Singles on tops?

[imhammer]

Does anyone use single hooks on tops? What size/type hooks do you use? There are lots of advantages that I can see, and the only disadvantage I see would seem to be hook-up ratio. The biggest advantages to me would be that there aren't as many points to hook yourself with while taking a fish off and C&R would be much easier on the fish. You would also be less likely to catch grass and other obstacles.
I have been told and read that the hook-up ratio is the same or better with singles, which is hard for me to believe given you have a much better chance of hooking something with 3x the points.
I had a few tops that needed new hooks, so I changed 4 of them (my favorie colors) to singles to try them out. I used 2/0 owner, which seem kinda small on the larger tops, but we will see shortly how it works out!
I am leaving for Austin in the morning for a spring break weekend away and my wife and kids are staying all week. I will be on the water Mon - Thurs and should have an opportunity to see how these work. Hopefully I can just fish with that 1 lure the whole time like Scott wants to try!

Here is a pic of one I changed out tonight....Sorry for the bad pic, but you get the point.

[caz]

i fish top water 90% of them time, i got one rod that never changes from anything but topwater (only thing i change is color)... i have two topwaters that have single hooks and the only time i use them is if there's floating grass and stuff in the water, thats the only advantage to using them that ive encountered...of all the times ive used them, i dont agree with the ratio improving using them or using red treble hooks improving the hook ratio (most of them rust alot easier also).. there is noting like a topwwater bite though, i love it more than anything.. if you do use them though, you have to get your sizes right so they dont latch on to each other.. also after looking at your pic, i put two splint rings on the back only, single on the front.. make sure both splint ring sizes are the same, when they rust one of them will have an easier time breaking through the other..

[imhammer]

I used the double split ring because the owner has the eye turned sideways and if I didn't the hook would sit sideways.
I fish tops the majority of the time also and spend lots of time in grassy areas in the summer, so I think this will be a bonus.

i fish top water 90% of them time, i got one rod that never changes from anything but topwater (only thing i change is color)... i have two topwaters that have single hooks and the only time i use them is if there's floating grass and stuff in the water, thats the only advantage to using them that ive encountered...of all the times ive used them, i dont agree with the ratio improving using them or using red treble hooks improving the hook ratio (most of them rust alot easier also).. there is noting like a topwwater bite though, i love it more than anything.. if you do use them though, you have to get your sizes right so they dont latch on to each other.. also after looking at your pic, i put two splint rings on the back only, single on the front.. make sure both splint ring sizes are the same, when they rust one of them will have an easier time breaking through the other..

[007]

I used the double split ring because the owner has the eye turned sideways and if I didn't the hook would sit sideways.
I fish tops the majority of the time also and spend lots of time in grassy areas in the summer, so I think this will be a bonus.

Kenny rigs his with the hooks facing backwards so it will be less likely to snag anything.

[GHSmacker]

I've never used them, but i've read several articles about switching over. A few of the places i fish later in the year are loaded up with grass, so this could actually be a good option to use on a couple of topwaters. That would be about the only time i ever use them though.

[kenny]

Kenny rigs his with the hooks facing backwards so it will be less likely to snag anything.

Especially fish!

[imhammer]

Both Backwards??

It would be difficult to hook a fish with the hook laying against the body! I don't see that working.

Especially fish!

[kenny]

Not really. On SS jr.s I use #1 or #2 live bait hooks with the welded ring. Forward or backward doesn't matter. When a trout blows up on it it'll get hooked.....or not.
I use them for fishing grass. I also put single #3 hooks sometimes on my Corky devils backwards when fishing heavy shell.

[imhammer]

So you do put the front hook facing the rear?? I may try that for the grass this summer if that is true.