Stinger Hook - My Version

[Crabman]

Been muskie fishing with friends in Minnesota and saw a version of a stinger they use and it's one that I have been using for a while. You can use any line type you feel like. Some work better than others. I like using braid. Depending on your crimp size, you can decide which you like. I use an AFW .047" or 1.19mm crimp but there are many different companies that make small crimps in .8mm, 1.0mm, and 1.2mm. BTW, I do not like using the AFW on mono or fluoro because they might have teeth inside the crimp that damages the mono. Also, I personally like using braid because it's not stiff. I use many different pound tests. My go-to is 80lb and yes many will say that's too heavy but it works for me and this discussion. As I said, there are many different leader materials you can use. It's the sliding crimp that's most important. So with that said, here goes.

I take a piece of braid and make an overhand granny knot with the loop as long as I want the stinger to sit back. Pull tight and snip off the tags. Roll the end of the loop in your fingers and stick it through the crimp. Now the important part. Find a pair of crimpers that will only crimp enough to tighten the crimp so it will still slide with tension. Although I have a huge assortment of crimpers for this, my electrical crimpers work best for me. Again, don't over-crimp. That's it. I put the knot side on through the eye, over the hook, and give it a twist and loop it again. Put the crimp loop over the jig hook or teaser hook, pull tight, and you're ready to fish. When you want to remove the stinger, pull on the crimp and open the loop.

 

[Leprechaun]

Thank you Crabman. This would be perfect for a long strip bait, or a smelt. Do they still sell smelts at the local supermarket? Used to be quite the bait, back in the day.

 

[Crabman]

Thanks, Lep. Depending on the size of your loop, I use this stinger for many baits both short and long. I especially like it for squid or belly meat. I even use it at times with the right size bait on my teaser hook. As you can see, I adopted your bucktail idea and recently bought a bunch of both ball and spro bare jigs from HTLures. Also, thanks for your suggestion on the lower gear ratio on the Tranx 150. I'm very happy with my Grappler/Tranx combination. It weighs in at 11oz. Perfect for 1.5oz. and lighter jigs although it will handle 2oz.. Went to 3oz., and it worked but I would rather use my Grappler spinner for 3oz. and up.

 

[Captain Rock]

Plain 20lb mono with a loop and hook snelled attached to the eye of the bucktail will do the job too.