little traces

[Fat Pat]

I have looked around a bit for small traces to suit sprats by which I mean with a short gap between the trebles cause I am worried the fish would swallow a small bait quickly. Has anyone experienced this problem? I have actualy shortened my traces with the proper gear replacing the end treble with a size 8 carp hook to support on the cast so only one treble sticks out near the tail, comments good or bad would be appreciated.

[Fishing Forum Admin]

I find that you have too make a wire trace for pike fishing if your useing small bait , making your own traces is fun to.

[BoldBear]

I always make my own traces and if I'm using a bait such as a Spratt I use a large single hook with a pinched down barb so that the barb is only a bump.
I haven't caught any less Pike than before I used singles. I wouldn't shorten the length of my traces as I'm sure the pike could severe the line above the trace occasionally if too short.
If I am using large baits I may use trebles but only the hook point that is inserted into the deadbait has a small barb (usually pinched)

[Fat Pat]

Richard thamks for the link will read it a few times and pick up some gear.

Hi BoldBear thanks for the tip it would seem that I'm not the only one who has this problem, when I said shorten my trace I meant only from the higher treble to the end, not the overall length of trace after the top treble. Still the fact that you use singles really intrigues me as I am struggling to understand why we use trebles alot of the time they seem a little like over kill ( is it in relation to the strength of the fish and the size of its mouth?) A little more info on what type of hook and size for a single would be a generous tip gratefully recieved.

Maybe Richard could you look at extending your excellent article on rig making to include different traces for different situations?

Thanks again to you both.