Feathered Trebles on Jerkbaits

Rooger · Post by **Rooger** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:34 pm

Getting ready for my annual Canadian trip and gearing up - hard! A thought came to mind while putting new hooks on my hardbaits. Some of my suspending (or even floating for that matter) jerkbaits have a feathered treble on the tail. On the pause, the hook sinks. I was thinking that a more natural presentation might be had if the tail treble suspended straight out from the bait rather than sink.

Is this overkill, or has anyone tried to use foam or some other flotation to keep the tail hook level with the bait? If so, I'd love some ideas on best ways to do it - what to use, where on the hook would avoid interfering with the hook set, etc., eh!

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 4:28 am

I don't know if there's anything you can add to a feathered treble for buoyancy that wouldn't affect it's action.
It's easy to overwhelm the action of a jerk bait by having too big a feathered treble.
I tie my own feathered trebles, and add mylar and other stuff for more flash.
I carry sissors and trim down the feathers until it doesn't affect the action.
I think length of the feathers isn't as important as how they look when moved. Many of my most effective lures have the feather/mylar trimmed to just past the hook itself.
I've found, for bigger baits, like the Lunker Punker, there is enough lure to overcome any resistance a feathered treble might add, but smaller lures, both top waters and small hard jerkbaits, are very sensitive to how much resistence a feathered treble adds.
To me, they are an attractant, and a trigger when they move after the pause. Flash on the jerk is the key.
I think feathered trebles are really for baits that are moved a lot.
I don't think it's an accident that Staycees don't come with feathers.
They are a deeper, more suspending jerkbait that is paused a lot, and they don't have a feathered treble.

gofish42189 · Post by **gofish42189** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 6:57 am

I like the little bit of action that the feather creates after the lure has stopped. It looks a little more lifelike to me. I also tie my own feathers and will agree that the size of the feather will change the lures action.

Rooger · Post by **Rooger** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:37 pm

mp & gofish - thanks for your input! I'll do what we all do - experiment and let you know when I get back.

Can't wait to go and what's really cool is the NHL playoffs are on while we're there. The guys that work the docks at our camp love hockey (no sh!+) and always come up to our cabin to watch the games when they get all the boats put away for the night. It's great to hear their perspective on the game, eh? GO BLACKHAWKS!

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Sat May 01, 2010 1:48 am

Hockey is an exciting sport for sure.
"He shoots, he SCORES!" You gotta love Bob Miller.
Good luck.

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Sat May 01, 2010 3:26 am

I think a suspending jerkbait with a short bill and a wiggle action, like a Rogue, definately benefits from the feathers if you're using a jerk or twitch and let it sit for a while retrieve. I believe the feathers act like a parachute and help stop the bait more abruptly so it actually stops and sits still longer.

If you tie your own hooks and want to add bouyancy, why not try a piece or two of living rubber tied to the shank inside the feathers? As long as the rubber points straight back and isn't too long it shouldn't impact the action too much and will add a bit more bouyancy to the hook.