If I spend a lot of time getting a fish to take my lure, I like the best possible odds to hook and bring that fish into the boat. Some of the ways to increase your odds are to use an adequate number and size of hook for the lure and fish your are fishing, keep your hooks sharp and tuned for hooking power, and to add a stinger hook whenever possible to increase hooking odds for short-striking fish. The following procedure may be used to place a stinger hook on most plastic lures.

1. Obtain a large threading needle and cut a notch one side of the eye.

2. Tie a piece of braided line to the stinger hook and then measure the leader to the main lure hook and tie a loop on the braided leader.

3. Place the braided loop in the needle eye.

4. Thread the needle through the plastic lure from tail to lure hook and pull the loop out and over the lure hook.

5. Run a separate piece of line through the braided loop and then around the lure hook and tie it off to prevent the loop from slipping off the lure hook.

I am sensing that many of you guys are preparing for the spring season; however, I know some of you have never stopped, and for you it is just a continuation of what you love best. Best fishing this new year.