Since their has been much debate on the mooching leader thread I thought I'd ask a follow up question regarding hoochie leaders.

How do you rig your hoochies? how far apart spacing, what size hooks, leader lb etc etc. Lets hear those opinions.

I typically use a Silver Horde Gold star 4 1/4 inch hoochie. Run a short (24-26 inch) 40lb leader to two 4/0 hooks with enough spacing to allow the second hook to sit within 1/4 inch of the end of the skirt, I also use a small glow bead between them and a "gum pucky" inside the head

I run 40 lb Maxima clear for the leader and tie 2 egg loops about 1 and 1/2" to 2" apart. I use size 4/0 or 5/0 hooks, either Owner, Gami, or Matzuo sickles. Lately I have been leaning to the Sickles. I almost exclusively use the 4.5" squid, but also run Ace-Hi's on the same setup. If I run the needlefish style squid I go a little smaller on the hook. Leader length is usually always the same, 2 and 3/4 wraps around a 11" flasher, so roughly 36".

Ryley says my stuff is too light, 25# flurocarbon, 2/0 3/0 black gamagatsu, about the width of my hand apart. I don't remember loosing a fish due too breakage, but it's been awhile since I have seen anything as big as the native I released 7/23.

Watching this thread with great interest ...

24' of 50# Maxima leader, 4/0 Gami octo black trailer 2.5" to a 5/0 Gami octo black top hook. 36 Puget Sound kings fell to that set-up in July.

I'll bet there's more to that than just hook spacing.

!8-36" (let the fish decide) of 40lb-60lb... hooks, 3 small glow corkies in between 4/0 for kings works...
This guy will vouche for that...

The heavier the leader the more action you get on your hoochie.

Corollary:

The shorter the leader, the more action you get on your hootchie.

Bottom line.... short and stiff definitely has its merits when running a hootchie/flasher setup.

As to the spacing.... far enough to get the trailing hook eye an inch or more away from the tips of the tentacles.

Then amputate the useless point off the top hook!

The trailer is the one that's gonna catch 95-plus % of the fish anyway. With the "hangback" trailer they will virtually all be hooked outside in, nearly eliminating the risk of a mortal hooking wound. Also makes the hook infinitely more accessible to an elegant and efficient no touch quick-release.

If it's a keeper, having only one hook virtually eliminates the risk of a botched net job. You will never prematurely snag the mesh before a fish's head goes all the way to the bottom of bag! NEVER! The only hook point you have to worry about is already buried in the fish's jaws.

Moreover, the hootchie will act more natural and lifelike without hooks getting in the way of it's inherently tantalizing tentacular action. Also cuts down on some of the weight allowing your kicker flasher to "kick" the squid around with a bit more oomph.

Take it to the bank!

Fact.

60lb Test 22-34 inch leader, 5/0 sickles, beads between hooks for protection and bling, as shown.



Heavier leaders also help when Chinook slap the bait with their tail or mouth by not breaking off under the duress of a heavy strike. I've seen far too many hits take a ace-hi or hoochy clean off to run less than 60. Sure you can land bigger fish with smaller test, but a Chinook's initial strike can break thinner material.

40# ultra green and about 1.5"-2" spacing between hooks 4/0-5/0,add beads like said above howerver it's not needed.Good luck,
SZ

As someone who apparently is just an "information gatherer", I can only say:

Listen to your Captain.

Sorry about today, Dave. Get that bad juju luck outta your systems today! Start fresh tomorrow! See you out there on Friday!

24 feet of 50# Maxima leader gives a whole new meaning to hangback.

Good catch!