasing the hook size and going back out there.

Treble Hook Terminology

• Shank: The hook 'shank' is the relatively straight length of metal above where the fishing hooks begin to bend outwards. The shank will vary in size according on the hook size, but it will always be the same form.

• Eye: The hook shank of treble hooks is divided into three sections below the eye. The hook's 'eye' is the closed-off hole area at the top of the treble where it is fastened to a fishing line or lure with the help of a split ring. Despite having three of practically everything, trebles only have one eye. As the hook size rises, the eye thickens and may require a larger split ring to hold it to the lure.

• Bend: The 'bend' of the hook refers to the physical curved segment of the hook. Treble Hooks in Australia normally have three separate bends that are all the same size and form, while there are certain styles that have varying sized bends and spaces.

• Gap: The 'gap' is the space between the hook point and the shank. The spacing of a hook varies widely amongst treble styles. Once the point of the hook has located the sweet spot in the fish, the gap is responsible for keeping the fish in place.

• Barb: While certain baitholder fishing hooks do not include a 'barb,' the majority of trebles possess barbs. A hook's barb is a little sharp-angled piece of metal located directly beneath the hook tip and facing the opposite direction of the point. Barbs on fishing hooks are used to keep the hook from sliding out of the fish's mouth, though many fisherman clamp down their barbs in the hopes of causing less damage to the fish during the battle. Barbed trebles have one barb on each shank for a total of three barbs.

• Point: The hook's 'point' is the precisely sharpened end of the hook. When the fish bites on it, this is the part that enters the fish's mouth. All trebles have three distinct points, increasing the angler's chances of hooking up following a strike. Fishing hook points can grow dull with repeated usage, so stay on top of regular sharpening maintenance.

Treble Hook Styles Available at Davos Tackle

Not all treble hooks are built the same. Each bend, gap and point shape is specifically engineered to serve a purpose based on an angler's situational needs. Experimenting with different treble styles can result in more fish in the net, especially if you replace the generic trebles on your favourite lure with something a little more advanced and built for the occasion

• Standard Shank Treble Fishing Hooks

Trebles with a standard shank have a shank that is proportionate to the bend and gap of the hook.
Standard shank trebles are ideal for larger-sized lures since the fishing hooks are less likely to become entangled. The regular size shank lowers the hook into the water for more efficient hookups.

• Short Shank Treble Fishing Hooks 

Trebles with a short shank have the same gap and bend as "normal" trebles, but with a shorter shank.
The shorter shank allows the treble, or hooks, to sit snug against the lure during a retrieve while keeping the design low-profile. This is especially handy when fishing in weedy or overgrown regions where snagging is a risk.
Short shank trebles are less likely to become entwined when used on a small crankbait or a micro lure after a curious fish comes in for a bite, which reduces the risk of snagging an undesirable branch or other debris.

• Treble Round Bend Fishing Hooks

Round bend type treble hooks, having a uniformly round bend, as opposed to regular trebles, which have a slightly oval bend. The hook tip may stick straight up towards the eye rather than slightly inclined outwards due to the circular shape.
Straightened out hook tips are more successful at snagging curious fish living in the depths of your local river or lake, making this a perfect option to employ when the fish are not fully committing to the strike.

• Extra-Wide Gap Treble Hooks

Extra-wide gap trebles protrude further away from the lure, allowing for faster hooksets while securely holding an irate fish in place. The hook tips are slanted back towards the eye of the hook due to the wider gap.
By "locking" the hook in place, this hook angle prevents the fish from spitting it  out. Because the extra-wide gap trebles stretch out further away from the lure, they are more likely to become snagged.

Treble Hooks vs Single Hooks

When it comes to fishing, there are numerous hooks available to buy. The sort of hook you use can make a major impact depending on the type of fish you're attempting to capture and the bait you're using. Trebles are frequently employed for larger bait because they provide additional surface area for the bait. They're also less prone to come loose when trying to reel in fish. Trebles, on the other hand, might be more difficult to dislodge from the fish's mouth and are more likely to catch on other items in the water. 
For both small and large fish, single hooks are commonly used since they are easier to remove and less prone to snag. They do, however, give less surface area for attaching the bait. Single hooks can be effective for catching very big fish as the hook has a large gap size.

Finally, the sort of hook you use is determined by the situation and the type of fish you're attempting to catch.