Originally Posted By: eyeFISH
Three hooks?

The front hook is just there to tow the bait... in my experience, it rarely ever catches the fish. It's just basically there to hold the bait.

It's infinitely more likely that the second hook is the one that's gonna catch the fish.

Sorry to dispute this, but in my experience the front hook catches about 90% of the fish I bring into my boat. The trailing hook is usually in the fish's throat with the rest of the herring.