Slow Death Hooks

I ordered some slow death hooks, size 4, for trout trolling this winter.  After seeing Cal Kellogg's videos, and a few threads here, I figured lets give it a go.  Size 4 seemed to be about the right size for about 3" or so grubs, worms, etc.  I think I have some 3" pearl grubs, those might be the first try.

Seems like standard rigging is either behind some beads/spinners like a wedding ring setup, just a grub or worm behind a flasher, or just a grub or worm without any attractors.

I tried a wedding ring a little bit last year in the east bay reservoirs, but didn't have any luck with them.  Might have been the color choices though - I did catch quite a few fish on Rooster tails in different colors.  Could also be a timing thing; maybe I was trying bait imitators too early in the season. 

Also thinking about scent.  Pro-cure something would probably easiest, but I might do some tuna soaked corn too.  Maybe soak the grubs in the tuna corn? 

Be sure to use a quality bead chain or else they will twist your line big time!

Be sure to use a quality bead chain or else they will twist your line big time!

Yes!  Kinda thinking about doubling up the bead chains, and/or adding a rudder to force the swivel to do it's job. 

I am happy with the Seps bead chain swivel and 3ft 4lb leader with palomar knot.  I like to cast this out a ways on my ultralight spinning setup and then do the slowest of trolls where I think fish are holding.  Have caught a bunch of fish this way.  For faster trolling I tried a 1/4oz keel weight to the seps bead chain swivel and it worked out for going a bit faster, but no matter what it's gonna be slow.

I am happy with the Seps bead chain swivel and 3ft 4lb leader with palomar knot.  I like to cast this out a ways on my ultralight spinning setup and then do the slowest of trolls where I think fish are holding.  Have caught a bunch of fish this way.  For faster trolling I tried a 1/4oz keel weight to the seps bead chain swivel and it worked out for going a bit faster, but no matter what it's gonna be slow.

Yep, I was thinking slow would be better with these. Keel weight is a good idea too, thanks for that. Kinda thinking maybe a 3 way swivel instead of a sliding weight would work too. All good ideas to force the rotation through the swivel and not up into the main line.

I usually thread a gulp minnow on a slow death hook. Lots of scent in them.

I usually thread a gulp minnow on a slow death hook. Lots of scent in them.

Good call.  Do you use the split tail ones, or the grubs? 

I usually thread a gulp minnow on a slow death hook. Lots of scent in them.

Good call.  Do you use the split tail ones, or the grubs?

The straight/split tail ones. Grubs (curly tails) have  plenty of action on their own from the tail. If I want more action out of a swimming grub I’ll put a dodger or wiggle disk in front of it. I prefer to use the slow death hooks on straight tail offerings.

I usually thread a gulp minnow on a slow death hook. Lots of scent in them.

Good call.  Do you use the split tail ones, or the grubs?

The straight/split tail ones. Grubs (curly tails) have  plenty of action on their own from the tail. If I want more action out of a swimming grub I’ll put a dodger or wiggle disk in front of it. I prefer to use the slow death hooks on straight tail offerings.

Right on, will give it a try!  I feel like for trolling there is a fine line between not enough action and too much action, and it takes some trial and error to find that perfect balance.  Haven't fished too many places that don't stock trout from the same hatchery, but I imagine there is some variance for location also.  Looking forward to giving this a go and seeing what I can come up with.  Thanks for sharing some hints!

Procure Garlic is my go to scent at EB Park lakes. Do a "shadow cliff" search for old reports.

Procure Garlic is my go to scent at EB Park lakes. Do a "shadow cliff" search for old reports.

Sweet, thank you for this! I have some garlic scent, just gotta remember to bring it with me, haha.

I just ordered some of the Super Death hooks that are made for plastics. Wonder if they are about the same? They look a little stronger.

I just ordered some of the Super Death hooks that are made for plastics. Wonder if they are about the same? They look a little stronger.

Oh yeah, those do seem like they are a little stouter.  Kinda curious to see them side by side now.