Snubbers for trout trolling

In a recent fishing report from Del Valle, it was recommended to me that I use a snubber to improve my hookup rate. I've been looking at snubbers and I'm wondering where they should be placed: before my flashers, or after the flashers but before my leader.

The snubbers I'm seeing are either bright red or bright green, and my instinct is that they should be no where near my lure. Any thoughts?

I NEVER had any luck with them, nary a strike.  It's been awhile since I last used one but I believe I placed my snubber between the flasher and leader.  I suppose it wasn't in the right place which would explain why I never got any strikes.

The snubbers I used had plain cream or off-white colored surgical type tubing.  After searching online, I know now what you're talking about.  They come in crazy colors.  I saw some, of all places, at West Marine in Palo Alto in the off-white color.

Good luck.

Michael

well, for small fish, or small attractors, you don't need a snubber, imo. I think they are mostly employed to prevent a large fish from snapping the leader on the strike by pulling the leader against the water resistance of the a set of big flashers or large dodger.

big fish on one end, big set of flashers/dodger on the other end with leader between them. you do the math. but you probably aren't dragging a big set of cowbells or 8" dodger around...

I don't think it's so much about setting the hook or keeping the fish on after hooking. that's what your rod and drag system is for.

if you really want to use them putting it between the lure and attractor will allow it to do its job more easily as the fish is not pulling the attractor through the water on the strike before the snubber goes into action.

personally, until you get your line broken, I would forgo a snubber. and if that does happen, get a longer softer rod and use a lighter drag first.  I know that GB2 and ken kickfish use them and I have tried one myself, just don't think they are necessary for how we fish.

J

I'm using a 7' UL with 4lb test, which I really enjoy fishing with. I often use the same rod for casting trout lures and it has been perfect.

The problem I was having at Del Valle was that I got lots of monster hits that never stuck. After fishing all day, I would say that I easily had at least 4 strong hits for every fish that actually stuck. The hits were strong enough that they would nearly double the rod over and rip one or two feet of drag. But, by the time I got the rod in my hands, the fish would be gone.

It was suggested that perhaps the fish were hitting hard enough that they were ripping the lure out of their mouth and that a snubber might prevent that from happening.

I've trout fished all my life and never had this happen while throwing lures and setting the hook hard. But I'm new to trolling, so I'm relying upon the advice of others at this point. BTW, all of these take downs occurred while trolling with J5 Rapalas with brand new hooks. I'm really at a loss to figure out why so many serious strikes failed to produce hookups. 

Sounds like this was just one day and not an acculation of days or am I wrong?  If it is the former, I would be more inclined to dismiss it as a bad day, but that's just me.  However if it continues to happen or has continued to happen, then I would consider taking action.

What was the depth of the water you were fishing?  Could it be attributed to bumping along the bottom?

I too have a 7' noodle but rarely do I get a strike and not end up with a fish on the other end.  Landing the fish on the other hand is a different story. 

Quite an interesting dilema you face FJ.  Wish I had the tried and true answer.

Michael

Trolling w/ lures is pretty interesting that way J. I think JM is right in that snubbers are really only more for large fish. That being said, I've caught plenty of large fish w/o one and never had a line snap. I've personally never had a good hookup with one. Kinda gimmicky if you ask me.

Z

Kinda gimmicky if you ask me.

Agreed!!

FJ, I use the same setup, a 7' koke rod with 4lb test. it also bends over double with almost any hit.

I have used a lot of grubs and threaded worms on single hooks and landed most of them.

my hookup rate with treble hooked lures is a little lower, but not too bad.

So you might have an issue with dull hooks. use a file and sharpen before you go.

sometimes the hooks dull over time from oxidation or just come dull in the package, or get dulled
by handling, etc.

I find sharpening tiny trebles is not so easy.

To answer your question, it goes line, flasher or dodger, snubber, leader, lure/bait.  Take it and keep it in your tackle box.  If you catch fish without it, great.  If you loose that 10 pounder, try it the next time.

Thanks for the advice!

I was trolling the lure only about 5' deep, often in 30 FOW or more, so I'm sure they were strikes and not the bottom. But, I've only been trolling 3 times now, and only had my trouble the one day. Maybe it was just an off day. I'll pick up a snubber and maybe give it a shot if I have the same trouble again. I might also change out the hooks with Owners or Gamakatsu's. I was considering putting a VMC sure-set hook on the tail of Rapalas just for kicks.

To troll for trout, I was told to keep my clicker on and, when it starts singing, take 1-3 strong paddle strokes before trying to grab the rod. Supposedly, that tug helps set the hook. Maybe it's myth? Don't know, but it has worked for me.

I've also tried snubbers--yeah, I think they are gimmicky, too. I carry them but rarely pull them out of my collection of bling. What can I say? Fish and women like the shiny stuff!

Janice aka "Big J"

The only time I use snubbers are for small kokes because they will tear the hook out of their mouth. Otherwise never found a need to use a snubber.

-Brian G

I only use snubbers on downriggers, not when pulling plugs. I think hookups are a combination of several variables...

Rod, line, lure, hook, speed of presentation and of course luck. 

Snubbers are something to try but the other variables are probably more important, IMO, particularly the hooks. Rapala hooks are OK, gamakatsu and owner are better.

traditionally, snubbers are placed between the attractor and the leader as previously mentioned.

Scott

I think hookups are a combination of several variables...  Rod, line, lure, hook, speed of presentation and of course luck. 

I started using a snubber after losing six fish on six hits.  I was using 7’ casting rods which had medium heavy power, fast action, and fluorocarbon line.  With this setup, going to the snubber increased my landing ratio to 33%, then 50% (but then again, maybe I was starting to figure it out), so under those circumstances, I think it softened the strike and helped.  I just bought a new 7’6” rod, light power, medium action and braid line.  I will not be using a snubber with that setup. 

So you might have an issue with dull hooks. use a file and sharpen before you go.

sometimes the hooks dull over time from oxidation or just come dull in the package, or get dulled
by handling, etc.

JM busted the same advice on me last spring when my trolling hits weren't sticking at Lexington.  Sharp hook points really helped.  You never want dull hooks, but for trolling, its' especially important.